logo
episode-header-image
May 23
1h 24m

NLP676 - From Prison to Purpose: Paul Ca...

Next Level Coaching
About this episode

In this powerful and raw episode, Brad sits down with special guest Paul Casey, whose story of redemption will leave you inspired and fired up to take full ownership of your life.

Paul spent 10 consecutive years in some of the toughest prisons in the California Department of Corrections. But instead of letting that time break him, Paul used it as fuel for transformation. Toward the tail end of his sentence, he got sober, dove into fitness and nutrition, and began helping others with their macros and training—all from behind bars.

Upon release, Paul wasted no time jumping headfirst into the fitness industry—training clients at Orangetheory and leading group fitness classes. Today, he’s the proud owner of The Better You, a thriving personal training business in the Bay Area offering private and group coaching.

We talk about:

  • What prison really taught him about discipline and character
  • How fitness and sobriety became his anchor
  • The mindset it takes to turn rock bottom into a launching pad
  • His transition from incarceration to entrepreneurship
  • Why daily habits and structure are non-negotiable in building a better life

Paul’s story is proof that your past does not define you—and that with purpose, discipline, and a vision, you can rewrite yours.

 

Follow Paul on Instagram - @the_coach_paul

 

Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here

 

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

 

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

 

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

 

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Guest Paul Casey - @the_coach_paul

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

 

Episode Timestamps

00:00 "From Victim to Predator"

08:05 Assault and Terrorist Threat Conviction

14:11 Numbness and Hustle After Loss

17:01 Drug Dealing Descent Into Addiction

22:36 Transformation Through Inmate Mentorship

29:50 Discovering Passion Through Helping Others

35:19 "Sobriety Journey: In and Out"

40:08 Sacrifices for Fitness Success

46:47 Self-Neglect Due to Overcommitment

50:03 Hormonal Differences: Impact on Fitness

54:21 Ego-Free Transformation Journey

59:18 Identity Transformation Steps

01:05:54 Overcoming Negative Self-Image

01:09:47 Sharing Stories Boosts Business

01:14:06 Embracing My Past as an Asset

01:20:28 "Comparison as Joy's Thief"

Up next
Aug 22
NLP701 - Muscle Building, Maintenance Phases, and Optimizing Lifts with Valarie Lusvardi
Valerie Lusvardi is back on the show, and since her last appearance over a year ago, she’s become not only a good friend but someone I’ve worked with in a professional capacity. We even teamed up to help a girl prep for a bodybuilding show. Val is one of the sharpest minds in the ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 19
NLP700 - The Art of Choosing Hard – Designed Discomfort for Growth
This milestone episode is a special one. Brad and Craig dive deep into a topic that separates people who stay stuck from those who create real transformation: choosing hard on purpose. We live in a world designed for comfort—but comfort rarely produces growth. In this conversatio ... Show More
48m 45s
Aug 15
NLP699 - 6 Things You Can Stop Worrying About in Your Health & Fitness Journey
If you’ve been stressing over every tiny detail in your health and fitness journey… this episode is your permission slip to chill out. I’m breaking down six things you just don’t need to waste your mental energy on anymore — from obsessing over your friend’s macros, to comparing ... Show More
32m 41s
Recommended Episodes
May 14
How to Choose the Right Supplements (and Avoid the Wrong Ones)
With so many supplements on the market, how do you know what’s actually worth taking—and what’s just a waste of money? In this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I sit down with Steve Martocci, a tech entrepreneur who’s applying smart tools and real data to help people finally make s ... Show More
1h 19m
May 2024
#067: Why Aren't My Supplements Working? Top 7 Reasons and Solutions (Bioavailability, Dosage, Quality, & More)
We know that many of you rely on supplements to fill nutritional gaps, boost your energy, and support your overall health. But what happens when those supplements don't seem to be doing their job? Cue the frustration. You invest in these products, hoping they'll make you feel bet ... Show More
53m 18s
Jul 29
187. Wade Lightheart & Matt Gallant: Enzyme Fasting, Magnesium Science, NAD & Brain Training
What if everything you think you know about supplementation is backwards, and the real secret lies in the enzymatic processes that bodybuilders discovered decades ago? I sit down with Wade Lightheart and Matt Gallant from BiOptimizers who blow my mind with their lab research show ... Show More
1h 32m
Aug 2024
2411: How to Know You are Overtrained & Underfed, Why You May Not Feel Low Testosterone, How to Properly Cut & More (Listener Live Coaching)
In this episode of Quah (Q & A), Sal, Adam & Justin coach four Pump Heads via Zoom. Mind Pump Fit Tip: If you want your skin to look younger and tighter, do these three things. (2:58) The #1 cause of death for pregnant women. (12:23) The craziest abduction story ever. (17:40) Ang ... Show More
1h 49m
Jul 2024
#837 Weight Loss Expert: "Easy Daily Hacks To Melt Fat, Build Muscle & Stay Young Forever" with Mike Mutzel
Today, I am blessed to have Mike Mutzel here with me. Mike has a B.S. in Biology from Western Washington University and an M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and is a graduate of the Institute for Functional Medicine’s (IFM) Applying Functional Medicine ... Show More
1h 47m
Jan 2025
130. Red Light Therapy: Scam or Science? Here's What The Research Says
Most people think red light therapy is just another wellness fad, but in this short episode, Gary Brecka shares the science behind it, and why red light therapy and photobiomodulation is becoming a game-changer for health optimization. Learn how specific wavelengths of red light ... Show More
11m 41s
Mar 2025
377: Healing from the Inside Out: Powerful Modalities for the Body & Soul
Dr. Howard Cohn joins the podcast to discuss the latest healing modalities in functional medicine and how they converge at the Biostacking Summit! Learn about emerging fields like NET, Quantum Neurology and how we need community and connection now more than ever. Check out the Bi ... Show More
44m 43s
Jun 17
Hot Topic: Terri’s Top Three Takeaways from Atomic Habits
Episode #209 In this week's episode, Terri shares a summary of three, key takeaways from her favorite book about habit change, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Terri highlights that, by using these three principles of behavior change in approaching your goals, you will be better abl ... Show More
28m 2s
Dec 2024
122. Stress Your Way to Better Health with Hormesis
What if the stress you’re avoiding is actually the key to unlocking your peak performance? In this Ultimate Human short episode, Gary Brecka explores the fascinating science of hormesis – nature’s secret weapon for enhancing human potential through controlled stress exposure. Lea ... Show More
13m 59s
Feb 2025
Top 7 Supplements for Men's Health and Performance
In this episode, Dr. David Jockers explores key supplements for men's health. Learn why magnesium is vital for managing stress and supporting many body functions.   Dr. Jockers highlights the critical role of Vitamin D in hormone regulation and immune health. Understand why maint ... Show More
14m 58s