In this fireside chat recorded at the Full Stack Business Builder Conference, James Altucher addresses a fundamental concern for entrepreneurs: succeeding without traditional qualifications.

Damon West was handed a 65-year prison sentence after spiraling from a promising college quarterback into meth addiction and becoming the leader of a burglary ring. This episode covers the dramatic highs and devastating lows of his journey, from his arrest and brutal introduction to prison violence to his profound transformation inspired by the "coffee bean" metaphor.

In Part 2 of my memoir-writing series, I reveal how to turn your life’s most meaningful moments into a bestselling autobiography using powerful storytelling techniques, the Six U’s framework, and examples from some of the most impactful hybrid books ever written.