When I sat down with Dieter Tejada, I knew I was in for a powerful story. What I didn’t expect was how focused, articulate, and driven he would be. At 17, Dieter was wrongfully convicted of attempted murder. One bad moment, the wrong place, and a flawed system took seven years of his life. But this episode isn’t about loss. It’s about what you do after the fall.
Dieter didn’t waste time behind bars. He studied. He challenged his case. He believed in his innocence and never let go of that. While others adapted to prison life, he prepared for something more. He read legal books, learned how the system worked, and gained the tools to fight back. That’s what impressed me — the mental strength to stay focused when everything is broken around you.
After seven years, Dieter walked free. Not on a technicality, not on parole. He received a full innocence pardon. That doesn’t happen often. The system rarely admits it got it wrong. But Dieter’s persistence, and the support of advocates who saw the truth, made it possible.
What’s even more impressive is what Dieter has done since. He didn’t let the experience define him as a victim. He became a lawyer. Let that sink in. From inmate to attorney. He co-founded a nonprofit to help others caught in the system. He speaks at schools and legal panels. He’s not bitter. He’s focused.
We talked about how the prison system treats young men of color. How easy it is to get swept up if you don’t know your rights. How hard it is to undo a conviction once it sticks. Dieter’s story is personal, but it reflects a bigger issue. The criminal justice system doesn’t always get it right. And when it gets it wrong, it takes people like Dieter to fix it.
He shared what helped him survive mentally. Finding purpose. Keeping a routine. Not falling into the trap of hopelessness. He wrote letters to lawyers. He stayed away from prison politics. He thought like a man who knew he’d get out, even when it didn’t look likely.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt cornered. Anyone who thinks one bad moment defines their future. Dieter proves that mindset matters. Action matters more. You can fight back. You can rebuild. You can lead.
Listen to this episode of Nightmare Success to hear Dieter’s full story. It’s honest, raw, and inspiring. He’s proof that even when the system breaks you down, you still have a say in who you become.