Marko Anderson was incarcerated as a young offender in Calgary, and has spent every year since building a different life — as a father, a Justice Studies student, an entrepreneur, and a speaker who tells young people the truth about where certain choices lead, and what it actually takes to turn things around.
Marko Anderson speaking on his story and the youth justice system.
Trusted by KidsPlay Foundation · Gloves Not Guns · Struggle Is Your Success · Centre for Newcomers · Community Safety Forum · Olympus Boxing Gym
His message isn't a motivational speech he memorized — it's the honest version of what happened to him, what he did with it, and where he's headed now.
Marko was incarcerated at the Calgary Young Offender Centre as a teenager. That experience — including the isolation of serving time during the COVID-19 pandemic — shaped how he understands consequences, fear, and what young people are actually up against.
Having a family gave him a reason to build something different. Everything he does now, he does with his kid in mind.
Marko is currently studying Justice Studies, working toward a Criminal Justice degree and a Juris Doctor after that.
He runs a business, speaks to schools and organizations across Calgary, and built Setback 2 Comeback to give that work a home.
His goal is to become a criminal defence lawyer focused on youth — the same kids the system once had him sitting across from as the accused.
"I don't glorify what happened to me. I explain it — clearly enough that someone else doesn't have to live it to understand it." — Marko Anderson
He talks about accountability without shame, about the justice system from the inside, about isolation, about what actually pulls kids toward gangs and drugs and how that pull can be interrupted. He talks about fatherhood, about going back to school later than most, and about what it takes to keep choosing a different path when the old one is still calling.
None of this is theory for Marko. It's the reason schools and youth organizations bring him in — not for a polished stage act, but for a story that holds up because it's true.
Marko's upcoming memoir about his time inside the Calgary Young Offender Centre during COVID-19 — written raw, not cleaned up for effect. It's part of the larger story he shares on stage, not the whole of it.
Marko speaks to the people who are closest to this issue — the young people living near it, and the adults trying to reach them. Every talk is shaped around the audience and the goals for the day.
What actually changes after you hit bottom — and what doesn't happen automatically.
How kids actually get pulled in, and what it looks like from inside that world.
An honest, unglamorized look at what happens once a young person is inside.
What it did to people who were already struggling with connection and mental health.
Owning what happened without staying stuck in it.
Rebuilding a life around responsibility instead of survival.
Practical insight for the adults — teachers, parents, workers — trying to reach at-risk kids.
A hands-on workshop for young people and parents, built around the questions Marko gets asked most: when are you actually allowed to defend yourself, and how do you stay out of the system while doing it?
This workshop grew out of Marko's own experience — he was incarcerated after defending a family member, and learned firsthand how thin the line is between lawful defence and a criminal charge. He built this program so others don't have to learn that lesson the same way.
The session covers personal safety, conflict avoidance, de-escalation, and clear-eyed decision-making under pressure, alongside the actual basics of Canadian and Alberta self-defence law — what the law protects, and where it doesn't.
Hosted by Marko Anderson. Each season runs five episodes built around one theme, with guests who made it through backgrounds like his — and are honest about what it actually took.
Entrepreneurs, athletes, community leaders, politicians, and advocates talk about their childhood, addiction, subculture, and everything that shaped them before the highlight reel — the story behind the success, not just the success.
People who built something from nothing, and what it cost them along the way.
Athletes and coaches on pressure, setbacks, and what happens after the spotlight fades.
Law enforcement, corrections, and community leaders on the systems this show is about.
Episodes, guest profiles, and video links are on their way — check back soon or follow along on social media.
Setback 2 Comeback shows up for people in Calgary who are dealing with more than a bad day — through practical support and steady mentorship, alongside local partners.
Getting essentials to people who need them, with dignity and no strings attached.
Warm clothing for community members heading into a Calgary winter without enough.
Ongoing, one-on-one relationships with young people navigating their own setbacks.
Working alongside organizations already doing this work on the ground.
If your organization or business wants to get involved, there are a few ways in.
Get InvolvedMarko Anderson was a guest speaker at the Struggle Is Your Success Annual General Meeting, where he courageously shared his powerful journey from involvement in the youth justice system to becoming a Justice Studies student, father, advocate, entrepreneur, and public speaker. Marko spoke with honesty, confidence, and authenticity. His ability to turn difficult experiences into lessons of hope, accountability, and perseverance deeply connected with our audience. We received extremely positive feedback from those in attendance, many of whom were inspired by his story and message. Marko is a passionate and engaging speaker who brings a perspective that cannot be taught—it comes from lived experience. We are proud to support the work he is doing through Setback 2 Comeback Speaking and would confidently recommend him to organizations looking for a meaningful, inspiring, and impactful speaker.
— Struggle Is Your Success
Yesterday, we had the privilege of welcoming Marko Anderson to speak with the youth at our Gloves Not Guns program. Marko shared his journey from youth custody and gang involvement to college, pursuing law, becoming a public speaker, and writing his first book. His message wasn't about where he's been—it was about where he's going and the choices that made the difference. He challenged our youth to understand that their past doesn't have to define their future, that accountability is what creates real change, and that the decisions they make today will determine where they'll be tomorrow. He also spoke about how pain can either break you or become the reason you choose to help others, using his own life as proof that transformation is possible. These are the conversations that matter. When young people hear from someone who has lived the life, accepted responsibility, and built a different future, hope becomes tangible. Thank you, Marko, for sharing your story with honesty, humility, and courage. Your willingness to be vulnerable and speak from lived experience made a lasting impact on everyone in the room. At Pivot Society, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to rewrite their story. Because that's where prevention begins. Connection Over Correction.
— Gloves Not Guns, Pivot Society
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