top of page
IMG_3496.JPG

EMPOWERING  MEN AND WOMEN TO ESCAPE THE ODDS
 

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET CHANGE YOUR LIFE

WHO IS AARON SMITH 

SPEAKING A COMPARISON.JPG
" I WENT TO JAIL TO FIND MY PURPOSE, I DEVELOPED THE MAN WHO WAS ALWAYS IN ME BY SWITCHING MY HUSTLE TO HELPING OTHERS"

AARON, SMITH CEO/FOUNDER

SITTING IN LIVING ROOM SKYKLINE.JPG

WHY ESCAPE THE ODDS WITH AARON SMITH?

Aaron Smith, founder of Escape The Odds Media, faced significant challenges during his early life in public housing on the south side of Chicago. Engaging in the illicit sale of heroin, he earned substantial profits, despite simultaneously obtaining a bachelor's degree in business management from Columbia College. However, Aaron's criminal activities led to legal consequences, resulting in a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl at the age of 25.

 

During his nearly decade-long imprisonment, Aaron underwent a remarkable transformation. Fueled by his faith, he shifted his mindset from a life of crime to one focused on providing hope. Since his release in February 2019, Aaron has achieved remarkable success, establishing a thriving trucking company and producing an award-winning podcast titled "Escape The Odds." Additionally, he is working on a documentary project focused on re-entry. His work has been featured on Good Morning America, Chicago Crain’s Business, Chicago Sun Times and more media publications. Aaron travels extensively, sharing his story and inspiring incarcerated individuals and inner-city youth while also providing economic enrichment programming to inner-city youth and justice impacted individuals.

 

As a natural entrepreneur, skilled media producer, and re-entry expert, Aaron is dedicated to changing perceptions about formerly incarcerated individuals. Having overcome tremendous odds himself, he aims to empower others seeking transformation. Aaron firmly believes in the power of mindset shifts and adapting pursuits to change one's trajectory, stating, "You can also change lanes by switching your mindsets and hustles."

PNGasseenon.PNG

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

CHICAGO AND BEYOND.png
IMG_5483.JPG
IMG_4377.PNG
HYDE PARK .png
IMG_5484.PNG
ADV_Horizontal_BLK.jpg
a nonprofit.JPEG
CITY POINT.jpg
CHICAGO LEGAL AID.jpeg
BUDDY BEAR.jpeg
DUPAGE COUNTY.jpeg
GEO GROUP.jpeg
OPPL Logo.png
IMG_4378.PNG
IMG_4383.JPG
HIRE 360.png
CTA.png
GREENWOOD ARCHER.png
PODCAST COVER PIC.JPG

Award winning Podcast

NATIONAL SPEAKER

Behind the Scenes During Prison Tour 

prison photos_edited.jpg
IMG_0019_edited.jpg
IMG_0977.JPG
IMG_1002.HEIC

ESCAPE THE ODDS INSTITUTION COURSES

Switch-Hustles-University.png

*Each course is 5 -7 weeks in length and meets virtually once weekly

(90 min per session) , up to 15 students per cohort.

Black Yellow Professional Online Course A4-5.png
Quote.png
Quote (1).png

BOOK US TO TEACH AT YOUR INSTITUTION!

ESCAPE THE ODDS MEDIA DOCUMENTARY
COMING SOON

bottom of page