Kevin Baker

A truly unique Inspirational and Motivational Speaker.

Kevin Baker’s story is nothing short of astounding. He embarked on an extraordinary journey, traversing a path less traveled. From a life of affluence as a high-achieving financial services wholesaler, he plummeted into the depths of opiate addiction, leaving his family and himself financially destitute.

Through all of this, Kevin has learned and shares skills and techniques for overcoming any obstacles and failures, large and small, that come our way.  His message is one of optimism through PERSPECTIVE, and how specific action steps for dealing with life’s challenges can light a path forward no matter how dark things may get.

He was gifted a life of affluence, a country club lifestyle with the cars, vacations and all the trappings of wealth. However, through several spinal reconstructive surgeries on his lower back, Kevin became addicted to opioid pain medications. Finally, in losing the lengthy battle with addiction, now facing foreclosure and bankruptcy and with his moral/ethical compass damaged beyond comprehension, Kevin lost control.

In January 2016 he walked into a local bank and committed his first FELONY ARMED BANK ROBBERY.

Just eleven days later, he ROBBED THE SAME BANK AGAIN. This time the getaway was not as smooth. A high-speed chase, often at speeds over 80 mph, followed. Through several towns, with about twenty different police cars involved, and with towns put on lock down, he somehow evaded them all and made it back home.

With a partial license plate and other clues, the Connecticut Major Crime Unit had identified Kevin.

On Sunday, February 14, 2016(Valentine’s Day), after being taken out of his home at gunpoint, Kevin was arrested and charged with several major felonies.

He ultimately plead guilty to two felony convictions of Robbery with a Dangerous Instrument: each conviction carrying a seven-year sentence. Kevin was sent to Connecticut's Super Max Prison and then spent the next 6 years at a Level 4 (of 5) Security Prison that ironically is just 4.6 miles from the very bank he had robbed twice.

Accepting all responsibility for his crimes, Kevin began his incarceration with the Connecticut Department of Corrections as Inmate #413541.

In moving beyond castigating himself for what was already written, Kevin dedicated himself to a life yet to live. In his journey through prison, he realized there is a choice - count the days behind the bars or MAKE THE DAYS COUNT.

With rigorous study, research, and self-inspection, along with significant support from family, close friends, counselors, the prison priest, and others; he began to see a future still possible. He learned to harness the power of PERSPECTIVE and look at February 14, 2016, as a watershed date for him. Keeping a “glass half-full” mentality, that date became not the worst day of his life - but a new birth, a life-saving event and a second chance. The Connecticut State Police had saved his life that February 14th. Certainly, he would be dead and buried by springtime had they not.

Having reemerged into society, Kevin now stands as a messenger. His experience illustrates how mastering the power of a positive PERSPECTIVE can serve as the ultimate defense against darkness in our lives. He teaches audiences about using coping techniques from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, combined with his experience of having it all, and losing everything, to teach the value of PERSPECTIVE and using it to navigate all of life’s challenges, obstacles and failures and living the life we choose to live.

This presentation can teach us that:

•       Living a great life is possible through perspective and attitude versus environment, socio-economic status and possessions.
•       Perspective is our greatest weapon against the on-going turmoil and unrest we encounter along our journey.
•       Perspective can allow us to better understand our fellow humans and to be more patient with our loved ones, coworkers and friends.
•       Perspective can bring inner peace, radical acceptance of what is and the faith to see a bright future even when skies are dark.

Kevin now delivers his unique experience going from the top of the Financial Services Industry to a prison cell; and sharing the lessons he has learned to audiences all over the country. Now reunited with his family, he lives in West Hartford, CT and is making the best of every day he has been gifted.