Hi, I’m Craig Stanland.
Welcome to my page.
I f*cked up; you don’t have to.
How?
Let me show you how my journey can help you craft your own extraordinary second act.
I was a massively successful corporate sales executive with all the professional, financial, and materialistic success many would say was having “it all.”
But that couldn’t have been further from the truth; I had zero sense of direction, purpose, meaning, authenticity, or fulfillment.
My life was riddled with fear, self-doubt, and a sense of unworthiness and inadequacy.
I felt suffocated by my own success, trapped in a life that didn’t truly reflect who I was.
Desperate to break free, I made a catastrophic choice:
I defrauded a tech giant. The consequences were severe.
The FBI arrested me, I was sentenced to federal prison, and I lost everything material. But my greatest loss was my sense of self.
I had no idea who I was but hated who I had become.
At my lowest, I considered ending my life until a simple visit from a friend changed everything.
From here, my life transformed, and one of the most important questions we can ever ask ourselves presented itself:
Continue as is, or choose to create something new and reinvent?
I chose reinvention.
Today, I’m a Speaker, Reinvention Architect, and Author of the best-seller, “Blank Canvas, How I Reinvented My Life After Prison” and the soon-to-be-published series, “Mastering Midlife: Get Unstuck, and Reinvent Your Authentic Extraordinary Second Half.“
I also write the “Midlife Reinvented” newsletter. A weekly edition filled with actionable strategies and insights from my personal journey over the last decade.
My mission? To inspire you to discover your authentic self, unleash your full potential, and craft a meaningful, extraordinary second act.
And, most importantly, to do it NOW
Not later, not waiting for life to change, not waiting for the “perfect” time, but NOW.
Ready for Your Reinvention?
Join The “Midlife Reinvented” Newsletter
This is your first step toward creating your extraordinary second act.
📣 Looking for a keynote speaker that will leave your audience inspired and ready to take bold action in their lives?
Let’s connect and bring the power of reinvention to your event.
Speaking Engagements
With a deeply personal story of overcoming federal prison and hitting rock bottom, Craig delivers powerful keynotes that resonate with anyone seeking to unleash their potential, discover purpose, and live authentically.
Midlife Reinvention Newsletter
Are you professionally & financially successful yet woefully unfulfilled? Are you ready to craft your authentic and extraordinary second half? Join the “Midlife Reinvention” newsletter for weekly tips, insights, and inspiration.
Blank Canvas Book
This book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a roadmap for anyone who has ever felt lost inside their own life, a guide back to authenticity, and a call to action to reinvent. Hear more about Craig’s memoir and purchase Blank Canvas.
Hear from Craig
Craig is a regular contributor to numerous blogs and publications and has been a guest on many different podcasts. To read and hear the latest from Craig, see the latest blog posts and our in the media section.
The Latest from Craig
-
A Life Lesson On Self-Love While Sitting On The Couch
Over a month ago, I had a huge opportunity before me. Explora Journeys recognized my thought leadership in the realm of personal reinvention. They invited me to be Luminary as part of their onboard enrichment program. I’d be delivering 3 unique talks around personal reinvention. A week before the trip, I…
-
From Endless Wanting to Embracing the Now: My Transformation After Prison
Years ago, I was walking in one of my favorite places, Tod’s Point, in Old Greenwich, CT. It was a stunning day, and everything just felt “right.” I was filled with joy and in a state of pure, unadulterated bliss. I started to think about what I could do to make…
-
Cutting the Strings of the Past: How to Reclaim Agency in Your Life’s Second Act
“An empty coffee pot left on the coffee maker will shatter and hurt you.” I remember, but I can’t recall where I heard this as a kid, but it stuck with me. So much so that every morning, after I pour the last drop, I turn the machine off and place…
-
Unworthy of Success? Rewriting the Narrative That Blocks Your Potential
“I feel unworthy of success.” The words carry weight beyond their brevity. Feeling unworthy of success is a devastating, imprisoning belief. When we carry this belief, we’ll stand in the way of our success. We’ll be our own worst enemy. If, even through this, we’re able to reach our definition of…
-
How To Thrive Beyond Your Professional Identity
Unlived dreams and a restless spirit: It’s time to confront the life you could lead beyond the confines of your job title. Your career does not preclude you from becoming someone else. It’s easy to fall into the identity trap wherein you are your title. You’re not a one-trick pony; look…
-
3 Superpowers I Earned After Turning Down 350K After Prison
After prison, I landed a job working the front desk at a gym in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It was a great job to land after prison; I was still getting my legs underneath me after falling to rock bottom and slowly climbing out. I met many of my…