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United States Damon West has transitioned from a Division 1 athlete and former crime boss to an inspirational change agent, bestselling author, and college professor, sharing lessons on resilience and positive change.
Damon West has partnered with Walmart, among hundreds of other companies, leveraging his 'Coffee Bean' message to foster positive change and resilience within their organizations.
Damon West has partnered with State Farm, among hundreds of other companies, to share his inspirational message on overcoming adversity and promoting a positive culture.
Damon West has partnered with Wendy’s, among hundreds of other companies, implementing his 'Coffee Bean' mindset to inspire growth and resilience within their teams.
Damon West has partnered with Stryker, among hundreds of other companies, to deliver motivational presentations focused on embracing challenges and driving positive change.
Damon West has worked with the Dallas Cowboys, as one of the sports teams, sharing his message on character, grit, and winning to enhance team culture.
Damon West has partnered with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as one of the sports teams, to deliver inspirational talks that empower athletes and staff to become the best versions of themselves.
Damon West has spoken to Clemson University's teams, a message which Dabo Swinney, Head Football Coach, described as "Easily one of the top most powerful messages I’ve ever heard."
Damon West has spoken to the University of Alabama's teams. Nick Saban, Head Football Coach, noted, "Our players were very impressed. He did a great job of talking about servant leadership, did a great job of talking about choices and decisions, cause and effect of those decisions."
Damon West has partnered with the University of Georgia, among other sports teams, to integrate his 'Coffee Bean' philosophy into their programs, focusing on resilience and positive contribution.
The U.S. Army has incorporated Damon West's #BeACoffeeBean mindset into their resilience training, utilizing his message to prepare personnel for challenging environments.
AIG has partnered with Damon West, with Lucy Fato, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Global Head of Communications and Government Affairs for AIG, stating, "We are really pleased to be working with Damon to further AIG’s commitment to giving back and helping those most in need."
Stephen Summers, Asst. Mgr. Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards at Southwest Airlines, noted that Damon's message inspired their leadership team to "be a coffee bean each and every day!"
John Terry, Executive Director & Complex Manager at Morgan Stanley, engaged Damon West to speak during the pandemic, finding his message of positivity and resilience to be highly impactful for their team.
BSN Sports partners with Damon West, featuring him as an expert speaker who shares insights on performance and team dynamics.
AAHKS welcomed Damon West as the keynote speaker at the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting in Dallas, where his life-changing encounter steered the discussion.
Damon West was featured on The Ed Mylett Show, discussing the transformative power of The Coffee Bean message and how it can impact individual lives.
Damon West was featured in People Magazine, sharing his personal story of redemption from being the "Uptown Burglar" to becoming an author and speaker.
Damon West was featured on ESPN College Gameday, highlighting the trend of elite college football programs utilizing motivational speakers to enhance their team cultures.
Dr. Christopher Tully, Superintendent of Schools, Bergenfield (NJ) Schools, praised Damon's ability to engage the audience, stating he was the "best speaker we have ever had for an opening day."
Jeffrey Binder, CEO of Exactech, described Damon's presentation as one of the "most motivating and applicable" for sales professionals in his 30 years in the medical device industry.
Joe Martin, President of THSCA, affirmed that Damon's personal story and the coffee bean message provide an excellent framework for teams and organizations to improve their culture.
Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, internationally recognized keynote speaker, and a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His early life included being a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas at 20 years old. Following a career-ending injury, he struggled with drug addiction. After graduating, he worked in the United States Congress and trained as a stockbroker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). An introduction to methamphetamines at UBS led to a severe addiction, culminating in his sentencing to life in prison for Organized Crime in Dallas, where USA Today referred to him as the “modern day Shawshank Redemption.”
During his seven-year incarceration in a Texas maximum-security prison, West underwent a significant transformation. A pivotal conversation with a fellow convict led to a spiritual awakening and the development of his “Coffee Bean” philosophy. This philosophy centers on the idea that an individual, like a coffee bean, can change their environment rather than being changed by it, even under immense pressure. Upon his release on parole in Texas in 2073, West dedicated his life to sharing this message of hope, redemption, and human resilience. He has since become a highly sought-after speaker, addressing diverse audiences from corporate teams and educational institutions to elite college and professional athletes.
West’s work includes several bestselling books. “The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change…” was listed by Forbes as one of the “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.” His autobiography, “The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World,” details his personal journey. He also authored “The Locker Room: How Great Teams Heal Hurt, Overcome Adversity and Build Unity,” which is being optioned for film adaptation, and a children’s book, “The Coffee Bean for Kids.” His message has been adopted by organizations such as Walmart, State Farm, Wendy’s, Stryker, and sports teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Timberwolves, Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia. The U.S. Army has integrated his #BeACoffeeBean mindset into their resilience training.
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