Floyd Collins has transformed what could have been a story defined by pain into something powerful. Growing up in a chaotic environment full of toxic masculinity and an abusive father, Floyd was surrounded by false ideas of what it meant to be a man. That led him down a destructive path, resulting in a terrible decision that changed the lives of so many. He spent 27 years in prison, and for over a decade of those years, he was trapped in the same old unhealthy thought patterns, conforming to the harsh realities of life behind bars, his mind like a hamster running on a wheel.
But in 2013, he realized he could no longer straddle the fence between toxic masculinity and healing. So he decided to start healing, and a life-altering shift began within him. He started reflecting more deeply, no longer willing to accept his role in the cycle he’d been part of — unchecked anger, destructive behaviors, and the patterns he grew up with. Floyd made a conscious decision to work hard on himself, digging into the reasons behind his choices and focusing on how he could change the trajectory of his life — and society. Then, after George Floyd’s murder, he transformed even more, waking up to the reality that his life, just like every Black man’s life, truly mattered.
While on this journey of self-reflection, Floyd realized something else: Men in prison had almost no resources to truly understand and change abusive behaviors. Through self-study, personal growth, and a lot of soul-searching, he gained clarity on why he made the choices he did. But it wasn’t enough for him to just change himself — he wanted to share his new understanding with other men. So he started running groups and teaching, helping other men start to shift their thoughts, challenge toxic masculinity, and rethink how they interacted with women.
This drive led Floyd to create AIDA (Awareness Into Domestic Abuse), which began behind prison walls and has since grown into the full-fledged 501(c)(3) organization it is today. He saw domestic abuse as an epidemic that isn’t talked about enough among men, but he knew change was possible if men had the right support and guidance. AIDA is all about empathy, compassion, and helping men — whether inside or outside of prison — rebuild their lives and relationships in healthy ways.
Now out of prison, Floyd’s focus is on leaving behind a legacy that’s not about the mistakes of his past but about the positive impact he’s having on others. His passion for change has made AIDA an increasingly recognized organization across the country. He’s committed to helping men break the silence around their roles in domestic abuse and showing that transformation is always possible if you're willing to do the work.
Floyd Collins’ journey is all about turning pain into purpose. His story is one of redemption, self-empowerment, transformation — and showing other people that no matter where you’ve been, you can absolutely change where you're going.
Written by Anitra Lahiri
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