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Former lifer Brian James shares his remarkable journey of transitioning from 29 years in prison to three years of freedom, discussing the psychological challenges, family tragedies, and unexpected paths to healing he's encountered since release.

• Incarcerated at 16 in 1993 and released in 2022 at age 45, Brian describes the overwhelming pressure yet the gratitude of newfound responsibility
• Daily triggers include heightened anxiety in certain neighborhoods despite no actual threat, comparing this response to combat veterans' PTSD
• After losing his family home and possessions in a painful dispute, Brian found salvation through Muay Thai training when divine intervention provided exactly the $500 needed to join
• Brian recounts how counting objects—including the 748 holes in his solitary confinement cell door—became a coping mechanism that persists today
• Two critical decisions while incarcerated nearly jeopardized his release: refusing to pass contraband and getting caught with a needle
• The pivotal moment came after his grandmother's death when he contemplated suicide but decided to "put it off for a couple days"
• Currently working on "Lifer," a feature film about his story that highlights prison dog training programs that helped lead him to redemption
• Brian's message to current inmates: "The doors are open, we're free and we're waiting for you"

Support Brian's film "Lifer" by https://seedandspark.com/fund/lifer?token=4a882561872475a193541a98e79a4308a9e377d585b57716578587b27448efdf%23story#story "Lifer" or visiting his Instagram @freebliss1 for donation links.

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Manny, a former Fresno PD officer and undercover narcotics detective, shares his remarkable journey from Mexican immigrant working in agricultural fields to infiltrating drug cartels and conducting high-stakes operations in the dangerous world of narcotics trafficking.

• Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Manny immigrated to the US at age four and began working in agricultural fields at age 10
• Parents instilled values of hard work and education, telling him to "get educated so you don't have to be here"
• Started police career in King City before moving to Fresno PD
• Despite being new to Fresno, was quickly recruited to specialized gang unit (MAGIC) due to previous experience
• Worked undercover for over 6 years, first with gangs then with high-level drug traffickers
• Conducted undercover operations posing as a buyer for drugs and firearms
• Emphasized command presence, communication skills, and report writing as essential police skills
• Described tactics for maintaining cover, including positioning himself as a "businessman" rather than a user
• Provided insights into drug trafficking organization structure, pricing changes, and cartel operations
• Encountered Santa Muerte altars in dealers' homes, noting those followers were often the most violent
• Was involved in shootouts, including an operation that resulted in one suspect deceased and one injured
• Now works as a background investigator for police candidates
• Advises new officers to maintain integrity, follow policy, stay within the law, and continuously improve their skills

If you're interested in a career in law enforcement, make sure you understand what you're getting into. This isn't an 8-to-5 job - there will be mandatory overtime, missed family events, and high-stress situations. Always have a Plan B, just in case it doesn't work out.

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Former Army veteran Ernie Mariscal shares his powerful journey from troubled youth to military service and his struggle with PTSD after combat deployment.

• Growing up in Brawley, California and dropping out of school at 16 to live on the streets
• Finding direction after a life-threatening encounter with a gunman at a drug house
• Joining the Army in 1991 and experiencing the culture shock of basic training
• Deploying to Iraq in 2004 as a Staff Sergeant in charge of recovery operations
• Witnessing the aftermath of combat violence, including retrieving a Humvee after a fatal RPG attack
• Struggling with alcoholism, PTSD, and failed relationships after returning home
• Reaching the breaking point after retirement, cycling through five jobs and contemplating suicide
• Finding purpose through speaking to at-risk youth, which became his saving grace
• Building a new life focused on speaking, running his businesses, and maintaining his mental health
• Creating Keep Up the Fight cigars and apparel as part of his mission to help others struggling with similar challenges

For bookings and more information, find Ernie Mariscal on Instagram, Facebook, or visit keepuptofightapparel.com.

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Kenny's journey from a 36-year-old fiberglass factory worker to a respected Lieutenant in the California Department of Corrections reveals the dangerous reality behind prison walls and the moral challenges facing those who work there.

Walking the toughest yards at SADF Corcoran, Kenny witnessed firsthand the violence that defines level 4 maximum-security units. His candid account of firing warning shots to prevent riots, maintaining boundaries with manipulative inmates, and navigating the complex prison politics offers rare insight into a world few ever see. "You forget who they are," Kenny warns, highlighting the dangers of the fading line between officers and the violent offenders they supervise.

The conversation takes a shocking turn as Kenny describes blowing the whistle on a fellow officer with alleged Mexican Mafia connections – and the devastating retaliation that followed. "They're trying to send you to prison," a district attorney warned him, as the department fabricated charges to silence his revelations about institutional corruption. His legal battle against the department exposes how CDCR protects those who compromise security while punishing those who speak out.

Kenny's firsthand accounts of administrative failures – from the deadly Fresno Bulldog integration that resulted in multiple deaths to supervisors who refuse to act on known threats – paint a disturbing picture of a department that has shifted from law enforcement to politics. "We had a plan of ops with ambulances on standby because you know it's going to be a mass casualty event," he reveals, suggesting administrators knowingly allowed violence to occur.

For current officers, Kenny offers wisdom earned through decades of service: know your policy, maintain your distance, and remember who you're dealing with. His unwavering faith helped him persevere through false accusations and career setbacks, emerging with his integrity intact. In a system increasingly compromised by politics, Kenny's story stands as both warning and inspiration for those who believe corrections can and should do better.

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Alex shares his remarkable 24-year career with the US Border Patrol, including his experiences with dangerous bandits, cartel operations, and cross-border cooperation with Mexican authorities. His journey from a young recruit to internal affairs special agent reveals the complex, often violent reality of America's border regions.

• Growing up in East Los Angeles and finding direction through law enforcement mentors
• The dangerous reality of "bandits" who prey on vulnerable migrants crossing the border
• Detailed insights into how cartels control "plazas" along the border, requiring payment from anyone crossing
• The untold story of Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas' murder by a cartel crew
• Cross-border cooperation with Mexican authorities to capture fugitives wanted in both countries
• Perspective on border enforcement changes across five presidential administrations
• Transition to Internal Affairs and the challenges that led to early retirement
• Current work with Pacheco Advisory Group providing training on border operations and security tactics

Check out Alex's co-authored book "On the Line: Inside the U.S. Border Patrol" on Amazon and follow his work at pachecoadvisorygroup.com or on Instagram at pacheco_advisory_group.

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Rupert Francis shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Jamaica as the son of a politician to finding his way in America through gang life, incarceration, and ultimately finding purpose through fatherhood and personal growth.

• Born in Ocho Rios, Jamaica where his father was a Speaker of the House for the Jamaican Labor Party
• Fled Jamaica at age 7 after men attempted to kidnap his sister
• Relocated to California where he became involved with Crip gang members by age 10
• Was arrested at 18 for a theft that escalated to felony charges when his co-defendant testified against him
• Witnessed his best friend being murdered and held him as he died
• Found transformation through the birth of his daughter who gave him genuine emotion "for the first time"
• Survived a motorcycle crash that left him unable to walk for two years
• Currently works security at a psychiatric facility while pursuing MMA training
• Aspires to attend law school and mentor youth facing similar challenges

Don't use your position in life as an excuse. Weaponize it as energy. Different levels require different versions of yourself. The pain is for a reason—it will reveal you to your higher self, but you have to hold on for that to happen.

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Valerie, a former correctional officer from Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), shares her journey from personal tragedy to a career in corrections and reveals the shocking deterioration of safety and security in the women's prison system.

• Personal experience with her father's incarceration inspired her career choice
• Started as a substance abuse counselor before becoming a full correctional officer
• Detailed description of CCWF's layout with its four yards and housing units designed like an "X"
• Emphasizes the crucial importance of consistent security checks to maintain safety
• COVID pandemic created chaos with inmates being moved without their property
• Transgender inmates with violent histories were housed among vulnerable female populations
• Administrative decisions undermined officer authority and compromised safety protocols
• Major riot resulted from poor management decisions with officers facing consequences while inmates received "a day of healing"
• The "California Model" eliminated accountability for inmate misconduct
• Offers candid advice for current officers: consider your future carefully, prioritize your wellbeing, and maintain your integrity

Check out Hector Bravo's book "Operational Yard Recall" for more insights into the correctional system.

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Angel Cortez shares his incredible journey from growing up in Southern California as the first American-born in his Mexican immigrant family to becoming an Army Ranger and eventually founding a tactical training company.

• Being raised in low-income neighborhoods around Orange County while skateboarding provided community during frequent moves
• Experiencing 9/11 as a sixth-grader and feeling an immediate call to military service
• Enlisting at 17 as a Combat Engineer specifically to counter the IEDs killing American soldiers
• Deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan where he hunted for IEDs and experienced intense combat situations
• Working with Special Forces in Afghanistan living in a compound in hostile territory facing daily attacks
• Surviving a devastating suicide bomber attack that wounded dozens of Americans
• Completing rigorous Ranger training and earning his tab despite multiple challenges
• Transitioning to civilian life and starting Defense Strategies Group to train military, law enforcement and civilians
• Balancing tactical preparedness with enjoying life and raising children with accountability
• Running OG Pumpkin, which supports veteran and low-income community programs

Visit Defense Strategies Group in Beverly Hills for training in firearms, combatives, and self-defense skills. Follow Angel's community work at @the_OG_pumpkin on Instagram.

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