Marcus Timmons Motivational Speaker from Van Nuys, CA

I am a well-spoken and articulate motivational speaker that's been able to turn life's shortcomings into a path of success. For the last 5 years I've been an influencer on YouTube inspiring thousand of followers to pursue their dreams and have hope. I was recently featured in the Washington Post for my show Fresh Out on YouTube, which deals with ex-felons and positive change. People from all walk of life tune in to watch our show and put their own life into perspective. I also run another YouTube channel called Big Herc916, which is all about positivity and motivation. I speak about real life issues that my fans email me about and shed light on topics people seek knowledge about. I have spoken at USC, Oxnard College and several high schools around Southern California sharing my story. Reflecting on my past, I realized that if I had a positive father figure or male role model, I would have made very different choices in life. I was a straight A student with a creative mind, but had a step-dad that crushed any dreams or aspirations. My Mom provided love and nurturing, but the male support I yearned for lead to me turning to the streets. When my Mom divorced I lead a double life as the loving son at home while running the streets at night. The street life eventually caught up to me and It would take over ten years and multiply incarcerations for me to realize I was creating my own reality. Life hit rock bottom when I was sentenced to 120 months in Federal prison and had to deal with stabbings and riots on a regular. During those nine years I did not receive any visits from family or friends and it made me put my life into perspective. This time was a true test of my ability to stay mentally sound and not become institutionalized. Since my release in 2008 I've done some acting, written several books, started a clothing line, become involved in public speaking and life coaching. My accomplishments have been attributed to my ability to overcome adversity and through my life experiences I share with others how they too can create their own reality. I offer teens, young adults and adults an opportunity to hear first hand how little choices in life can lead to big decisions that can essentially change the outcome of your life. Association, education, personal self worth, and goals are tools I combine with street savy to put into perspective the challenges many are faced with in life. If I can touch or change one person's life, it makes it all worthwhile because I never had that mentor I could relate to until I went to prison. It was during my darkest hours in life when I found the light and now I feel it is my calling to share this light with other seeking to create positive change in their lives..