Hey everyone,

I've been reflecting on my journey of transformation, and I wanted to share it here; not just as words, but as a story I can see unfolding in the photos I've collected over the years. Those images stare back at me like snapshots of two different lives: the man who walked through these prison gates and the one emerging today. It's a reminder that change isn't abstract; it's etched in the lines of our faces, the strength in our postures, and the light in our eyes.

When I first arrived, I made a solemn promise to myself: drugs were done. No more chasing shadows or numbing the edges of a life unraveling. But the real adventure, the part that hooked me; was the deep dive into who I truly am. I'd heard others talk about this "self-discovery" phase before, and honestly, I'd roll my eyes, dismissing it as prison clichés. That is, until it hit me. Suddenly, I was the one peeling back layers, asking questions I'd spent years avoiding.

I started small but intentional. Fitness became my anchor, not just for physical health, but as a gateway to healthier habits overall. I enrolled in every class I could, from cognitive behavioral therapy to conflict resolution, and threw myself into group activities that built real connections. And here's the wild part: I discovered I crave community. As a young man on the outside, that pull never registered; I was too busy running solo, building walls instead of bridges. Now? It's magnetic. It's the shared laughter in a workout session, that sense of belonging lit a fire in me.

From there, my passion crystallized: helping others rebuild their lives through education and fitness. I saw how a single certification or a solid workout routine could spark hope, rewrite narratives, and turn "stuck" into "starting over." It fueled me to invest in my own growth, turning personal betterment into a toolkit for lifting others up.

Here's a glimpse of what I've earned along the way:

• 7 Habits

• Restorative Justice

• Restorative Impact

• Victim Offender Dialog

• Thinking for a Change

• Freedom Service Dog- K9 Training Dog Program

• CrossFit Coach

• Certified Nutritionist

• CPR & AED Certified

• Certified Personal Trainer

• Fitness Coach

• Specialist in Strength & Conditioning

• Tactical Conditioning Specialist

• FAST program

These aren't just credentials on paper; they're proof that by sharpening my own edges, I've gained the power to guide others toward paths I once couldn't even see. For the first time, I feel equipped, not just with knowledge, but with the maturity to wield it. Looking back at my old self, I see a stranger: shallow, adrift, chasing purpose in all the wrong places. Embarrassment stings, and shame lingers like an old bruise. But here's the truth I've claimed: I haven't wasted a single day inside these walls. Every hardship has been a hammer and anvil, forging me into someone I'm finally proud of.

I can't erase the past; its scars are permanent. But it doesn't get to script my future. All I can do is show up as this version of me: the neighbor folks are glad to have on the block, the son parents can embrace without reservation, the partner a wife can cherish as lover and soulmate. I pray my actions now; the quiet consistencies, the genuine shifts; earn me that second chance.

Thank you, Ryan Stone