In his upcoming biography, “From PRISON to PhD,” Dr. Richard Morris shares a narrative that redefines the American dream. It is a story of a “Waymaker,” a term Dr. Morris uses to describe the divine intervention and personal grit required to turn a life around after hitting absolute rock bottom.

The Combat Veteran’s Struggle

Before he was a doctor, Richard Morris was a soldier. Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and later the Army National Guard, he lived a life of discipline and service. However, like many veterans returning from the Iraq War, he brought back more than just memories. The undiagnosed PTSD led to a spiral of alcohol and poor decision-making choices that eventually led him from the supply lines of the desert to the confines of a federal prison cell.

“I hope it brings you peace, inspiration, and the reassurance that God truly is a waymaker. May these pages encourage you and remind you that no challenge is insurmountable with faith.” Dr. Richard Morris

Redemption in the Darkest Moments

Prison is often seen as an end, but for Dr. Morris, it was a crucible. It was where he lost his father and grandmother while powerless to help them, but it was also where he found his voice, literally in the prison choir. It was the place where “Black Ice” began the transformation into the scholar and leader we know today.