How I got here is already far too long of a post, so I must include this for all the credits and gratitude I need to extend to those who made this possible.

To my parents: who supported me every single day of the decade+ I have spent behind bars, and who never gave up on me, even when I definitely deserved it and had well past given up on myself.

To Mark Spahr and Rachel Mclean Who I work with in the Education Technology department, who gave me a chance to prove myself, and without whom I would never have had any of the access or resources I needed to gain the skills, knowledge and experience that I have today. I owe virtually all of my success to them for giving me the opportunity.

To Haley, Jessica, Nokie and the entire team/family at UnlockedLabs. Definitely the only company that was going to do anything with my resume but chuckle and throw it away. I couldn't be more proud to be part of the team.

To Laura Rodas (Education Director), and Randy Liberty (Commissioner of the MDOC) and all who approved the policies that make things like this possible.

and finally I just want to throw a thank you to Andreas Kling and The Primeagen, who I have been following for a long time, but who will most likely never read this, but nevertheless who inspired me with their stories and their work and who I look up to very much. I have been clean and sober for well over 4 years now, and it's not easy in this environment. It has been a huge inspiration to see success stories of others that have gone through addictions.