Book Report – Earning Freedom by Michael Santos
Submitted by: Trung Nguyen
Why I Chose This Book
When I first began preparing for the possibility of incarceration, Earning Freedom was one of the first books I was introduced to. Written by Michael Santos, the book chronicles his 26-year journey through federal prison—highlighting how he used that time to transform, contribute, and ultimately build a life of purpose.
This book wasn’t just recommended—it was modeled by the very person helping guide me through my own journey. I knew it would offer practical tools, but I quickly discovered it delivered something even more valuable: perspective.
What I Learned from This Book
Michael’s story begins before his arrest and carries through every stage of confinement and release. What struck me most was how early he decided to stop thinking like a prisoner—and start thinking like a man committed to personal excellence. He didn’t wait for conditions to improve. He built the structure within himself.
Some of the core lessons I took from this book:
Decisions define your path: Even inside a system designed to strip you of control, you still own your mindset. You still decide how you respond to every challenge. That power can’t be taken unless you surrender it.
Document the journey: Michael wrote, tracked, studied, and taught throughout his sentence. That reinforced something I’ve already committed to—using my time to create a documented record of growth, not just for myself, but to help others.
Visualize the long game: Santos constantly envisioned his future, planned backward, and aligned every daily action with that vision. He didn’t wait for motivation—he moved with mission. That clarity gave him momentum most people never tap into, even outside of prison.
How This Book Connects to My Journey
There were moments in Earning Freedom that felt like they were pulled from my own story—especially around business, compliance, and the disconnect between intent and interpretation. But more than the legal parallels, it was the mental commitment to purpose that hit home.
Like Santos, I’ve chosen to approach this experience not as a setback, but as a training ground. I wake up early, train, write, reflect, publish, and teach. I track everything—not just to prove what I’ve done, but to build a system that others can follow. This book validated that discipline. It reminded me that my time can either break me or forge me—and I’ve chosen the latter.
It also showed me what’s possible. Michael didn’t just serve his time—he converted it into value. He walked out with books, partnerships, a business plan, and a mission. That’s how I want to walk out: ready, prepared, and unshakable.
How Will Reading This Book Contribute to My Success
Earning Freedom reinforced what I’ve already committed to:
Discipline. Documentation. Direction.
But it also gave me a longer lens. This isn’t just about making it through a sentence. It’s about building something so solid, so value-driven, that I come out stronger, more focused, and more impactful than I’ve ever been.
Michael’s example shows that even inside four walls, freedom is earned—not granted. I’m working every day to earn mine—not just in the legal sense, but in how I live, think, serve, and rebuild.
This book isn’t just a memoir. It’s a blueprint.
And I plan to follow it—with purpose, power, and perseverance.
