The first feature you see when you meet Chris Nelson is his baby blue eyes. He grew up in California under the thumb of an alcoholic step dad. At a young age his athleticism stood out and he was deeply involved in football, basketball and baseball. However over time, he gravitated towards the “stoners” and started down that slippery slope. Turning his back on the sports he loved, by the age of 22 he found himself a meth addict. His sister told him how the light had left his beautiful eyes. 14 years and 3 trips to prison later he finally started to come to himself and facing another prison term he was given the opportunity to go to Delancey Street in San Francisco where he spent 4 years realizing the man that should have been. There he met Dave Duroucher. Following him to The Other Side Academy he now lives a life of service and purpose helping others to come to themselves and become the good person God made. His is a story of triumph.The first feature you see when you meet Chris Nelson is his baby blue eyes. He grew up in California under the thumb of an alcoholic step dad. At a young age his athleticism stood out and he was deeply involved in football, basketball and baseball. However over time, he gravitated towards the “stoners” and started down that slippery slope. Turning his back on the sports he loved, by the age of 22 he found himself a meth addict. His sister told him how the light had left his beautiful eyes. 14 years and 3 trips to prison later he finally started to come to himself and facing another prison term he was given the opportunity to go to Delancey Street in San Francisco where he spent 4 years realizing the man that should have been. There he met Dave Duroucher. Following him to The Other Side Academy he now lives a life of service and purpose helping others to come to themselves and become the good person God made. His is a story of triumph.


Sponsors & Partners
Freedom Scholars Academy
My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org
The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com


00:00 - Chris Nelson
01:50 - Sponsors
02:50 - His Young Life
05:20 - Living a Duplicitous Life
09:30 - Driving Off a Cliff
13:00 - Big Boy Jail
14:05 - Meth at 22
17:40 - Prison & Fatherhood
20:15 - Out On Another Run
21:20 - Back Behind Bars
26:13 - Delancey Street
32:30 - Reaching Self-Belief
39:40 - Things are Looking Up: The Other Side Academy
46:45 - “Stop seeking validation from other people.”