Course

TRIUMPH: Building Bridges to Success (Part 1 of 2)

Transform your time in prison into a powerful stepping stone to a fulfilling and successful life. Drawing from personal experience and proven strategies, Michael Santos—who served 26 years in federal prison—created this comprehensive self-directed workbook to empower you with the mindset, tools, and actionable steps essential for building a meaningful future beyond incarceration.

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TRIUMPH: Building Bridges to Success (Volume 1)

Transform your time in prison into a powerful stepping stone to a fulfilling and successful life.

Drawing from personal experience and proven strategies, Michael Santos—who served 26 years in federal prison—created this comprehensive self-directed workbook to empower you with the mindset, tools, and actionable steps essential for building a meaningful future beyond incarceration.

Inside this workbook, you'll discover:

  • Practical Strategies: Learn methods to overcome obstacles, build resilience, and seize opportunities for growth—even within the limitations of prison.

  • Self-Reflection Exercises: Thought-provoking activities that foster critical thinking, enhance self-awareness, and prepare you for successful reentry.

  • Vocabulary Building: Expand your communication skills, increasing your potential to influence others positively, build meaningful relationships, and secure employment.

  • Real-Life Inspiration: Gain insights from historical leaders like Socrates, Frederick Douglass, and Viktor Frankl, whose resilience and determination offer powerful lessons for personal transformation.

Whether you're serving months or decades, the steps you take today determine your tomorrow. Equip yourself now with the skills and mindset needed to triumph upon release.

Begin building the bridge that will take you from incarceration to success. If your institution offers access to the accompanying video files, ask your administrator to connect with us at PrisonProfessors.org. We’ll provide links to our YouTube channel, or DVDs. 

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Michael Santos is the founder of Prison Professors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for justice-impacted individuals. He makes three promises: 1) He’ll always be truthful; 2) he’ll never ask anyone to do anything he didn’t do; 3) All resources on Prison Professors will always be free. All revenues from book sales go toward supporting the nonprofit’s mission. Visit PrisonProfessors.org for free resources, and follow us on social media to become part of the movement.

Supporting videos & Podcast EPISODES

Silicon Valley Ted
Corporate Events
Pioneer Industries
Fund Raisers
California Wellness
Keynotes
Prison Presentations
Prison Presentations
US Berkley 2013
Universities

Principles we teach

The origins of our self-directed courses began with readings of Socrates, Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandela, and modern leaders who teach us how to live as if we're the CEO of our life. To overcome any crisis, or build solutions, follow the principles of our Straight-A Guide.

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Attitude
Attitude
By adopting a values-based, goal-oriented mindset, I could more easily navigate the complexities of confinement. Instead of seeing all that was bad around me, I could find ways to conquer adversity and work toward a brighter future. It opened a better attitude, empowering me along the way. Attitude influences success.
Aspiration
Aspiration
During my sentencing hearing, I remember Judge Tanner telling me that I'd be an old man before I got out of prison. He sentenced me to 45-years. Life could have seemed bleak. Yet I returned to my solitary cell with a new vision. Leaders had taught me to focus on what I could control. Through reflection and aspiration, I found a path to purpose.
Action
Action
We should expect obstacles, but we can't allow them to define our path or limit our pursuit of success. The Straight-A Guide became my framework for persevering through challenges and obstacles, helping me focus on the action steps I could take each day, regardless of what adversity I had to endure. Take bold action steps to build success.
Accountability
Accountability
To transform our lives, we need tools that allow us to measure progress. Those tools, which we call our accountability metrics, empower transformation. While serving 26 years, accountability tools helped me take full ownership of my actions. They kept me moving toward the milestones I had to work toward each day.
Awareness
Awareness
To climb through adversity, we've got to keep our head in the game, staying aware of every opportunity around us. The more we think about what we're striving to build, the more aware we become of action steps we can take. Others become aware of our commitment, too, which creates a virtuous cycle of growth. Awareness opens opportunities to succeed.
Authenticity
Authenticity
To empower ourselves while climbing from adversity to success, we've got to be authentic. We don't grow confidence by talking. We have to take meaningful steps, adhering to a plan we established on our pathway to success. If we prioritize our actions, then develop our tools, tactics, and resources, our commitment becomes self-evident.
Achievement
Achievement
Incremental achievements can help anyone climb out of adversity and into a life of meaning, relevance, and dignity. We start by defining success, then lay out the plan with incremental steps. As we reach milestones, we grow our self-confidence. This strategy helped me grow stronger while serving 26 years in prison. Celebrate little achievements.
Appreciation
Appreciation
Adversity is part of life, and there will always be more. The 26 years I had to serve helped me learn how to appreciate the blessings of my life. Living in gratitude is a powerful tool for transformation. Even when living amidst challenges, we can open doors to hope and opportunity. Gratitude creates space for growth, resilience, and success.

Book reviews

Our books show that despite today's challenges, anyone can begin sowing seeds for a better future. Visit our books page. We recommend readers begin with Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term. Other books include self-directed exercises to prompt personal development through challenging times. [Reviews pulled from Amazon]

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Who we serve

We offer resources that people who are going through a crisis or challenge can use to recalibrate. It's never too early or too late to begin building pathways to a better outcome. Each individual can build a body of work that opens opportunities for the next phase, empowering them to live meaningful, contributing lives.

Incarcerated Learners

Get access to our lessons, books, or self-directed courses. Regardless of what staff do, you grow.

Correctional Facilities

Improve the culture of your facility, inspiring people to learn. Be the change you want to see.

Defense Attorneys and legal profession

Offering resources to help people develop assets for self-advocacy, building mitigation stories.

Family, loved ones, & Friends

Download daily lessons to inspire people in custody. Help them build self-confidence and prepare.

Videos
Our Books
Podcasts
Earning Freedom Video

Earning Freedom Video

Prison: My 8,344th Day

Prison: My 8,344th Day

Success after Prison

Success after Prison

Preparing for Success

Preparing for Success

Digital Economy

Digital Economy

See more videos
Earning Freedom
Prison: My 8,344th Day
Success after Prison
Preparing for Success after Prison
TRIUMPH: Building Bridges to Success (Part 1 of 2)
TRIUMPH: Building Bridges to Success (Part 2 of 2)
Digital Economy
Daily Journal, Volume 1
Daily Journal, Volume 2
Daily Journal, Volume 3
See more books
Earning Freedom

Earning Freedom

Prison: 8,344th Day

Prison: 8,344th Day

Success after Prison

Success after Prison

See more podcasts
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