NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — After years of transforming his life, a North Dakota man is proving that second chances can lead to something extraordinary. Adam Martin's journey took a monumental step forward Wednesday. He has officially been pardoned as one of Doug Burgum's final acts as Governor of North Dakota. "There's no hole so dark that hope can't shine," said Adam Martin. That hope for Adam Martin is now shining extra bright. Martin received a full pardon for his felony criminal record. But how did we get here? Well, Martin says it all started when he turned 13. "I spent a lot of time in foster homes, juvenile detention centers, boot camps, jails, detox centers, and homeless shelters. From the time I was 13 until I got sober when I was 31 or 32, it was absolute chaos," Explained Martin, who is also the founder and CEO of the F5 Project. "I moved from job to job, from couch to couch, detox to detox, and I couldn't put more than a couple days sober, together. And then one day, without being locked up without having to go to detox or treatment, none of those things applied to me getting sober, It was the community around me of people who were willing to give me a second chance." From felon to CEO: North Dakota man seeks pardon to inspire redemption Now he's doing the same thing for others through his non-profit: The F5 Project. It's a statewide initiative dedicated to helping people break free from the cycles of incarceration, addiction, and mental health struggles. Fast-forward to 2024, and he applied for a pardon—not only for himself but also to inspire anyone who thinks it's impossible. He then headed to Bismarck for one of the biggest meetings of his life, with North Dakota's Pardon Advisory Board. "They do live interviews with the candidates, they make recommendations, and then at the end it's, like a lot of things as Governor, it's a judgment call," explained former North Dakota Governor and Interior Secretery-Elect, Doug Burgum. "He was like, 'It seems having a felony background hasn't been that much of a burden to you because of all of your accomplishments, so what will this do for you?' And I told him there are grants or contracts we apply for where they do background checks as an organization, which would be helpful. And then I said, 'And you never know, I might run for office one day.' And then Drew Wrigley joking said I could take his job if I wanted. And we all chuckled," said Martin Martin received the official notice of his granted pardon from Burgum, on Wednesday morning. And he said if he could go back in time to his younger self, there's only one thing he'd say. "I think I would talk to my mom and tell her that everything's going to be okay," said Martin. "Because I think there were probably many nights that she sat up waiting, concerned, probably even times she thought the best I was ever going to do is be in prison, almost hopeful that I would go to prison just to know that I'd be alive," Martin said. "I think that if I could go back in time it would be to have her rest assured that she raised a boy that's going to do good things." This decision by Burgum means anything is possible in Martin's new life. The decision not only clears his criminal record but also symbolizes the power of redemption, offering a beacon of hope for those who, like Martin, are determined to rewrite their story. "I really believe that as long as people put in effort, have a good attitude, and are willing to do trustworthy acts, that anything's possible." Martin said he is now able to go hunting, which has been on his bucket list. But said he's most excited to spread the message of hope and perseverance through his pardon. Gov. Burgum pardoned 40 people in 2024 and 295 in total from 2017-2024. Those numbers include THC pardons. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW