Sometimes, we have to reach our darkest hour in order to see the light. For Ralph Sanders, this couldn’t be more true. After going down the wrong path and finding himself incarcerated at a young age, Sanders turned to the only one he knew could help him: God. Ever since he found his faith, it has remained central in his life and to who he is as a person.
It has been many years since Ralph Sanders sought God in that prison cell, and he has been faced with further struggles. Through a tumultuous and abusive relationship and incessant online harassment and slander, Sanders has remained steadfast in his faith and his desire for a better life. In his efforts to educate others, Sanders has written four books about his experiences: “Halftime Hustler,” “Held Hostage,” “Break Loose,” and “Meet Me Halfway.” All of his books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
To hear about Ralph Sanders’ past, it’s not entirely surprising that he faced strife and lacked discipline toward achieving his goals. He was raised by a single mother in a large family in Riverside, CA, with little direction or drive. He didn’t apply himself in school but enjoyed playing basketball. His talent on the court was enough to earn him a partial scholarship to Foothill College, where he mingled with college athletes at nearby San Jose State and Stanford Universities.
Exposure to the finer things in life at Stanford was too much temptation for Sanders, and he succumbed to his jealousy and desire for material items. This led to the darkest time in his life. While many young people find themselves perpetually incarcerated due to a lack of support for rehabilitation, Sanders knew in his heart that he could do better. He found God and never looked back.
Now a spiritual practitioner, Christian youth coach, motivational speaker, author, and father to a young daughter, Ralph Sanders dedicates his life to helping troubled and at-risk individuals, especially teens. Juveniles At Risk (JAR) is his youth outreach program in Sacramento, where he helps 15 to 17-year-olds complete their high school diplomas and GEDs. JAR also provides job training for careers in maintenance and construction that can immediately be put to use.
In addition to his work at JAR, Ralph Sanders speaks at high schools throughout Northern California. He is a talented and approachable public speaker who doesn’t shy away from the details of his sordid past; through his honesty, he hopes to stop other teens from going down the same path.
Sanders is active in his community and his church, and also works with adults on recognizing damaging patterns within themselves and addressing troubling relationships that could lead to abusive situations. He visits halfway houses for ex-convicts to encourage them to stay out of the system and pursue a more fulfilling life.
Standing at 6’6” with a charming smile and magnetic personality, it’s hard to believe that this man who stands so tall and proud, was once at rock bottom. But no matter what life has thrown his way, Ralph Sanders has been able to stand firm and turn his struggle into someone else’s inspiration. For Sanders, each time that he has faced near-certain ruin is an opportunity to educate others on how to avoid the same situation.
For Ralph Sanders, life is too short to give up or give in. He strives to live his best life every day, and encourages everyone around him to do the same. Through positivity, perseverance, and a growth mindset, he has achieved everything that he could have hoped for and more.
Ralph Sanders stays active by playing basketball, skiing, and traveling. He enjoys sales and acting in commercials as part of his many ventures.
You can learn more about Ralph Sanders by visiting his website, www.halftimehustler.com, where you can also book him for speaking engagements or book signings.
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