Parole Violators: Second Chances and Self-Sabotage

"The opening chapter of my memoir, Change The Game, sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s titled “Parole Violators” and draws inspiration from Capone-N-Noreaga’s track of the same name off their debut album, The War Report. Just like the song, this chapter is raw in its display of the struggles that come with trying to escape the past while building a future..."

In 2010, I was shackled on a prison bus, surrounded by forests and mountains, headed to another correctional facility. This wasn’t my first time taking this ride, but it was the one that changed everything. Capone-N-Noreaga’s “Parole Violators” plays like the soundtrack to this experience, mirroring the frustration and helplessness that come with being trapped in a system designed for recidivism.

The song highlights the tug-of-war between the streets and survival, a theme I could relate to as I thought about the choices that led me to that moment. Parole was a leash, constantly pulling me back into a cycle I wanted to break free from.

When the System Sets the Rules

The prison bus was a metaphor for my life at that point, stuck, but still in motion. Each mile we traveled symbolized another layer of reflection. I thought about my decisions, the dreams I abandoned, and the future that seemed out of reach.

That ride forced me to confront myself in ways I hadn’t before. I realized that while the system was designed to hold me back, I was also holding myself back through the choices I made.

The Prison Bus: A Moving Metaphor

Son: A Lesson in Perspective

“Parole was a leash, constantly pulling me back into a cycle I wanted to break free from…”

During that ride, I met Son, an older dude from Queens. Son had been on this path longer than I had, and his words cut through the noise of my thoughts:

“You gotta decide what you want, man. This life or that pen of yours.”

Son’s wisdom was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. I had dreams; publishing books, telling my story, building something real, but I let the streets and fear of failure dictate my moves. Son reminded me that it wasn’t too late to take back control, even if it felt like I was at rock bottom.

Capone-N-Noreaga’s “Parole Violators” is about resilience. It’s about refusing to let the system win. That chapter became my turning point. Sitting in that prison dorm, surrounded by wind turbines and snowdrifts, I made a promise to myself: This would be my last time on that bus.

I started planning my next moves. I leaned into writing again, using it as an escape and a weapon against the cycle I was caught in. I knew I couldn’t change the past, but I could rewrite my future, one decision at a time.

The Turning Point

What Parole Violators Taught Me

This chapter, just like the song, is about survival in a system stacked against us. But it’s also about accountability. I realized that the external forces played their part, but I had the power to make different choices.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, whether in a system, a job, or even your own habits, know this: the first step toward freedom is acknowledging the role you play in your story.

The second step? Taking action to change it.

Want to dive deeper into the lessons and stories that shaped my journey?

Grab your copy of Change The Game: A Memoir

For those ready to take control of their lives, my self-help guide Change Your Game offers practical steps to break free from limiting cycles. You can get a FREE download here: www.ctgpro.org

Let’s change the game, together.