Damon West

Damon West, a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author, is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and college professor, widely known for his powerful ‘Coffee Bean’ philosophy. Earlier in his career, West distinguished himself as a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas before transitioning to a role within the United States Congress. He further developed his professional acumen training as a stockbroker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). His professional trajectory took a dramatic turn when he was sentenced to life in prison for Organized Crime in Dallas, a period during which USA Today referred to him as the ‘modern day Shawshank Redemption’ in 2023.

West’s published works have garnered significant recognition, including ‘The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change…,’ which Forbes listed 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 compelling personal journey. He also authored ‘The Locker Room: How Great Teams Heal Hurt, Overcome Adversity and Build Unity,’ a work that is currently optioned for film adaptation, and the children’s book, ‘The Coffee Bean for Kids.’ His transformative message and ‘Coffee Bean’ mindset have been adopted by a wide array of prominent organizations and sports teams, including Walmart, State Farm, Wendy’s, Stryker, the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Timberwolves, Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia. Demonstrating the profound impact of his work, the U.S. Army has integrated his #BeACoffeeBean mindset directly into their resilience training programs, solidifying his standing as a leading voice in personal and organizational development.