Meet Holli McEachern

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Holli McEachern. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Holli, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

At the heart of my story lies a journey through adversity, redemption, and ultimately, purpose. In 2007, I made choices that landed me in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, sentenced to 25 years for drug trafficking. It was a dark time filled with betrayal, including by some of my closest family members, which only deepened my sense of loss and despair. But during those early years of incarceration, I realized I had two options: to give up or to fight back. I chose the latter, which was the catalyst that transformed my life.

It wasn’t an easy road. For the first several years, I was consumed by regret, anger, and frustration. However, being behind bars forced me to confront my choices and the lessons life was trying to teach me. The most powerful of those lessons was about self-accountability and forgiveness—not only for those who betrayed me but also for myself. In that reflection, I found something unexpected: a deep calling to help others in dark places similar to mine.

While incarcerated, I knew that knowledge was my key to freedom, both mentally and spiritually. There was a Prison Initiative opportunity from Columbia International University, so I enrolled and earned my Associate Degree in Biblical Studies with a concentration in Ministry. It was during this time that I felt a strong desire to serve something bigger than myself. That education laid the foundation for my future. I also became a certified Braille Transcriptionist through the Library of Congress, a skill that gave me purpose while behind bars and allowed me to contribute to the world in a meaningful way, even from within a prison cell.

But my fight wasn’t over. I believed my sentence was too harsh for a first-time offender and relentlessly worked on my case for 10 long years. In the end, my perseverance paid off when my conviction was overturned. I walked out of prison with a new lease on life. What should have been the most difficult chapter of my life instead became a story of redemption and rebirth.

Once free, I became very disheartened by the reality that the one thing I could never change, my crime, would hinder me from the workforce, healthcare, and other assistance until I was established. After all that personal development, certifications, degrees, self-discovery, and Governor’s pardon, none of that mattered. These are some of the challenges that cause the recidivism rate to skyrocket. So, I began sharing my story through books like Blood Ain’t Thicker and The Path2Redemption Anthology, which helped me reach others facing struggles and tough choices. My upcoming release, Becoming HER, is the culmination of everything I’ve learned about healing, empowerment, and resilience. I realized that my story wasn’t just mine—it was a tool to inspire others who felt hopeless or defeated.

Today, I use my experiences to give back. I’ve returned to the prison system, but this time as a Credible Messenger Mentor with Path2Redemption for the Department of Juvenile Justice. It’s my mission to guide incarcerated youth and show them there is a path to redemption, just as I found mine. I’ve been blessed to speak at institutions like Howard University, Benedict College, and Claflin University, sharing my lessons in hope and transformation. Featured on several local news stations and invited as a keynote speaker at Restorative Justice Conferences, I’m preparing for my first International Conference.

My journey from incarceration to finding my purpose has been long and filled with challenges, but it has shaped me into the person I am today. Through my books, my mentoring, my podcasting, and my public speaking, I’m committed to helping others realize that you are the author of your story, and at any time, you can turn the page and write a new chapter.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am currently focused on a mission deeply rooted in transformation and redemption. Through my work with Path2Redemption, I serve as a Credible Messenger Mentor, where I help incarcerated youth rediscover their potential and show them that there’s a way forward, no matter the mistakes of the past. My role is to guide these young people, many of whom come from challenging backgrounds, toward personal growth and healing, helping them avoid the same pitfalls that once entrapped me.

What excites me the most about this work is the profound impact it has—not just on individuals but on families and communities. By sharing my story, I’m able to connect with these youths on a level that traditional mentors may not be able to. My chapter in the anthology is called “Kill The Kid, Kill The King” where I delve into helping every kid identify the King or Queen in them. Once they have realized that everything they need to be great is within they need a safe space conducive to cultivating what they are carrying. I’ve walked in their shoes, faced betrayal, made bad choices, and fought my way back. The path to redemption is possible, and I’m living proof of that. What makes my work special is that I’m not just telling them what to do—I’m showing them what’s possible by leading by example.

One of the most exciting next steps in my journey is the development of “Path2Transformation Homes”, which we plan to open for youth who have no safe place to go upon their release. These homes will be more than just a shelter—they will provide a stable, nurturing environment where young men and women can continue their growth, gain life skills, and transition back into society. Many times, when these youths leave the system, they have nowhere to turn, which can easily lead to recidivism. We want to break that cycle by providing not just a roof over their heads but a path to success.

In addition to this, I’m preparing for the release of my third upcoming book, “Becoming HER”, on November 15, 2025. This book delves into the healing, empowerment, and resilience that I’ve discovered along my journey and serves as a guide for women who are ready to reclaim their lives. My speaking engagements, such as those at Howard University and the National Association on Community and Restorative Justice, continue to allow me to share my message of redemption and hope with wider audiences.

I’m incredibly passionate about expanding my work to create lasting change—both through the mentorship I provide and the transformational homes I’m developing. My goal is to ensure that these young people, regardless of their past, have the support and guidance they need to thrive in the future. It’s not just about rehabilitation; it’s about empowering them to realize their potential and step into their greatness.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities that shaped my journey were perseverance, self-awareness, and a desire for continuous growth. These three areas not only helped me survive difficult circumstances but also transformed my mindset, enabling me to thrive once I found my purpose.

1. Perseverance: My situation in prison seemed hopeless at times, especially during the long years fighting for my case to be overturned. But the ability to keep going, even when the odds were stacked against me, was essential. Perseverance isn’t just about pushing forward; it’s about believing that the path you’re on will eventually lead to a breakthrough, no matter how long it takes. For those early in their journey, my advice is to break down long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate small victories along the way, and stay focused on why you started in the first place. Remember, “You’re Built Different.”

2. Self-Awareness: Understanding who I was—both the good and the bad—allowed me to make the necessary changes in my life. In prison, I had the time and space to reflect deeply on the choices I made, the person I was, and who I wanted to become. I learned to accept responsibility for my actions and, more importantly, forgive myself. For those beginning their journey, developing self-awareness is crucial. Engage in self-reflection through journaling, meditation, or therapy. The more you understand your motivations, habits, and triggers, the better equipped you’ll be to make lasting changes. Everything you need to be great is already inside of you.

3. Continuous Growth: My pursuit of education and new skills, like obtaining my Associate Degree in Biblical Studies and becoming a certified Braille Transcriptionist, helped redefine my sense of purpose. Even in the most challenging environments, I focused on learning and growing. My advice to others is to remain a student of life, “You Stop Learning, You Stop Living.” Whether through formal education, learning new skills, or simply reading books that expand your worldview, commit to evolving. Growth isn’t linear, but it’s always forward-moving.

To develop these qualities, surround yourself with mentors, resources, and communities that support your progress. You have to remain where the anointing is. Perseverance comes from having a strong support network, self-awareness grows with honest reflection, and continuous growth thrives in environments that challenge you to rise.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One book that has played a pivotal role in my personal development is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. This book revolutionized the way I think about behavior change, particularly through its focus on how small, incremental habits can lead to transformative results. One of the most impactful concepts from “Atomic Habits” is the idea of “vision” and how we engage with our world through “sensory receptors”. Clear emphasizes that much of our behavior is driven by the cues we pick up from our environment, whether consciously or subconsciously.

Clear explains that every action we take is prompted by a cue, which then triggers a craving, response, and reward. One of the most powerful nuggets from the book is the idea that to change a habit, we need to become aware of these cues. In the chapter discussing sensory receptors, Clear explains that by intentionally designing our environment—whether by changing what we see, hear, or feel—we can make it easier to adopt good habits and harder to engage in bad ones.

For example, if your goal is to read more, having a book visible and within reach makes it much more likely that you’ll pick it up while keeping distractions (like your phone) out of sight reduces the temptation to indulge in mindless scrolling. This principle of creating an environment that aligns with your vision is a powerful tool for self-growth.

Additionally, Clear emphasizes that vision is not just about setting goals but about building systems that reinforce those goals. He says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” This taught me that long-term change isn’t just about having big dreams, but about the small, sustainable actions I take every day to bring that vision into reality.

In short, “Atomic Habits” has provided me with practical wisdom on how to use my environment and sensory cues to shape my actions, aligning them with my bigger goals and ultimately supporting my journey of becoming HER—Healed, Extraordinary, and Resilient.

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