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Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life after Prison
Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life After Prison was recognized by James Altucher as one of the most impactful hybrid books ever written, placing it alongside some of the world’s most influential best-sellers and book recommendations he shares with his audience.
No matter who you are, no matter how bad things look, you can rebuild your life.
In 2012, Craig Stanland made a choice that would cost him everything. After he had exploited the warranty policy of one of the largest tech companies in the world for almost a year, the FBI finally knocked on his door.
He was arrested and sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution. He lost his wife, his homes, his cars, his career, and even his identity. He wanted nothing more than to die.
Blank Canvas is a meditation on our remarkable capacity to rebuild and reinvent our lives. Through powerful storytelling, Craig proves that our greatest adversities do not have to be the end. Sometimes, they can be our greatest beginning.
No matter who you are, no matter how bad things look, you can rebuild your life.
In 2012, Craig Stanland made a choice that would cost him everything. After he had exploited the warranty policy of one of the largest tech companies in the world for almost a year, the FBI finally knocked on his door.
He was arrested and sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution. He lost his wife, his homes, his cars, his career, and even his identity. He wanted nothing more than to die.
Blank Canvas is a meditation on our remarkable capacity to rebuild and reinvent our lives. Through powerful storytelling, Craig proves that our greatest adversities do not have to be the end. Sometimes, they can be our greatest beginning.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2021
About the author
Craig Stanland
1 book5 followersIn 2012, Craig Stanland made a choice that cost him everything: his career, his marriage, his homes, his cars, and even his will to live.
His actions led to a two-year federal prison sentence and the unraveling of the life he'd built.
But hitting rock bottom wasn't the end. It was the beginning.
Craig is now a keynote speaker, reinvention architect, TEDx speaker, and author of Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life After Prison, a memoir recognized by James Altucher as one of the most impactful hybrid books ever written, placing it alongside some of the world’s most influential best-sellers and book recommendations.
He helps individuals and organizations unlock potential by sharing his raw, powerful journey from corporate success to federal prison to a life defined by creativity, authenticity, purpose, and fulfillment.
Through his work, Craig reveals invaluable lessons on resilience, personal growth, and the art of reinvention, proving that it's never too late to rebuild, reimagine, and thrive.
His insights have been featured in The Good Men Project, Addicted 2 Success, Tiny Buddha, Intelligent Change, Brainz Magazine, and The Altucher Report.
When he's not on stage or writing, you'll find Craig hiking, paddle boarding, attending car shows, relaxing at the beach, or hanging out with his three special-needs cats.
His actions led to a two-year federal prison sentence and the unraveling of the life he'd built.
But hitting rock bottom wasn't the end. It was the beginning.
Craig is now a keynote speaker, reinvention architect, TEDx speaker, and author of Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life After Prison, a memoir recognized by James Altucher as one of the most impactful hybrid books ever written, placing it alongside some of the world’s most influential best-sellers and book recommendations.
He helps individuals and organizations unlock potential by sharing his raw, powerful journey from corporate success to federal prison to a life defined by creativity, authenticity, purpose, and fulfillment.
Through his work, Craig reveals invaluable lessons on resilience, personal growth, and the art of reinvention, proving that it's never too late to rebuild, reimagine, and thrive.
His insights have been featured in The Good Men Project, Addicted 2 Success, Tiny Buddha, Intelligent Change, Brainz Magazine, and The Altucher Report.
When he's not on stage or writing, you'll find Craig hiking, paddle boarding, attending car shows, relaxing at the beach, or hanging out with his three special-needs cats.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 5, 2021
Craig has a way with words and making you feel like you are right there with him as he is experiencing these major life events. You can feel his regret, embarrassment, and uneasiness as he has to face the consequences of his actions. He is very humble throughout this book and acknowledges his wrong doings, and yet you can tell that his experiences have shaped and molded him into the man he is today. You feel as if you are growing with him and you can tell through his writing that he is a great motivational speaker. Thank you, Craig, for sharing your story and facing your fears of publishing this head on. I highly recommend for someone who feels as if they have reached rock bottom to help them see the hope of what’s on the other side.
July 6, 2021
So so good! By far my favourite memoir of the year!
June 22, 2021
Blank Canvas is a beautifully written book. Mr. Stanland is masterful in drawing the reader in and making one feel as if they are with him for every moment of his journey. A must read for everyone on the power of resiliency, forgiveness and self-discovery.
May 29, 2021
From the outside it look like Craig Stanland had everything. Gorgeous wife, great job and all the trappings of a successful man. However it would take for him to lose everything when he was sentenced to prison for him to truly understand himself and find genuine happiness.
"I am not my past - the power of owning the story versus being owned by the story"
"I am not my past - the power of owning the story versus being owned by the story"
August 16, 2021
Change and Reinvention are POSSIBLE! Craig will show you!
After hitting rock bottom, Craig Stanland had a major choice to make: give up or rebuild.
After making a choice that pushed him to lose everything, Craig found himself in federal prison for two years, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution.
Let’s go back in time quickly.
In 2012, Craig exploited the warranty policy of one of the world’s largest tech companies for his financial gain.
After making this choice and enduring the lowest point of his life, he ultimately made the choice to rebuild his life once released from prison.
Blank Canvas, is Craig’s memoir, where he explains how he reinvented his life after prison. He pushes the powerful message that: no matter who you are, no matter how bad things look, you can rebuild your life.
Today, Craig works 1:1 with people on how they can reinvent themselves without burning their life down or burning themselves out.
He helps them push towards fulfillment, purpose, passion, and meaning in their lives, just as he did himself during the two years in prison.
No matter how bad things get, you can always make a choice to go up. Craig Stanland and his new book, will help you get there!
After hitting rock bottom, Craig Stanland had a major choice to make: give up or rebuild.
After making a choice that pushed him to lose everything, Craig found himself in federal prison for two years, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution.
Let’s go back in time quickly.
In 2012, Craig exploited the warranty policy of one of the world’s largest tech companies for his financial gain.
After making this choice and enduring the lowest point of his life, he ultimately made the choice to rebuild his life once released from prison.
Blank Canvas, is Craig’s memoir, where he explains how he reinvented his life after prison. He pushes the powerful message that: no matter who you are, no matter how bad things look, you can rebuild your life.
Today, Craig works 1:1 with people on how they can reinvent themselves without burning their life down or burning themselves out.
He helps them push towards fulfillment, purpose, passion, and meaning in their lives, just as he did himself during the two years in prison.
No matter how bad things get, you can always make a choice to go up. Craig Stanland and his new book, will help you get there!
October 27, 2021
Amazing journey
A hard fought for journey to his best self, a light on the path for all . A must read !
A hard fought for journey to his best self, a light on the path for all . A must read !
May 1, 2022
Good read.
Man, had to reinvent himself, after going to prison. He used a computer for his crimes. Since he was caught, he is no longer allowed to use one, nor go back to his former career.
I feel more sorry, for his wife. I too, was married to a man, that went to prison. I stayed by him, during that. He rewarded me by cheating on me, stealing from me, lying about me, and marrying an acquaintance.
I left, cheating was one of the two deal breakers.
Glad you learned a lesson from this.
Mine did not. He died, in 2015. After trying to get me back since 1989.
Man, had to reinvent himself, after going to prison. He used a computer for his crimes. Since he was caught, he is no longer allowed to use one, nor go back to his former career.
I feel more sorry, for his wife. I too, was married to a man, that went to prison. I stayed by him, during that. He rewarded me by cheating on me, stealing from me, lying about me, and marrying an acquaintance.
I left, cheating was one of the two deal breakers.
Glad you learned a lesson from this.
Mine did not. He died, in 2015. After trying to get me back since 1989.
January 2, 2023
Interesting and captivating read
An easy read, sentence flow great! Not choppy like most books nowadays. Keeps interest with real life story, details enough with bogging down with boring sideline rambling thoughts. Will appeal to any generation.
An easy read, sentence flow great! Not choppy like most books nowadays. Keeps interest with real life story, details enough with bogging down with boring sideline rambling thoughts. Will appeal to any generation.
January 8, 2024
inspiring book
Well done: compelling story. It is interesting to hear the journey of someone who “had it all” and then went to prison. The perspective of gratitude and possibility he shared after prison is inspiring. You don’t need to go to prison to benefit from his message.
Well done: compelling story. It is interesting to hear the journey of someone who “had it all” and then went to prison. The perspective of gratitude and possibility he shared after prison is inspiring. You don’t need to go to prison to benefit from his message.
January 27, 2025
Shocking, and inspiring. The author takes us on a voyeuristic journey that is painfully honest, soulfully deep, and extraordinarily uncomfortable. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews