From Prison Cell to Business Empire: The Logic of Redemption

In a truly unprecedented episode of the Beyond the Boardroom podcast, host Aleksandra King sits down with a guest unlike any other: Lewis Raymond Taylor, a diagnosed psychopath and star of The Psychopath Life Coach. The atmosphere is charged from the very first moment, as Aleksandra candidly admits to being "scared" and notes that she has "never interviewed a psychopath before". He, however, remains unfazed, stating matter-of-factly, "obviously I don't feel anything".

This episode takes listeners on a harrowing yet inspiring journey through Lewis's life. From a childhood devoid of affection to a turbulent young adulthood marked by addiction and violence, he holds nothing back. The pair dive into discussions on the reality of living with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), a condition which Lewis views as a form of neurodivergence rather than inherent evil. Together, they explore the complexities of a man who has transitioned from a violent inmate to a celebrated author and CEO, proving that even the darkest narratives can be rewritten.

The Descent into Violence and Prison

Describing a childhood marked by a distinct lack of love, Lewis opens up about the early years that shaped his worldview. He recalls a father who was an alcoholic and verbally abusive, frequently calling him a "buffoon" and telling him he would "never amount to anything". Lewis explains that he never received the physical affection most children rely on, such as hugs or being told "I love you". Consequently, he began to equate "significance" with love, seeking attention first through performance and later through rebellion.

His search for significance eventually led him down a dark path of violence and crime, candidly admitting to the podcast that he initially "quite enjoyed" prison because he was attracted to the chaos and the adrenaline of violence. His criminal behavior escalated from juvenile delinquency to Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), resulting in three stints in prison.

Bravely, he aknowledges a chilling incident where he assaulted a man in a taxi queue, causing the victim to hit his head and fall into a coma. At that moment, his primary concern was not for the victim, but for the fact that he had been caught on camera and was going back to jail. This lack of empathy is a hallmark of his condition, yet it was this incident that eventually set the stage for his transformation.

The Turning Point: "Nothing Changes"

The pivot in Lewis’s life did not come from a traditional "rock bottom" emotional breakthrough, but from a logical realization. After being sentenced to 18 months in prison, a friend showed him a photo comparing his current situation to one from seven years prior, captioned: "Nothing changes".

"I realized that if nothing changes, nothing changes. And I did realize that I was doing the same things... And that's the definition of insanity."

Returning to his cell, Lewis looked into a scratched metal mirror and saw himself clearly for the first time. He realized he was the problem, but also the solution. He decided then that he wanted the "other extreme" of life: not normality, but extreme success.

Rehabilitation Through Education

Once Lewis decided to change, his brain’s "filters" shifted to see opportunities instead of obstacles. He signed up for education in prison to partly earn an extra pound a week but found a mentor in a tutor named Susie. When Lewis claimed he was too "stupid" to understand the work, echoing his father’s abuse, Susie challenged him with calculating the circumference of a circle using Pi. Lewis misunderstood the assignment and instead memorized Pi to 100 decimal places overnight. When he realised his mistake, he went back and memorised it to 500 places just to prove his capacity.

"She said, 'Of course you can go to university'... And it was a level of belief that no one had had in me before, including myself."

Lewis went on to achieve distinctions in an access course and entered university, eventually building a multimillionaire business empire as a life coach. Learn more about Lewis's Life Coaching business and his business advice to Aleksandra on this blog post.

Lewis's story is a testament to the power of self-education and the possibility of change, even for those society has written off. With the correct mindset and drive, anyone can succeed and overcome adversity. Lewis's story and so many others are available now on the Aleksandra King YouTube Channel.

➡️ Check out our recent article featured on National World to discover more about the Beyond the Boardroom podcast.

Published By Aleksandra Media