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Jail to gym: The prison workout that saved my life

Facing seven years in jail for drug dealing, Coss Marte is told he might die within five. So he creates a workout inside his cell – and as a healthy, free man opens his own gym.

Facing seven years in jail for drug dealing, Coss Marte is told he might die within five. Overweight with high cholesterol, he designs an intense workout regimen inside his cell, losing around 30 kilos in six months. As a free, healthy man in New York City, Coss becomes a fitness instructor teaching his prison bootcamp and hires other former prisoners. But as an ex-convict, it took years to find acceptance in the business world.

Presenter: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Producer: Maryam Maruf

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Coss Marte. Credit: ConBody)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Tue 19 Sep 2023 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 18 Sep 2023 11:06GMT
  • Mon 18 Sep 2023 17:06GMT
  • Mon 18 Sep 2023 21:06GMT
  • Tue 19 Sep 2023 02:06GMT

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Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

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