How did Malcolm X overcome the obstacles of his early life and become an influential figure in the civil rights movement?

Before becoming a leader of Pan-Africanism during the Civil Rights movement, Malcolm X engaged in criminal activities as early as age 9. He began stealing food while growing up in Lansing. He was later involved in drug dealing, prostitution, and gambling and spent 6.5 years in in jail.
Upon his release, he began an in-depth study in African American history, particularly slavery. He came to the conclusion that black people have never been free and, in America, have a racially motivated disadvantage. This mentality later influenced his approach to black civil rights. His advocation of African Americans pursuing freedom by "any means necessary," including violence, may have been influenced by his criminal past. For more information on Malcolm X's past, refer to the source below.
https://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-may-not-know-about-malcolm-x