Estes Summer 2026 Weekly Journals

Monday                                                                                                March 23, 2026

Monday was a very eventful day. We thought we were going to be testing, but it turned out to be a more relaxed atmosphere. We danced and prayed in before we began the day with a quote and comments.

Soon after that, we assigned a few “fun names” and met new PEP brothers who had arrived over the weekend. As that drew to a close, the Servant-Leaders called five individuals up to the front who had recent birthdays. We all sang our version of “Happy Birthday”!

Andrew H., a doorman, did not sing and was therefore awarded a spin from the “Wheel of Doom.” He landed on “Get the ball, George!” and it was funny seeing him chase an imaginary ball.

We then watched a video that Adam W. had prepared for us from a concert that he hosted in the Dallas area. Top Notch Entertainment was enjoyed by all. Some of the new guys ran their pitches, and Adam W. gave his feedback.

We took a break to eat lunch, and when we returned to class, we completed another session of Toastmasters and reviewed some of the speeches. It was a very busy day but well worth it.

By the end of the day, a few of the Servant-Leaders went over expectations for the next day with some of us. They also passed out books and workbooks to the new PEP brothers. We were dismissed by row, hung up our name tag badges and grabbed our things after praying out. We also shook hands with staff and volunteers on the way out the door. The day seemed to be very eventful. Our abilities, as a class, are growing every day in PEP.

Chad F. (aka “Laney Wilson”)

Tuesday                                                                                              March 24, 2026

Tuesday was a usual day at PEP. The day began by testing on Chapters 1 and 2. Both tests were extremely challenging. They were centered around the history of small businesses, as well as key terms and terminology. The shocking part was how the test was structured. It showed us the areas where we are weak.

One really cool part was the testing platform. The 10 questions were followed by a written response and then a peer review. It was exciting to be able to show my hard work and determination by completing the test successfully. The peer review section was equally intriguing because we were able to see how our peers answered the questions and understand their reasoning. After reading their responses, we had to give feedback and comments on one another’s answers. This allowed us to respond positively.

After we all finished our test, they sent us back to our living area for some downtime. Once back, we were given the opportunity to discuss among ourselves. This gave us a chance to offer constructive criticism if one or more of us passed. If someone did not pass, we were able to lift him up and offer support. In this way, we all had a chance to give or receive a pat on the back and gain knowledge for the next test.

After we returned to class, we prayed in, which for me is a great way for the whole class to collectively decompress, allowing God to bring peace and unity to all of us. Once the prayers were completed, we began to practice pitching, actively listening to and watching each other present our business ideas. This gave us an opportunity to give positive feedback. Once class was finished, we prayed out, bringing us closer together through the Lord.

Jordan F. (aka “Patches from Dodgeball”)

Wednesday                                                                                           March 25, 2026 

Today we focused on shaking off those pesky public speaking jitters. Everyone was required to pitch in front of the entire class and receive insightful wisdom from both our In-Prison management and our well-versed Servant-Leaders. Most of us have had one or two opportunities to speak in front of the class before. However, for a few new arrivals, this was their first time speaking in front of such a large group of people.

What really differentiated this from pitching in our dorms was the added grading aspect. Each man sat in a posture of pure attention, taking mental notes as to what they did and didn’t like. This was not a chance to degrade anyone but rather to offer specific advice to help a speaker better deliver his pitch.

Each man was able to pitch, gaining more confidence in both his idea and ability to convey that idea to an audience. We all sat with some level of anticipation as we waited for our turn. But once called upon, everyone managed to rally within themselves the fortitude demanded to stand in the limelight. At face value, it might not sound overly difficult. Remember though, we are also paying attention to detail and making sure to achieve the finer points and objectives of great public speaking.

It might have been a bit draining, but by the end of today, we all felt better prepared for our first event, the Big Idea Pitch. The chance to utilize our newfound speaking skills in front of a live audience is an honor.

 Spencer L. (aka “Smooches”)

Thursday                                                                                            March 26, 2026

Today was a great morning to wake up and strive to be better. A few of us like to wake up at 6 a.m., giving us time to do our daily routines and take time for ourselves. This morning we got together, prayed, worked out and then watched the news. We spent some time discussing the war going on in Iran. We all hoped the war doesn’t have a major impact on anything we have going on or on any of our sentences.

After discussing all the things going on in the world today, we sat around and waited for the officer to come and get us for class. At around 7:45 a.m., we were called out to the PEP room. The first thing we always do upon entering the room is get our name badges and put them on. Then, we danced and prayed in before introducing the three new classmates. They will have a lot of work to catch up on, but we’ve already decided to help them with anything they need.

Today, we had our entrepreneurship class taught by Carl B., and he did a great job delivering the information. At 11:30 a.m., we took a break to eat lunch. Today, they served pork tamale pie (which nobody really likes, but it’s better than nothing). We were told to come right back to the classroom after we ate, so we can discuss the Big Idea Pitch event tomorrow. After discussing the event, we were let out of class early so we could work on our pitches.

When we got back to our dorms, they were calling commissary for the current class. This was a blessing. Finally, after coming back from commissary, we ate, prayed and got ready for tomorrow’s big event.

 Severo G. (aka “Jellybean”)

Friday                                                                                                 March 27, 2026

Today was busy, but it was great. We had our first pitch panel today with the Big Idea Pitch. We started the day by going into the PEP room. We prayed in and danced for at least 30 minutes. First, it was pods against pods. Then, it was singles, doubles and groups. We had a lot of fun, and everyone here needs dance lessons.

When the executives came into the classroom, we all stood up and clapped. They had to dance from the back of the room. Then, they sat down and listened to our pitches before the Big Idea Pitch event in the gym. The new PEP brothers pitched first, so they could get practice. The executives gave us advice, and we spoke with them until we left to eat lunch. When we returned from lunch, we were asked to get ready to go to the gym.

Upon entering the gym, we were given a great welcome, and we started dancing. Our Character Development Specialist, David F., asked the inmates and executives to stand on opposite sides of the gym. He stood in the center and asked questions that showed how much we had in common. Then he asked us all to come to the center of the gym and shake hands.

Afterwards, we split into four groups to pitch in front of 11 executive volunteers in each group. After our pitching, we were each allowed to sit with an executive for five minutes for a one-on-one conversation. Then we all sat down and watched as new PEP executive volunteers were introduced, followed by some brownies before being sent back to our living areas.

 Charles G. (aka “Vanilla Nice”)

Expressions

“Stay down ‘til you come up.”

– Stephanie King

These words can take you a long way in life. What these words mean to me is a lot because my mom always told me, “Stay down ‘til you come up.” Just because you see everyone with all the things you don’t have, does not mean that you will not get the chance to get them. Just stay down and give God your all, and He will give you His all, which is more than you can imagine. To have that self-awareness to stay strong and not follow other people will show your true character.

Stay away from people who don’t want to see you win, and the things that you want and need will come. I am a firm believer that if you put great energy into whatever you want, God will show you things you can’t see. Apply this in your day-to-day life and see how far God will get you in life. Do not trust in yourself but in God.

I was the same way. I wanted fast money and wanted everything right now. I did not trust in anything until God showed me that, with Him, everything is possible. So, let go and let God do the work. You have the ability to make choices that reflect your values. So when people say, “Look what I got,” just stay down ‘til you come up. I stopped all the bad things I was doing for God because money and the fast life is not where it’s at.

Alvaris D. (aka “Missy Elliot”)

Monday                                                                                                March 16, 2026

Monday was a very busy day for us. We woke up to another day that wasn’t promised. We made our way to the PEP classroom, turned in our homework and put on our PEP name badges. We sat down according to our daily seating chart. Then, we went to the back of the room and danced like we do every morning. We prayed to the Lord, thanking Him for another day and for watching over our families. We also asked Him to continue to bless and protect them.

Next, we started our first Toastmaster speech called the “Icebreaker.” We took turns listening to our fellow PEP brothers’ life stories, and we had a great opportunity to get to know each other. We were also able to see an example of what our business plan pitch presentations will be like. Today, we were assigned a product service offering sheet to fill out, as well as a market research request before our lunch break.

A group of us talked about how we thought our speeches went and how nervous we were speaking in front of such a large crowd for the first time. After lunch, we returned to the classroom and listened to more of our fellow PEP brothers deliver their speeches. After a while, we prayed out. We thanked the Lord for bringing us together to listen to each other’s Icebreaker speeches. We ended by putting our name badges back on the bulletin board, and we were released one at a time from the PEP room.

Kristopher C. (aka “Shaggy”)

Tuesday                                                                                              March 17, 2026

Today started out different from any other Tuesday – not only was it a super cold day, which made it more difficult to get out of our warm beds, but we wanted to catch up on rest from the day before. Today is St. Patrick’s Day, so for breakfast we had pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs. While this may sound like a normal meal for most people, it is rare to have something like that here.

When we returned from breakfast, we took showers to warm up and wake up for the day to come. Then we made our cups of coffee to make sure we stayed alert. As we waited to be called out for class, the officer came in to announce that class had been canceled. PEP brother Gonzalo C. (aka “Amanda Perez”) had a look of disappointment on his face. Realizing how cold it was, we climbed back into our beds and got under our blankets to warm up again.

Although class was canceled, we still made the best of the day by studying the textbooks we’d received the day before. For many of us, it was the first time we had a college-level textbook. We also started reciting our pitches to each other. Looking around, we could see the dedication of our PEP brothers as they worked diligently on their homework assignments.

            David C. (aka “Patrick the Starfish”)

Wednesday                                                                                        March 18, 2026

Today was an unorthodox day. It’s usually a day when we have the morning off, but this time we reviewed the book Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD. As a class, we were prepared for the change. Even though we were all a little tired, there is nothing like that morning dance in the classroom to get all our blood flowing and bring our energy back.

Since we are only a few weeks in, we’re still working on introductory assignments such as the Myers-Briggs test and the Virtual Family Day interview prompt for our Family Liaison. We all enjoyed the interview because it gave us a chance to work on our communication skills and use a laptop, which is not something we get to do very often. We also gained two new classmates this morning. We had fun giving them their fun names (nicknames), which is everyone’s favorite time.

This afternoon, we did not have to go back to class because the graduates had Clubhouse. Just because we didn’t have class doesn’t mean there wasn’t work to do. Many of us used the free time to work in the dorm to practice our pitches and get signatures for our Business Pitch Competition signature sheet.

Overall, we had a productive day. We took in the daily wisdom we received and applied what we’ve learned to our assignments and studies. It’s a lot of work, but it also brings a lot of growth, which is something we are all looking forward to.

Bryan C. (aka “White Goodman from Dodgeball”)

Thursday                                                                                            March 19, 2026

Today, we started off by getting up and going to class. First, we prayed in, then we listened to a few classmates talk. Afterwards, many of us gave our business pitch that we will be presenting at the upcoming event. Next, we went to lunch. Usually, we go back to the dorm after we eat, but today, we had to come straight back to class. We listened to a couple more people give their pitch before an executive came to talk to us.

We discussed Chapters 1 and 2 from our entrepreneurship textbook. Chapter 1 was mainly about starting an entrepreneurial business. Chapter 2 dealt with the success of a business after it has been founded. We will be tested on these two chapters next week. After the executive talked to us, we prayed out and were released back to our pod. After we got back to the pod, we ran our pitch for a couple of PEP brothers so we could get our pitch sheet signatures and feedback on any improvements we need to make. Soon after, it was time to go to dinner.

When we got back to the dorm, we got ready for a pod meeting, where we got into our accountability groups and had a discussion. Then, we talked about two of PEP’s 10 Driving Values, which we had to learn for the week. The pod tutor made us some flash cards so we could study for our first test next week. Toward the end of the day, we made some phone calls, talked to our loved ones and got ready for class tomorrow.

 Gonzalo C. (aka “Amanda Perez”)

Friday                                                                                                 March 20, 2026

Today was a fun day. We started the morning off by turning in our homework (always due as soon as we come in). After turning in our homework, we danced to loosen up, and we had fun with it. Then, the final thing we do is pray-in to get our morning officially started.

Once class began, a few brothers went up to deliver their pitches for the upcoming event. A lot of us were surprised and shocked at the great ideas our brothers presented. We also had a few brothers speak on the importance of changing our thinking process and the benefits that come from it. Next, David F. got up and talked to us about his vacation with his family. The morning session ended around 10:30 a.m., and we broke for lunch. After eating, we went back to our living quarters until 11:30 a.m., when the Servant-Leaders came to get us for afternoon classes.

We began the afternoon by dancing some more before a few more brothers delivered their pitches. Then we started BetterMan. We went over Chapter 1 in the BetterMan handbook before breaking into small groups, where we talked about manhood and the four challenges a man faces moving forward. We had a really good group. We talked about things that had us opening up about personal experiences we normally wouldn’t share with anybody. We all felt safe being around each other and expressing how we felt.

After the group discussions, the class got back together, with one person from each group sharing some highlights of what was discussed. After finishing BetterMan, we prayed out before we were released back to our living quarters. We had a very busy day today, but we all felt everything that we go through is worth it to produce the results we’re seeking.

 Kevin C. (aka “Mini Scoop”)

Expressions

“The quicker you let go of old cheese,

the sooner you find new cheese.”

– Spencer Johnson, MD

This is a simple yet powerful statement. In the book Who Moved My Cheese, cheese is just that: cheese. But in life, cheese is whatever we want it to be. We tend to hold on to things, whether because we get comfortable, like the way we feel when we have it or are just outright selfish. Then one day, we look up and realize that “it” isn’t there anymore. Where did it go? Why did it leave?

This quote states what I have learned to apply to my life. As I prepare to transition back into society, I have to ask myself what “cheese” am I holding onto? I ask because when I get out of prison, if I am still holding on to old cheese, two things are certain: there will be no room for change, and I will repeat the cycle that brought me to prison.

I have also learned that there is more than one kind of cheese out there. I know that I have to clean out my fridge and toss out old people, places and things. I cannot allow myself to keep compromising. I’m going to lose some friends, old hangouts and possessions, but this will allow me to make room for positive things and people who want to see me succeed.

Remember, the next time you need to clean out your fridge, don’t be afraid to let go and embrace the change. There is more than one type of cheese out there, and you owe it to yourself to try to discover what’s best for you. Sounds like freedom, and you deserve that, don’t you think?

Floyd C. (aka “Teddy Pendergrass”)

Monday                                                                                                  March 9, 2026

Today was a very exciting day in class, since we have been waiting patiently for the first day of the class of Summer 2026 to start! We really didn’t know what to expect; when we made it to class, the instructor told us to go to the back of the room after we had taken our seats already. All of the sudden, we heard music playing and the Servant-Leaders (program graduates there to help us) announced that we had to start dancing with our brothers as a group to loosen up our stress. That was awesome to do together. It helps us to build a stronger brotherhood and bond amongst each other. After we returned to our seats, we opened up the morning by giving praise to the Most High for allowing this opportunity.

Our Character Development Specialist, David F., helped to start this great day. He talked about a lot of great things such as starting your own business, staying focused and not losing sight of the things we really want in life. Just because it doesn’t happen right then and there, doesn’t mean it’s not going to work. He encouraged us to remember that we just need to work a little harder sometimes. David F. then showed us a quote on the board that read, “Lazy people have to work harder!” He then asked what that meant to the group. The gist of it was that lazy people need to work harder because they don’t prepare.

Right after he finished the lecture, we began to get our “fun names.” I know what you are asking yourself: “What is a fun name?” A fun name is a nickname that the group picks for each PEP brother. It is designed to break through the hard shell that we’ve built around ourselves in this prison environment. It basically brings us back to childhood, where we can have lots of fun and be ourselves. That went on for about an hour. We had lots of fun, plenty of laughs and began to feel human again. After that, it was time for us to leave and make our way back to the dorm for lunch.

So, we ended the day on a wonderful note and prayed for another blessed moment. It was well worth every second of it.

Kory A. (aka “Strawberry Fanta”)

Tuesday                                                                                               March 10, 2026

Today in class we danced so we could get the day started in a positive manner. Then, we prayed in. After the pray-in, we went over the “quote of the day” and talked about what it means to us. After that, we listened to people introduce themselves, tell us where they’re from and share their fun name. We then listened to the emcees tell us about the intake process. After that was done, each of us had our pictures taken. We then began to use the pictures we took for a class project: our Coat of Arms, where we cut out our face from the photo we took and glued it onto a superhero’s body. We then surrounded the superhero with more cutouts of values and goals. We incorporated images, words and symbols that reflect our values, aspirations and goals we aim to achieve. We had to add two of PEP’s 10 Driving Values into our design. Our Coat of Arms is designed to represent who we are as men. We sat at tables with crayons, scissors, magazines and glue to create our Coat of Arms. We learned how to work in a group, share and get along with one another. We had fun today getting to do arts and crafts.

We all had a good day in class, using our creative side to get the assignment done. It made us really think about what we thought of ourselves and the values and goals we want to achieve. When we were done, we prayed out as a group and went back to our pods for the day.

Kyle A. (aka “Ricky Bobby”)

Wednesday                                                                                            March 11, 2026

We had the day off today, but that didn’t mean we stopped working on our homework or memorizing our pitches. This morning, some of the guys went to medical while the rest of us went to recreation to exercise and get our bodies going. Once we came back from lunch, we decided to get in groups to work on our business pitches, with each of us taking turns reciting our pitches. When we were done, we were given feedback, which some of the guys called our “critical review.” This was a way to joke around with each other while allowing walls to be broken down. A lot of us are still getting used to letting our guards down and relaxing around each other. We all know that at the end of the day, the jokes are out of pure love and respect that we have for one another.

After we finished practicing our business pitches, we sat down and talked. We really took the time to get to know each other a little better. This included discussing what we expect from PEP, our future goals and how excited we are to walk across the stage for graduation. Hearing stories from the Servant-Leaders had us really excited because not all of us have been blessed with an opportunity like this before. After getting our work done, some guys continued to converse over coffee while others watched a movie. We are all anxious to know what comes next, and every night when we go to bed, we dream of having a better future. Thank you, PEP.   

Julio B. (aka “The Alien from M.I.B.”)

Thursday                                                                                               March 12, 2026

Today was a productive day. We entered the classroom, grabbed our name badges and turned in any homework that was due. The tone was set with the left side of the room heading to the back and dancing up. Afterwards, the rest of us matched their energy and were of one accord. Next, we prayed in unity for strength to get us through the busy day. After that, we had a series of entrepreneurship lectures dealing with a variety of subjects. These were followed by testimonies from our Servant-Leaders to close out the morning. We all felt that the lectures were great.

Normally, when the morning half ends, we eat lunch before heading back to our pods for a couple of hours to rest and recharge before the afternoon classes begin. Today we ate and came back to the classroom because we had pitch panel practice. We enjoyed our brothers’ competitive drive in executing their potential business pitches. It requires a lot of time and dedication for every brother to hold each other accountable. Therefore, we as brothers have become one tree that bears fruit for one another. It’s not easy in the beginning. But with consistency, all of it develops muscle memory that helps us to strengthen our daily routine. PEP has certain fundamental standards that require excellence, and it’s the 10 Driving Values that cultivate the PEP community. We finished strong in our evening half and were dismissed from our session around 3 p.m. Some of us had dorm chores to do, but the majority of us had homework to complete. We’re working on getting a head start for the upcoming test next week. It was a long day, but the good Lord got us through.  

 Adrian C. (aka “Reggie”)

Friday                                                                                                    March 13, 2026

Every day in PEP is exciting. Since we just started class, we are still finding out what the days are going to be like. We’ve just completed our first week, and we’re taking every step of the journey together. Today was our first Friday, and it was a short day for classroom activities. Like every other day, we started off by turning in any homework assignments that were due. Then we danced, which got everybody up and in a good mood. After that, we came together as brothers and prayed. We really enjoy this part of the day because there is always an opportunity for someone different to pray us in and pray us out for the day. Today we also received our supplies, which consisted of a journal, pen and several books for the different classes within PEP’s curriculum. Today we had a pitch panel, which means we got up in front of our class to pitch our business ideas. This is a great way to prepare us for the Business Plan Competition (BPC). We’ve practiced every day by going in front of each other pitching and getting feedback so that we can be ready when we deliver our business pitches to the executive volunteers.

We’ve also already received our first Toastmasters assignment. This is the exercise that most of the class really looks forward to. When we introduced ourselves to the class and spoke about our goals, a common goal we shared was a desire to improve our public speaking skills. It’s going to be a challenge to go up to the podium and make our first Toastmasters speech next week. Though it’s a challenge, it’s still exciting. It is an honor to be a part of PEP. This program is really giving us the opportunity to help each other and become better men for our families.    

 Miguel C. (aka “Wilderness Cooking”)

Expressions

“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

– Lao Tzu

For me, living in the past is a bad idea. If I spend all my time reflecting on my past mistakes, my outlook on my present and my future wouldn’t be as bright. At the same time, we live in a society that is painful, stressful and full of worries. It’s pointless for me to keep thinking or living in the future because if I spend all my time worrying, I won’t have the chance to enjoy the biggest gift God has given me: the present. Living in the present allows me to make better choices, which also leads to a brighter future. I’ve learned to cherish the present moments, such as when I tell my family I love them or enjoy the company of a good friend. I refuse to be a slave to worrying about my future.

Today, I become an adventurer of the present moment by enjoying every moment that God has given me, listening carefully to what others have to say. I am giving myself the gift of a “Fresh Start” Outlook. I’ve learned there are things in my past that I cannot change, and worrying about the future only brings unnecessary stress. Overall, I’ve learned that living in the present has filled my life with joy and happiness. That’s especially good, because the present is all we have.

Noe A. (aka “Bob from La Bamba”)