Reverse Engineer Liberty

Every person in prison has one thing in common: they want out. And most want to live successfully after release. Unfortunately, statistics and reality show a different story. Too many people go in with hope, but come out into a world they’re unprepared for.

Let me tell you about a man I met—a surgeon. A white-collar professional with more degrees than most people ever earn. When he got to the halfway house, he believed that returning to a respectable life would be easy. After all, he was a doctor. But reality hit hard. The rules said he couldn’t transition to home confinement unless he had a job. Simple, right?

Not so fast.

He applied everywhere. No one would hire him—not because he lacked skill, but because he had too much of it and a felony record. Employers didn’t want to train someone “overqualified” with a conviction. In the end, the only job he could get? Working at a 7-Eleven, ringing up gum and cigarettes across the street from the hospital where he used to be chief surgeon.

That kind of humiliation stings. But it also teaches us a lesson: hope is not a plan.

🎓 Lesson: Reverse Engineer Your Comeback

You must start preparing for success from the moment your journey begins. You can’t just “wait it out.” Success doesn’t come from finishing your sentence—it comes from building the skills, mindset, and plan that will carry you forward after release.

One person who understood this is Joshua Smith. He went to federal prison at 20 for a drug offense. While incarcerated, he found faith—but he also found purpose. He surrounded himself with mentors, white-collar guys who helped him understand the game. He got an education. He started building something.

After release, Josh built a business that eventually sold for tens of millions. More importantly, he gave back—he went into prisons, mentored others, and now serves as a deputy director at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He was even granted a presidential pardon.

His story proves what’s possible. But it also proves something deeper:

👉 You don’t rise from the ashes unless you start gathering wood while you’re still in the fire.

🧭 Self-Advocacy Guide: How to Reverse Engineer Success

We teach a concept called reverse engineering. Think like Theseus in Greek mythology. He entered a deadly maze to kill the minotaur—but before he went in, he tied a string to his ankle so he could find his way back out.

You’ve got to do the same.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Define Your Outcome: What does success look like for YOU? A job? A business? A new life?
   
   
2. Create a Roadmap: Work backwards from that goal. What steps get you there?
   
   
3. Prioritize Your Daily Actions: Every decision should move you closer to that goal.
   
   
4. Develop Tools & Tactics: Learn. Read. Write. Build. Every tool you forge inside will help you outside.
   
   
5. Join a Support System: Visit our sponsor’s free webinar to get real guidance and answers. You’re not alone.
   
   

🧱 PROJECT: BUILDING YOUR PROFILE

At PrisonProfessorsTalent.com, we help you put your story to work. It's free. It's yours. Use it.

• ✍️ Biography – Tell the story that defines your future, not your past.
  
  
• 📔 Journal – Document your growth, mindset, and progress.
  
  
• 📚 Book Reports – Prove your commitment to learning.
  
  
• 🧭 Release Plan – Map out where you’re going and how you’ll get there.
  
  
• 🌟 Testimonials – Ask mentors or educators to vouch for your progress.
  
  

📓 REFLECTION JOURNAL PROMPT

What would your “string” be—the one thing that keeps you focused and grounded as you work your way out of the prison maze?

🔍 SAMPLE RESPONSE (in Michael’s voice)

When I started my sentence, I tied my “string” to a vision of freedom through education and contribution. I knew I wouldn’t be employable, so I built my identity around being a creator, a communicator, a teacher. That kept me grounded through 26 years. And it’s what helped me climb out with purpose.

💬 QUOTE TO REMEMBER

“You don't rise from the ashes unless you start gathering wood while you're still in the fire.” – Michael Santos

🧠 SELF-DIRECTED QUESTIONS

1. What career or contribution would bring you meaning and dignity after release?
   
   
2. How can you use your time today to build credibility for tomorrow?
   
   
3. What resources or mentors do you have access to now that could shape your plan?
   
   
4. How do you define success in your own life—and how will you measure it?
   
   

What can you do this week to show future employers or partners that you are different from your past?