Damon West, author of "The Coffee Bean," shares his inspiring journey from a 9th grader wanting to make varsity football in Texas to eventually serving a life sentence in a Texas prison and his ultimate transformation into a keynote speaker, best-selling author, philanthropist, college professor, and servant leader.

West reflects on his ninth-grade experience, highlighting the pressures of Texas high school football and struggling with math. Despite challenges, he excelled in sports to earn a college scholarship.

However, a career-ending injury derailed his plans, leading to a downward spiral of addiction and crime. In prison, Damon encountered a mentor who shared the story of the coffee bean, inspiring him to change his mindset and surroundings. He emphasizes the importance of being useful by serving others, avoiding negative influences like gossip, and seeking help when needed. Damon discussed the significance of fighting life's battles, acknowledging that everyone gets knocked down but stressing the importance of resilience and perseverance. He highlighted the connection between confidence and keeping promises to oneself, encouraging listeners to embrace change and continue striving for personal growth. Throughout the interview, Damon's message of hope and transformation resonated, offering valuable insights for listeners of all ages.

To purchase a copy of the Coffee Bean, visit Let's Play Books in Emmaus, Pa. and Allentown, Pa. or use the following link https://www.letsplaybooks.com/book/9781119430278.

For all previous episodes of the podcast, go to ⁠⁠www.9thgradeexperience.com.⁠⁠ If you visit the site, you can leave us a voicemail, an email or rate and review of the show.

Musical Credit

Thanks to Eli Heckman, Class of 2025, for providing the music at the beginning of today's episode!

Education Podcast Network

I am proud to announce that the 9th Grade Experience Podcast has joined the Education Podcast Network (EPN). The passionate hosts of the EPN family are made up of a wide variety of teachers, administrators, and educators who are dedicated to bringing you the best in education-related content. The network covers everything from current events in education, technology, and best practices to the latest editorials and more on a regular basis in high quality. To find out more information about all the great shows, visit ⁠⁠https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/