• Home
  • About
    • Start
    • Services
      • Alternative Sentencing
      • Bureau of Prisons
      • Federal Sentencing Guidelines
      • Character Reference Letters
      • Early Release From Prison
      • Federal Prison Camp
      • Presentence Investigation
      • Prison Advice
      • Prison Consultant
      • Sentencing
      • Residential Drug Abuse Program
  • Hire Me
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Archives
  • PrisonProfessor.com
  • PrisonToParadise.com

Monday, May 12, 2014

by on May 12, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

More than one full week has passed since I’ve updated my daily logs. Sometimes I need to postpone entries in order to focus attention on current obligations. This past week I was in Orange County working on a project that doesn’t relate to the prison system or at-risk youth, though it still relates to the Straight-A Guide program I developed. I’ve made a tactical decision to continue my preparations for success. That decision requires that I work with business organizations that recognize the value in the lessons I teach. On Monday I worked with a team of business leaders that are responsible for improving efficiencies in a sales force. Throughout the remainder of this year, I’ll work closely with the leadership team to build a culture that encourages each sales professional to work toward optimal performance, both on and off the job. I am responsible for both recruiting and training a top-tier sales team. In the late afternoon, I visited the campus at UC Irvine to meet with an organizer at the career center and leaders of various student organizations. I’m recruiting college graduates who’ve built track records of distinction.

 

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 273
  • Miles run today: 10
  • Miles run this week: 23.37
  • Miles run this month: 52.52
  • Miles run in 2014:
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 145.95
  • Today’s Weight: 168
Keep Reading »

Sunday, May 11, 2014

by on May 11, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

Carole rollerblades beside me while I run on a Newport Beach bike path.

Carole rollerblades beside me while I run on a Newport Beach bike path.

Carole and I began our morning with another run alongside the Newport Beach bike path. We then drove to Long Beach to treat my mother and grandmother to brunch. More than 28 years have passed since I celebrated Mother’s Day with my mom. I am glad that we shared those few hours together. In the months to come, I’ll work very hard, frequently seven days each week. But since I expect to spend considerable lengths of time here in Newport Beach, Carole and I will be able to share more meals with my mother and grandmother. I’m looking forward to the overcoming the challenges ahead. After our brunch, I purchased a pair of roller blades for Carole so that she could skate alongside me while I ran.

 

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 271
  • Miles run today: 13.37
  • Miles run this week: 13.37
  • Miles run this month: 42.52
  • Miles run in 2014:
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 142.52
  • Today’s Weight: 169
Keep Reading »

Saturday, May 10, 2014

by on May 10, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

Beautiful Newport Beach

Beautiful Newport Beach

Carole woke early to run on a bike path that runs adjacent to Newport Beach. We really enjoy this area. After an eight-mile run, Carole drove me to an office where I’m teaching others strategies that empowered me through the journey. In the evening, Carole and I returned to Sabatino’s Restaurant for dinner. Then I met a friend of mine at the Canary restaurant. I was in bed by 9:00 pm, eager to resume my work.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 271
  • Miles run today: 8.3
  • Miles run this week: 12.69
  • Miles run this month: 29.15
  • Miles run in 2014: 996.39
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 135.72
  • Today’s Weight: 169
Keep Reading »

Friday, May 9, 2014

by on May 9, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

Carole and I left our home this morning at 5:00 am. We drove to the Oakland airport and then we boarded a Southwest flight to Orange County. Carole and I have some work to do that will require us to spend considerable amounts of time in Southern California. We’re looking forward to the new opportunities. I’ll transform the lessons that empowered me through longer than a quarter century in prison into lessons that will help business professionals reach their highest potential. I’m really enthusiastic about this challenge. Each day I will work hard to show others how to dig within themselves and create their own energy, discipline, and commitment. They’ll learn the path that anyone and everyone can pursue to reach his or her highest potential. This exciting new venture has been in the works for several months, and today we take some affirmative steps toward building a new life.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 270
  • Miles run today: 0
  • Miles run this week: 0
  • Miles run this month: 133.99
  • Miles run in 2014: 988.09
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule:
  • Today’s Weight: 20.85
Keep Reading »

Thursday, May 8, 2014

by on May 8, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

Standing with Judge Laurel Beeler when she visited my class at SFSU

Standing with Judge Laurel Beeler when she visited my class at SFSU

Judge Laurel Beeler, from the Northern District of California, spoke as a guest lecturer in my class at SFSU this evening. I was incredibly honored the moment she walked into our full classroom. I met Judge Beeler about a year ago, while I was still living as a federal prisoner. We met in her chambers. A former public defender invited me to the meeting; my probation officer was present as well. I enjoyed a candid discussion with Judge Beeler about the criminal justice system and I invited her then to visit my class as a guest lecturer. She graciously accepted.

I’ve exchanged a correspondence with Judge Beeler over the past year and I’ve been encouraged by her expressions of support. During class, she spoke about her amazing career and the influences that have guided her perspectives. Prior to her judicial appointment Judge Beeler served 15 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Statements she made about the evolution of our criminal justice system suggested that we may see continuing advancements with judicial alternatives to incarceration. I appreciated her insight and I will continue working to prove worthy of her support.

 

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 269
  • Miles run today: 4.39
  • Miles run this week: 4.39
  • Miles run this month: 20.85
  • Miles run in 2014: 988.09
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 140.56
  • Today’s Weight: 169
Keep Reading »

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

by on May 7, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

The illness seems to have passed through my body. This morning I woke feeling as if I had a 100 percent recovery. At 9:00 this morning Carole and I visited our doctor. After some tests, he confirmed that I was well on my way to a speedy recover. The doctor urged me to continue the course of antibiotics, and I will do so. But he authorized me to resume running tomorrow. So I’m enthusiastic about that. We also learned that our mortgage funded today, so Carole and I now have 15 years of mortgage payments ahead of us. For decades I’ve waited to live as a homeowner, and I’m glad that both of our names on a real estate deed. Now that the mortgage is complete, we’re going to purchase a new vehicle for Carole. Our family is very blessed. Through our work, we’ve opened opportunities that allow us to enjoy a life of stability that few would’ve predicted. I look forward to continuing progress on our five-year plan.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 268
  • Miles run today: 0
  • Miles run this week: 0
  • Miles run this month: 16.46
  • Miles run in 2014: 983.7
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 142.74
  • Today’s Weight: 169
Keep Reading »

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

by on May 6, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

When I woke this morning I felt like running 20 miles. My wife insisted that I must rest. She advised that although I felt as though I had made a 100 percent recovery, I needed more rest and medication to kill the bacteria in my blood stream. Other than getting my haircut and visiting with my friend Lee, I stayed home. In the early afternoon I became drowsy, likely from the medication. I slept for four hours. I’m very fortunate to have Carole’s medical expertise and kindness as I recover. Later this week we’re scheduled to travel to Southern California and I intend to be fully recovered.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 267
  • Miles run today: 0
  • Miles run this week: 0
  • Miles run this month: 16.46
  • Miles run in 2014: 983.7
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 149.31
  • Today’s Weight: 168
Keep Reading »

Monday, May 5, 2014

by on May 5, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

Receiving IV antibiotics in Emergency Room

Receiving IV antibiotics in Emergency Room

At 1:30 this morning I woke with a high fever. After seeing that I had a temperature of 102, my wife insisted on taking me to the emergency room of her hospital. Upon taking some initial tests, the doctor said that I had to be admitted into the hospital immediately because I had a blood infection called Sepsis. I had been feeling unwell for several days and my wife had urged me to get medical treatment. But I’m sometimes stubborn, insisting on doing more work. By neglecting her sage advice, I exposed myself to serious health problems. The doctor said that if I had not gone to the hospital I likely would’ve lost consciousness and I could’ve died from the blood infection. Wow! I decided to take my wife’s medical advice more seriously going forward. I’m very proud of her. In any event, she stayed beside me while her colleagues at the hospital helped me with heal with IV antibiotics and fluids. By late morning I began to feel much better. The hospital discharged me in the early evening and Carole and I returned home. I was required to rest and take antibiotics for a week.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 266
  • Miles run today: 0
  • Miles run this week: 0
  • Miles run this month: 16.46
  • Miles run in 2014: 983.7
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 155.88
  • Today’s Weight: 168
Keep Reading »

Sunday, May 4, 2014

by on May 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Journal of today’s activities:

Justin and I spent the morning working from my home office to develop a brochure that he and our partner Caryn would use to open new employment opportunities for the formerly incarcerated. We continue focusing on strategies that will sustain our organization. The employment component of our foundation allows us to earn a necessary revenue stream. We have a long ways to go, but we’re making incremental progress each month by putting more formerly incarcerated individuals to work. In the late morning, Justin and I drove to Stanford where we met with students of Stanford’s NAACP. They filmed us as we gave an overview of our abbreviated Straight-A Guide Program for the formerly incarcerated. We’re working on this collaboration project with hopes that it will teach more formerly incarcerated individuals how to demonstrate their commitment to leading law-abiding, contributing lives. The harder they work to document their commitment through out Straight-A Guide program, the more successful our team can be in persuading employers to hire them. We spent the entire afternoon filming at Stanford. I didn’t get back home until after eight in the evening.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 265
  • Miles run today: 0
  • Miles run this week: 0
  • Miles run this month: 16.46
  • Miles run in 2014: 983.7
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 162.45
  • Today’s Weight: 168
Keep Reading »

Saturday, May 3, 2014

by on May 3, 2014 2 Comments

Journal of today’s activities:

Last night Carole and I drove to the Santa Rosa airport to pick up my friend and partner Justin Paperny. We were scheduled to a meeting with some students at Stanford University. They’re leaders at the Stanford campus NAACP and they’re collaborating with us on a project to make new educational videos. These videos will become part of our Straight-A Guide Program, but they’re specifically for the formerly incarcerated. We’re working to help more formerly incarcerated individuals secure employment opportunities, and these videos will teach lessons on self-preparation. The filming got pushed back until Sunday, so Justin and I took the day to visit the juvenile hall in Sonoma County. I made a presentation on our Straight-A Guide. During the one hour that I spoke, I explained how a values-based, goal-oriented strategy could lead to new opportunities. The young men in attendance seemed to engage in the message, asking questions about how I was able to accomplish so much from within prison boundaries. I’m hopeful that they accept the challenges I presented to them and that they work harder to build better futures. Following our presentation at the juvenile hall, Justin and I spent the remainder of the day strategizing. Then we enjoyed a nice dinner with our friend Lee Nobmann.

  • Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 264
  • Miles run today: 7.46
  • Miles run this week: 50.38
  • Miles run this month: 16.46
  • Miles run in 2014: 983.7
  • Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
  • Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 169.02
  • Today’s Weight: 169
Keep Reading »
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pricing Catalog for Schools and Prisons

Access Pricing Catalog

Get Interactive Brochure

Sentencing and Prison Brochure

Recent Podcasts

  • Huffington
  • Business Insider
  • Quora
  • Prison News
  • Contact

Copyright 2025 Michael Santos

Get your Free Brochure