How I Left the Streets Behind After 15 Years in Prison

Today’s guest is Isaiah James — also known as Resilient Lion. Isaiah spent 15 years in and out of prison, first going inside at just 15 years old. Caught up in gang life, he believed crime was the only path to success. But during his last sentence, everything changed. He found faith, discovered fitness, and committed to self-development — rebuilding not just his body, but his identity. Since his release, Isaiah has launched Freedom Through Fitness, delivered workshops inside prisons, and even ran around every single prison in London — a powerful statement of breaking free from the cycle of reoffending. You can also listen to this episode as a podcast: https://linktr.ee/afterprisonpod Useful organisations: Untapped - Combine fitness coaching with entrepreneurship training for disadvantaged and justice-involved young people. https://www.fitforlifeyouth.co.uk/ XO Bikes (London) - Trains and employ ex-offenders as bicycle mechanics, providing prison-based training and post-release work opportunities to reduce reoffending and support community reintegration. https://xobikes.com/ Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/