A Correctional Officer's Words And A Desire To Change

What if the choices you make today could completely transform your future? When a simple, unexpected moment of encouragement sparked an incredible journey from struggle to success. 
In this episode, I share my personal story of overcoming the negative influences and poor choices that once dictated my life. With a focus on six key traits that often lead young people astray, including falling into the wrong crowd and substance abuse, I delve into the pivotal moment when a correctional officer's words ignited my desire for change. Discover how self-reflection, conscious decision-making, and aligning with positive influences became my roadmap to thriving.

Subscribe to the podcast through Spotify, Apple, IHeart or other podcasting channels.
 
Connect with Us on the Web for: s2spodcast.net (sms at the bottom of our page for real time reply)

For topics and podcast information reach us at: struggle2success.p@gmail.com

For booking information reach us at: sterlingbrown@s2spodcast.net

Be sure to leave a review on Apple Podcast your feedback helps us reach more listeners. 

Thank you for listening to the Struggle2Success Podcast!

Transcript

Announcement: 0:01
If you have ever been told by someone that you’re not capable of attaining success, if you have made mistakes, or if you’ve lived in an underprivileged neighborhood, then this podcast is for you. You are now locked into the Struggle2Success Podcast. The Struggle2Success Podcast aims to inspire individuals to navigate life’s challenges with courage, fortitude, and unwavering determination. So, if you’re in your car, jogging, or somewhere else trying to find the calm in the storm, then join the Struggle2Success Podcast airing every other Saturday. Remember, life is trials. Stay focused.

Sterling D. Brown: 0:38
Hello, wonderful people, and welcome to another episode of the Struggle2Success Podcast. I’m your host, Sterling Brown. This episode is about choices. How do I recognize if I’m surrounded by the wrong crowd? What practical steps can I take to shift my mindset when I’m feeling stuck? How do you stay committed to change if it feels like your past keeps pulling you back? And what can I do if I don’t have a support group?

Sterling D. Brown: 1:04
By 1996, I had been arrested for selling narcotics and, after being processed in the county jail, I was transferred to one of the male housing units in the facility. As I sat there, I started to realize that my choices were heavily influenced by the people and situations around me. It wasn’t just bad luck. It was a combination of factors that led me down the wrong path.

For anyone between 18 and 25, navigating life’s pressures can sometimes push you toward decisions that shape your future without you even realizing it. I believe there are six traits that often lead young people down a destructive path, and looking back, I can see how they played a role in my life:

1. Hanging with the wrong crowd – Surrounding yourself with people who constantly engage in illegal or risky activities can pull you into a lifestyle you might not have chosen on your own.
2. Disregarding boundaries – Ignoring the rules that keep relationships and society functioning, whether that’s skipping responsibilities, being disrespectful, or crossing personal boundaries.
3. Negative mindset – Having thoughts and beliefs that push you toward destructive behavior, like “everyone else is doing it, so why not me?” or “the system is against me, so what’s the point?”
4. Reckless actions – Engaging in activities that harm others or yourself without considering the consequences. This could include fights, stealing, or constantly testing limits.
5. Substance abuse – Using drugs or alcohol to cope with life’s stressors can cloud judgment and lead to bad decisions, whether at a party or when feeling overwhelmed by school or work.
6. Toxic relationships – Coming from or staying in dysfunctional relationships—whether with family, a partner, or friends—that push you toward negative behaviors or make it harder to break free from bad habits.

Whether it was arrogance or ignorance, I didn’t recognize how much I was allowing my choices to trap me in a cycle I couldn’t break. Recognizing these factors is the first step to making better choices and creating the life you want.

Sterling D. Brown: 3:37
At the age of 26, I was overwhelmed with anger, guilt, and hopelessness. A correctional officer’s unexpected words of encouragement sparked the first glimmer of change within me. His name was Officer Tank, and he said: “You can do better and be better than what you are right now. Don’t give up, even if you fall short of your goals.”

Sterling D. Brown: 4:00
Upon my release, I made significant changes. I got a job. I stopped hustling—though the desire to make fast money was still there. For once in my life, I kept my back straight and my head held high. But I didn’t change my friend group, which led me to fall again.

Sterling D. Brown: 4:20
I remember dating a girl, and one morning we went to her friend’s house. The house was raided by police for narcotics. Here I was, again in handcuffs. This time it hit me differently. While facing consequences, I realized—and felt relieved—that I was given another chance, another crossroad of choice. When I was released, I trashed my cell phone. I went back to my job and explained my situation. Surprisingly, I was allowed to keep my job.

Sterling D. Brown: 4:52
I focused on self-healing and dedicated myself to education. My routine was work, home, school, sleep, repeat. I was struggling, but when I reached out to a new, positive group of individuals with similar goals of success, they drove me to change. They didn’t hesitate to pull me up. That kind of support got me thinking—sometimes you’ve got to step back and reflect on where you are.

It could be something small, like your preferences, or something major, like missing deadlines or needing to reset your career goals. Self-reflection can bring up regret or a hunger to switch things up. But here’s the thing—you can’t let it turn into self-sabotage. Figure out why you’re feeling off, then decide your next move. It’s a never-ending cycle: decide, move, repeat.

Realizing you’ve made mistakes can make you hesitate to take the next step. I hesitated to apply for opportunities because I didn’t believe in myself. But yesterday doesn’t define today. It’s okay if you’ve made wrong decisions—reflect, choose better ones, and move forward.

Sterling D. Brown: 6:05
In the heart of Philadelphia was a young boy who dreamed of escaping the hood. Despite his aspirations, I was lured into the bustling life of the city and made mistakes. Correcting my path took more effort than I ever imagined, but eventually I found my way. The struggle was real—but so is the success that comes through it.

How you view your decisions matters, because there’s no such thing as a “bad” decision. They’re just steps taken. Whether a step brings you closer to your goal or pulls you away, each one informs the next.

Sterling D. Brown: 6:36
Growing up, I took many steps in the opposite direction, focusing on survival rather than improvement. Eventually, I realized that surviving wasn’t enough to change my story. I struggled to believe that my past and environment didn’t define me. It’s possible to achieve great things from a small place.

Recognizing poor choices often feels like a shock. Accepting the truth is difficult. But when you realize you haven’t been making the best decisions, you also see the importance of those seemingly insignificant moments. I was once lost in the streets, but I learned that life is about making mistakes and correcting them. No one has all the answers, but the opportunity to start over is always there.

I stopped dwelling on negative opinions from strangers who didn’t understand my background. Reflect on what you’ve done and what you’ve left undone. Eliminate it, change it, or accept it. But make a choice. And if all goes as planned, in our next episode I’ll talk about the journey from the streets to success. Always remember—life is trials. Stay focused.

Announcement: 7:48
Thanks for checking out this episode of the Struggle2Success Podcast. To connect with the show, you can email us at struggle2success.p@gmail.com. Make sure you like and subscribe so that you never miss an episode. And remember—life is trials. Stay focused.