We were lucky to catch up with George Nolan recently and have shared our conversation below.

George , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission of Refine2Inspire is deeply personal to me. It isn’t just about creating another program; it’s about pouring my heart into work that reflects my own journey of transformation and redemption. For so long, I was trapped by my past—by the mistakes, regrets, and the feeling that I would never be seen as more than my worst moments. I know what it’s like to feel the weight of judgment, to believe that I’m stuck in a cycle that has no end. That’s why Refine2Inspire isn’t just important; it’s essential to me, because it represents my commitment to helping others see that they are more than the labels society may place on them.

This mission matters because I’ve lived on both sides—knowing what it feels like to be lost, and now understanding the power of finding purpose. Refine2Inspire is a platform where I can use my experiences to guide others out of the darkness, to give them hope and the practical tools they need to transform their lives. I want to show people that even the hardest journeys can lead to incredible destinations if we refuse to give up. For me, it’s about paying forward the hard-won lessons and second chances I’ve been given, and about making sure others know they’re not alone on this path.

Refine2Inspire is important to me because it’s my chance to be the support that I once needed, to help people see that they’re not defined by their past, and to empower them to shape their own futures. It’s a mission that’s written into my story, and every day I get to live out that mission by making a real difference in people’s lives—helping them find hope, healing, and the strength to redefine themselves just as I have.

George , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is George Nolan, and I’m the founder of Refine2Inspire. My journey into this work is deeply personal and shaped by my own life experiences. I spent 17 years in prison, trapped in a cycle that included addiction, survival, and the darkness of feeling like life was never going to change. I remember moments that I’m not proud of—standing in line to share a dirty needle, trying to numb myself from the reality of where I was and the choices that brought me there. Those years in prison, tangled in addiction, taught me hard truths about isolation, despair, and what it really means to feel lost.

Refine2Inspire is my way of helping others find their way out of that darkness. Our work isn’t just about providing a program or a set of tools; it’s about being a lifeline for those who are still in the struggle, who need to see that they’re not alone and that there is hope on the other side. We offer personal development programs, workshops, and a supportive community for those impacted by incarceration, addiction, and the cycle of poor choices. I know the challenges people face when they’re trying to rebuild from rock bottom because I lived them. That experience allows me to approach this work with empathy and respect, providing practical skills like interview preparation, financial wellness, and communication training alongside the deep, inner work that it takes to truly heal and transform.

At Refine2Inspire, we don’t shy away from the difficult parts of the journey; we embrace them. We work to help people see that no matter what they’ve done or where they’ve been, they have the power to rebuild their lives and create something meaningful. I am proud of the countless individuals whom we have served. They left with a renewed sense of self-worth, confidence, and hope.

For anyone reading this, I want you to know that Refine2Inspire is here to offer real, compassionate support. We are not just a service; we are a community that understands and believes in the power of redemption. We believe that every person is more than their past, and our mission is to help each one of them see a brighter future.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that truly illustrates my resilience—and the power of advocacy—happened just before my release. I was told I wouldn’t be allowed back into the prison system, that even though I wanted to return to support and mentor others still inside, it wasn’t going to be possible. I couldn’t accept that answer. I knew firsthand how much hope and guidance could mean to someone facing incarceration, and I was determined not to let that door close on me or on the people I wanted to help.

So I advocated for myself. I wrote directly to the Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, explaining why this work mattered to me and how I believed I could make a real difference by supporting others as they prepared to reenter society. It was a long shot, but I refused to let that initial “no” define my path. In an unprecedented decision, my request was granted, and I was given the privilege to return the very next day after my release. This experience changed me—it showed me the true power of advocacy and the importance of not letting obstacles become permanent barriers.

At Refine2Inspire, that spirit of resilience and advocacy is what drives us. I know that if I could create a path where none existed, others can too, with the right guidance and support. That’s what we offer—a lifeline to those who might think the odds are stacked against them, reminding them that obstacles can be overcome, and new paths can be forged, no matter the circumstances.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that people with a past—especially those of us with histories of incarceration and addiction—don’t deserve a fair chance to re-enter society or that we’ll always be seen through the lens of our mistakes. Growing up and living through experiences that reinforced this belief, it was easy to start accepting it as truth. Spending 17 years in prison and facing the struggles of addiction, I saw firsthand how people like me were often written off and judged by their worst moments.

Now, through intentional transformation, I see the world differently. I’ve come to believe in the power of change, in our ability to break free from our pasts and to create meaningful futures for ourselves. This shift isn’t just for those who have faced incarceration or addiction; it’s for anyone who wants to become better, to elevate beyond their current circumstances, and to create a life of purpose. I know that every individual has the potential to redefine their life, no matter where they’ve been. This perspective fuels my work with Refine2Inspire, where I’m committed to helping others realize they can choose to become something greater, to grow beyond their history, and to embrace a path filled with hope and possibility. Through intentional steps, we can all transform our lives, and that belief has changed everything for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.georgenolan.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgenolan2021/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558498942591
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-nolan-b8895b280/
• Youtube: @GeorgeNolan-yx4qm
• Other: https://www.outlawstoadvocates.com

Image Credits

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