For more than 25 years, the VIA Institute on Character has helped people around the world discover what is best within them. With over 35 million people having taken the free VIA Survey, the language of character strengths has reached classrooms, workplaces, coaching practices, and communities of every kind. While 83% of participants report that discovering their strengths was meaningful, for some, the experience becomes something even more profound — a turning point.
Matthew’s journey with character strengths began while he was incarcerated. Introduced to strengths-based work through Shining Light’s Academy program, he encountered a framework that didn’t define him by his worst moment but instead invited him to see his full humanity and potential.
What began as participation grew into leadership. While still incarcerated, Matthew became an Academy Assistant, a leadership role in which participants help facilitate programming, model character strengths, and support others through the program. After his release, he joined Shining Light as a full-time staff member, continuing to co-create and expand strengths-based programming for others navigating the same path.
Matthew shares reflections on discovering character strengths, how they helped him rewrite his narrative, and why strengths-based language continues to shape his work today.
Have a strengths story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Share your impact story.
You were introduced to character strengths while incarcerated. What stood out to you in that first experience?
What really stood out was the agency. At the time, we couldn’t take the VIA Survey yet, but we were invited to look at all 24 strengths and identify which ones felt effortless, energizing, and essential to who we are.
Being told that I have all of them, and that I get to decide which ones resonate most, was incredibly empowering. I was carrying a lot of shame and guilt. I was the “black sheep” in my family, the only one who struggled with addiction, and it was easy to believe that who I was in prison was who I would always be.
That experience reminded me that I have value. It helped me realize that this moment didn’t define me, and that I had the power to rewrite my own narrative using these strengths.
Do you remember an “aha” moment when things really clicked?
Yes, realizing that I wasn’t defined by my worst moment.
Before learning about character strengths, I knew I had good qualities, but I didn’t have language for them. It was vague. Being able to name my strengths gave me something concrete to work with. I can’t use something if I don’t know what it is.
Once I had that language, I could start using my strengths intentionally to build the life I wanted.
You later took the VIA Survey after your release. What was that experience like?
Even after years of working with strengths, taking the survey was powerful. It was the first time I saw my full strengths profile ranked, including my lesser strengths.
That was enlightening too. It helped me reflect on how I feel about those strengths and how I might develop or use them differently. Every step of my journey with character strengths has been empowering in a new way.
My top strengths are Zest, Gratitude, Love, Hope, and Social Intelligence and they show up everywhere in my life now.
How did character strengths change how you related to other people while incarcerated?
They completely changed my perspective.
I grew up in a small town with a very narrow worldview. Prison forced me into a community with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. Learning about strengths helped me see that if I have all 24 strengths, then so does everyone else.
Instead of viewing people through their flaws, I began to see overuse or underuse of strengths. That shift changed how I engaged with others and how I understood conflict, difference, and connection.
You became an Academy Assistant while still incarcerated. What did that role mean to you?
It was incredibly meaningful. After graduating from the Shining Light Academy, I wanted to give back. Becoming an Academy Assistant allowed me to walk alongside others as they had their own revelatory moments. Even though it was the same curriculum, every group was different and watching people realize their potential never got old.
That experience planted a dream within me. I knew I wanted to work for Shining Light one day.
What was reentry like, and how did strengths support you during that transition?
Even with strong family support, reentry was overwhelming. Suddenly, everything is new: email, health insurance, work, and appointments. It’s a lot. I leaned heavily into my character strengths during that time. They helped me stay grounded and intentional instead of shutting down. A couple months after I came home, Shining Light called and asked if I’d interview for a role. That call came at exactly the right moment.
Today, you work with both the Academy and The Loop. What’s been most meaningful about that work?
Honestly, The Loop surprised me. At first, I thought it was just a magazine. Now I see it as a platform for voice and leadership. I’ve watched people rise into leadership simply by being given the opportunity.
When you tell someone, “I see leadership in you,” they rise to that challenge. Loop groups allow people to create something that reflects who they are while strengthening their community. I’ve seen it change the culture inside facilities.
Empowering people to lead spreads positivity in ways that are incredibly powerful.
What do you hope people take away from learning about character strengths?
That they already have what they need. Everyone has the same set of character strengths. Our dreams may be different, but we all have the capacity to grow, change, and contribute. When people start seeing themselves through strengths, they begin to believe in what’s possible.
I just want people to see themselves the way I see them, through their strengths.
Explore Your Own Character Strengths
Matthew’s story reflects what becomes possible when people are invited to discover and apply what’s strong within them.
If you’re curious about your own character strengths, start by taking the free VIA Survey. From there, you can explore a personalized strengths report designed to deepen self-awareness and support intentional strengths use everyday.
Discover your strengths at viacharacter.org