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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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