When I first got here, time felt like it was crawling. Every day dragged, every hour felt like it would never end. But now that I’m at my halfway point — officially more time behind me than ahead — it’s surprising how much faster it all feels. Once you can see the finish line, the days don’t feel quite so endless.
One of the biggest surprises in here has been how much I’ve actually learned just by reading. I used to skim articles or catch the headlines and call it good. Now, with time on my hands and nowhere to be, I actually dig in. Books like Meditations and The Tao of Pooh have made me think differently about how I react to stuff — staying calm, choosing when to engage, when to let go. Quantum Field Theory and A Brief History of Time were a stretch for my brain, but they’ve helped me wrap my head around how weird and amazing the universe really is. Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. gave me a blueprint for how I might want to approach business when I get out — and The 48 Laws of Power showed me some of the games people play, both in here and out there. I never read the classics before, but knocking out Fahrenheit 451, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The Inferno gave me that sense that I’m catching up on something I missed. All this reading has done more than just pass the time — it’s changed how I think, what I value, and the kind of person I want to be.
Another big lesson is people. This is just a camp — we’re not exactly surrounded by hardened criminals — but it still teaches you about trust. There are people here who’d do anything for you, or at least give you a soup or commissary when you’re down. And there are others you’d think were stand-up guys who’d turn on you in a second if it helped them out. I’ve learned how to stand my ground more — before this, I’d just go along to get along. Now I push back when I need to.
Then there are the small victories, which never feel that small in here. My running is the big one: before prison, four miles was my max. Now I’m pushing eight miles nonstop and working toward that half marathon. Another win is all the books I’ve knocked out — actually finishing them, remembering them, and reading classics I used to roll my eyes at. It feels good to know I’m doing things I never thought I’d do.
As for the second half? The plan is simple: stay on track, stay out of trouble, and get out on time. I want to hit my half marathon goal, build my push-ups and muscle back up, and walk out stronger than I came in. But the biggest thing is staying connected to my people on the outside — my friends and family who’ve stuck by me. I never want to lose sight of them.
And of course, it hasn’t been all serious. This place still finds ways to be completely ridiculous. A while back, someone actually fell through the ceiling trying to stash contraband — just dropped right onto a top bunk in the middle of the night. Another time, guys were caught brewing hooch in buckets using fruit from the chow hall. And then there was the day someone tried to toss a bag of McDonald’s — chicken tenders and fries — over the fence, but it got snagged on the razor wire. The guards saw it and locked the place down for the rest of the day. And almost weekly, someone’s out on the rec yard or wobbling through the dorms completely fried off that deuce or K2 — stumbling around like zombies, mumbling nonsense, or passed out face-first on the floor. As ridiculous as it all is, it’s also proof that even in a place like this, you can still find laughter — and even a little happiness — if you know where to look.
From here on out, my focus is simple: spend the rest of my time getting in the best shape I’ve ever been — physically and mentally — so when I walk out of here, I’m the best version of myself. I’ve got big plans waiting on the other side. I’m going to relaunch my CoinNinja business, jump back into the crypto space, and fully commit to mastering it this time. I’ve taken some hits — I’ve lost a lot through all of this — but I know I can earn it back, and more. I’m optimistic about the future, maybe more than I’ve ever been. Being in here has given me time to think, to reset, and to figure out exactly who I want to be when I get out. And I’m getting ready for that guy every single day.
Thanks to everyone who’s been reading these entries, sending support, or mailing in books — it means more than I can say. Every message, every page, every donation has helped me get through this with purpose. I’ll be out before you know it, and I’m looking forward to being with you again soon — stronger, smarter, and ready for what’s next.
Stay safe — and stay legal — out there.
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