Getting Off The Mat
The videos below tell the story of Richard Jensen (full story here).
As a former methamphetamine addict and ex-convict, Jensen is now a 37 year old college student, and a member of the Clackamas Community College wrestling team.
As stated in a past entry, we’ve all made mistakes in life. No one is perfect, but we all have the opportunity to change our lives and improve. Each day presents that opportunity. Some wake up and go for it, while others sit back and let the days pass.
Jensen is a real life example of human resilience. It’s one thing to wrestle competitively at age 37, but it is entirely more impressive when you consider his mistakes over the 15+ years beforehand. We all have bad days from time to time. Some may have bad weeks, or perhaps even a bad year. But how many have had 15 year stretches of hardship, including serious drug addiction and prison? I’ve made my share of mistakes, but these are two that never made my list.
And please don’t mistake the message behind this blog entry. Jensen has clearly made mistakes in life. I’m sure he’s hurt people over the years, perhaps without even realizing it. I’m not here to overlook his mistakes or to suggest that they are okay. He paid his debt to society however, and has shown that we all have the ability to turn things around. That is the message that I hope to share through this entry.
Like Jensen, I too am in my 30’s. I know men in their 30’s who I knew as kids. Many have done nothing with their lives. Jensen’s story shows that it is never too late however. How many 36 year old former drug addicts wake up one day and decide to enroll in college? Many would have assumed that it was already too late. After periods of hardship, many unfortunately give up on life. They honestly do not believe that change is possible.
Fortunately, most who make such decisions have never gone through half of what Jensen has endured. This isn’t to say that one problem is better or worse, as our problems are our problems. Nothing hurts more than a problem that is our own. Yet, with that said, seeing Jensen turn his life around should give hope to others who currently see no hope in their future. No matter how bad it has been, it can always get better. Sure, it can get worse, but we all have the power to write our own future. It won’t be easy, and the decision isn’t one that you make one time. You’ll likely need to make the decision day after day, or perhaps hour after hour.
If you want something, go get it. It is yours for the taking. Often times, the only thing that can stop you is you, just as the only thing that can start you is you.
Ross
PS - the full video of Jensen’s story can also be seen here
11 Comments so far
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good story, it’s all about decision, we could be whatever we really want to be
Great story, Ross. Thanks for posting. I work around a lot of criminals which can be kind of depressing and make one feel cynical after a while. It’s nice to see a story about somebody who turned their life around.
A lot of the suffering he endured was of his own making….
There are no Victime in Life, only Volunteers
Jim - No one is applauding his past, or trying to say that anything he did was acceptable. The message behind the story was that we can all turn our lives around (if necessary). If Jensen was able to kick a bad habit of drugs and turn his life around at age 36, others should realize that they too can initiate positive change in their lives. That is the message that I am trying to convey. Nothing more and nothing less.
Ross
Being a former Corrections Officer myself, it’s so hard to find someone in the system that can escape that cycle of drugs and crime. I applaud Jensen and wish him well. His story will echoe the halls of jails and prisons everywhere and just maybe more will be inspired to turn their lives around. As for Jim, words are cheap and unless you have been that person you cannot judge a person. Ultimately, only we know what really lurks inside of us.
Hey Ross! This is your boy Chuck!
This was truly inspiring Ross, really man. I have alot of respect for this man. What he accomplished people like Jim would probably break physically & mentally if he was in those shoes. Just like the rest of the world everybody looks at the negativitey all the time, we need to pay attention to the important things in life the things that are gonna result your ending in your chapter of life & Jensen is a true warrior for what he has endured, to come back from all of that and do what he’s doing now that gets nothing but 110% respect from me.
Jim your 110% correct there are no victims in life only volunteers. It’s a shame you fell Victim to the position you carry in life which is ( HATER ) so do yourself a favor and volunteer your life into quit being typical.
Cheers to true warriors in life!!! Which i know plenty of us are. Ain’t it great to live OUTLAWED to jim’s world.
By the way Ross. I just finished doing Evil 6. That was the shit Ross. I loved that one more than any other one so far i think. Whatever F**ks me up the most is what i praise man. Keep the good s**t coming Coach.
My point was that he could have stopped being a loser ANYTIME during those 15 years . He shouldn’t have waited that long. And I’m sure that the people he hurt along the way will remind him of this……
Easy Chuck! Don’t spend all your bullets in one gunfight. I think I see where Jim is trying to come from. Check this out Jim, Jensen’s body became a slave to his addiction and you know what they say “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” We all fight this battle daily. Naw, I don’t feel like working out today. Naw, My sh*t hurts everywhere. Naw, my boys want to go out for pizza and beer. Every cell in our body is at war inside of us, they resist our disciplined approach to life. Now add an addiction to that mix. Jensen is fighting the good fight and frankly “Who gives a sh@t about 15yrs ago and in between”. Jim it sounds like you have some demons that you need to get out on the pavement and wrestle yourself. We all do! SO ACCEPT. People that hurt others are on a self destructive ride. All you have to do is sit back and watch. If they manage to get off the coaster and fix their broken lives. How can this not make our world a better place? Especially if they aim to help others. How many convicts do you think that must have inspired when Jensen went back to prison to face those demons. This kind of thinking is what we as civilized society need. Not the Salem witch hunts. Ross, sorry for preaching. I just can’t stand hateful people who see no light at then end of the tunnel.
Fair enough, dragonn76.
Dragonn76. You couldn’t have put it any other way my man. And man i feel you with the everyday struggle, your 110% correct on that, it is a war & battle each & everyday man. I can see, you live the Warrior lifestyle on a daily basis & as far as the preaching, man you hit home with every word you said dude.
By the way Ross, It wasn’t Evil 6 i performed yesterday, i had that messed up for a minute. It wa the sandbag complex from FTC. I performed it with my waterball. Man that s**t kicked A**. it’s hands down toughest one i done yet. How sweet it was though.
Unbelievable story of perseverance. Dragonn76, great comment.
Ross, if you ever need a second career, I think motivational speaker is up your alley. You have a way of slapping people in the face in a good way.
Cheers
Scott Kustes
Modern Forager