Weldon Long

Listen, I went through a lot of years of my life in those prison years blaming the judges, the prosecutors, the ex-wife. Then one day it hit me like if all those things are the reason my life sucks, then all those things got to change for my life to get better. And that's probably not going to happen. But if I'm the problem, then I can change that, right?

Listen, I went through a lot of years of my life in those prison years blaming the judges, the prosecutors, the ex-wife. Then one day it hit me like if all those things are the reason my life sucks, then all those things got to change for my life to get better. And that's probably not going to happen. But if I'm the problem, then I can change that, right?

I have control over my thoughts and my behaviors. So that was kind of a watershed kind of turning point for me.

I have control over my thoughts and my behaviors. So that was kind of a watershed kind of turning point for me.

Well, first of all, let me say how happy I am to be here. I was telling Ashley, your executive assistant, that of the young bucks coming up, like you're the brand. You know, you got the old guys like me, the Drew Camerons, the Joe Calloway. You know, we're all fading, right? And you got this new group of energetic, talented, super dynamic people. And I've been following you, too, for a bit.

Well, first of all, let me say how happy I am to be here. I was telling Ashley, your executive assistant, that of the young bucks coming up, like you're the brand. You know, you got the old guys like me, the Drew Camerons, the Joe Calloway. You know, we're all fading, right? And you got this new group of energetic, talented, super dynamic people. And I've been following you, too, for a bit.

And I'm really pleased to be here. I'm really proud and inspired by the work that you're doing. You're a badass. And I think that's really cool. I also want to say this. I agree with you. As much as I'm into sales, I always say nothing happens until something gets sold. Nothing gets sold until somebody sets a lead. And that is kind of the priority for me.

And I'm really pleased to be here. I'm really proud and inspired by the work that you're doing. You're a badass. And I think that's really cool. I also want to say this. I agree with you. As much as I'm into sales, I always say nothing happens until something gets sold. Nothing gets sold until somebody sets a lead. And that is kind of the priority for me.

My story, you kind of outlined, I was a ninth grade high school dropout, started running the streets, pulled a gun on a guy in 1987, got sentenced to prison the first time for 10 years at 23 years old, and did about four and a half years in Colorado, at the state system in Colorado.

My story, you kind of outlined, I was a ninth grade high school dropout, started running the streets, pulled a gun on a guy in 1987, got sentenced to prison the first time for 10 years at 23 years old, and did about four and a half years in Colorado, at the state system in Colorado.

After four and a half years, the parole board and their infinite wisdom thought I was rehabilitated, and they kicked me out in the street. So I get out. I'm 27 years old. Still a ninth grade high school dropout. No experience, no education. Now I'm a convicted felon, right? Not a real impressive track record. Made it to about 18 months.

After four and a half years, the parole board and their infinite wisdom thought I was rehabilitated, and they kicked me out in the street. So I get out. I'm 27 years old. Still a ninth grade high school dropout. No experience, no education. Now I'm a convicted felon, right? Not a real impressive track record. Made it to about 18 months.

Went back to prison a second time for a couple of years on gun charges. Got out again at 30 years old. 30 years old now, my 20s, I gave up to the penitentiary system. Knucklehead, first-class POS type of just garden variety loser. Nothing good to say about it. And 30 years old, I'm out again, and I hook up with some guys in Vegas doing some sketchy telemarketing.

Went back to prison a second time for a couple of years on gun charges. Got out again at 30 years old. 30 years old now, my 20s, I gave up to the penitentiary system. Knucklehead, first-class POS type of just garden variety loser. Nothing good to say about it. And 30 years old, I'm out again, and I hook up with some guys in Vegas doing some sketchy telemarketing.

Tell people I should have been suspicious when they hired me because it doesn't say much about their hiring standards at that point. Did that for a couple of years until one day we all get indicted on federal money laundering and mail fraud charges. Went to the federal joint for seven years.

Tell people I should have been suspicious when they hired me because it doesn't say much about their hiring standards at that point. Did that for a couple of years until one day we all get indicted on federal money laundering and mail fraud charges. Went to the federal joint for seven years.

But it was during that last seven years that the change happened, right, kind of the moment of clarity, the epiphany. It was June 10th, 1996. I know exactly when it was. One of the cops walked into a cell house, called me aside, and told me my dad died. Fifty-nine years old. I was 32. He was 59, very young, which is really young now because now I'm 61. And the kid just really seems young.

But it was during that last seven years that the change happened, right, kind of the moment of clarity, the epiphany. It was June 10th, 1996. I know exactly when it was. One of the cops walked into a cell house, called me aside, and told me my dad died. Fifty-nine years old. I was 32. He was 59, very young, which is really young now because now I'm 61. And the kid just really seems young.

And but that was that was Tommy. That was kind of my moment of clarity. I'm like, I'm a first class piece of shit. I had a three year old son that I had fathered when I was out on parole, abandoned him. He was left with his drug addicted, heroin addicted mother. I'm in prison. Now my dad's dead. And so that was kind of my turning point. So I made the decision.

And but that was that was Tommy. That was kind of my moment of clarity. I'm like, I'm a first class piece of shit. I had a three year old son that I had fathered when I was out on parole, abandoned him. He was left with his drug addicted, heroin addicted mother. I'm in prison. Now my dad's dead. And so that was kind of my turning point. So I made the decision.