What does it take to rebuild your life when you’ve lost everything?

At just 21, Shawn Balva went from top football prospect to facing 40 years in prison. But prison didn’t break him, it built him. In solitary confinement, he found faith. In structure, he found purpose. And through it all, he transformed from inmate to mentor.

I sat down with Shawn to unpack how pain, discipline, and spiritual conviction reshaped his identity, and how he’s now helping others find redemption in their own story.

In this episode of Common Denominator, I unpack:

🙏 The first prayer that sparked Shawn’s spiritual awakening

💥 What prison taught him about leadership, identity, and mindset

🧠 Why true change starts with structure and self-respect

📚 How he turned isolation into authorship and impact

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Guest Links:

Follow Shawn: https://www.instagram.com/shawnbalva/

Buy his book Conviction: https://www.shawnbalva.com/online-store

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: From Promising Athlete to Incarceration

03:06 The Downward Spiral: Addiction and Crime

05:49 The Arrest: A Turning Point

08:55 Life in Prison: A Journey of Transformation

11:43 Finding Faith and Purpose Behind Bars

14:53 Lessons from Solitary Confinement

17:47 Life After Prison: Rebuilding and Giving Back

20:52 The Power of Mentorship and Community

23:45 Writing 'Conviction': Sharing My Story

27:02 Gratitude for the Journey

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

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