A former felon, turned doctor, clinical director, and professor, Dr. BJ Davis is living proof that our past doesn’t dictate our future. Our past can refine us. He shares his story of coming to the realization that he needed to create own miracle. Dr. Davis is the Director of Strategies for Change, a substance abuse and mental health treatment agency. He is also the author of the movie “What is Recovery?” In addition to his doctorate, Davis has a dual BA in philosophy and religion, and masters’ degrees in psychology and counseling. Aside from working at Strategies, he is a Professor in the Forensic and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program and consultant to the Sacramento Aids Housing Alliance. It is his history that allows Dr. Davis to speak with authority. A recovering drug addict, Davis spent time in State and Federal prisons, until he found people who believed in him, then a reason to believe in himself. Rather than drugs he depended on praise, and used that to become a director, a doctor, and a mentor. He now uses his unique background in addiction, recovery, and counseling to encourage others to believe in themselves. As of 2020 Dr. BJ Davis is recognized as a Wholehearted Thought Leader. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community in Sacramento, California.