Authenticity Creates Victory

Authenticity creates success

In our latest podcast episode of The Power Producers Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Marques Ogden, a former NFL player turned entrepreneur and inspirational speaker. Marques’s journey is nothing short of remarkable, transitioning from a professional athlete to a successful business owner and motivational figure. Throughout our conversation, we discussed his experiences, challenges, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way.

Transition from NFL to Entrepreneur

 

Initially Marques Ogden’s journey began in the NFL, where he played for almost six years, learning the importance of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. After his football career, he ventured into the construction industry, building a massive eight-figure business in site work and earthwork. However, despite his initial success, he faced significant challenges that ultimately led to the downfall of his company. 

“I lost that company because I was a jackass and my ego got in the way,” Marques candidly shared. This pivotal moment in his life taught him the importance of humility and the dangers of letting ego overshadow judgment.

Overcoming Adversity

Marques’s story is one of resilience and determination. After losing his business, he found himself with only $400 to his name, nearly homeless. However, with the support of the NFL Trust and his unwavering resolve, Marques managed to rebuild his life. He took on various jobs, including working as a custodian, and eventually found his calling as a motivational speaker.

“The Gene Upshaw Trust paid my bills for four months. I then became a custodian after I got fired from two jobs in the same week. That was my rock bottom moment,” Marques recounted. His journey from the bottom to becoming a successful speaker for over 60 Fortune 500 companies is a testament to his resilience.

The Role of Ego and Humility

Authenticity success

Moreover, ego played a significant role in Marques’s early career challenges. He explained how his exaggerated, glorified opinions led to poor decisions and strained relationships. “I constantly always lied about how much I knew about construction and what I thought I knew,” he admitted.

Marques developed an acronym for ego: exaggerated glorified opinions. He emphasized the need for confidence in one’s abilities while warning against the pitfalls of arrogance. “Being confident is awesome. Being arrogant and egotistical and cocky, it will catch up with you,” he stated

Authenticity Creates Victory

Marques’s motto, “Authenticity Creates Victory,” encapsulates his approach to life and success. Authenticity, he believes, is indeed key to achieving true victory. His podcast, “Get Authentic with Marques Ogden,” launched in June 2022, focuses on helping others understand the power of being genuine.

“Having an ego stems from truly not believing you are good enough,” Marques shared. Secondly, by embracing authenticity and facing his fears, he has been able to inspire others to do the same.

Building and Maintaining Relationships

Basically, relationships have been a cornerstone of Marques’s success. He credits much of his growth to the authentic connections he has built over the years. “I’m all about relationships,” he said. From sending footballs to Ryan Hanley’s sons to forming strong bonds with industry leaders, Marques’s approach to networking is rooted in genuine care and mutual respect.

Furthermore, Marques’s advice for building relationships is simple: “Build authentic relationships with people based on respect, trust, and admiration, and let everything else take its course.”

Work-Life Balance and Self-Care

Balancing work and personal life is a priority for Marques. He practices self-care through gym workouts, morning runs, and spending quality time with his daughter. Furthermore, “When I work, I work. When I’m with my daughter, I’m with my daughter,” he explained.

Additionally, Marques also emphasized the importance of being intentional with time. “If you’re trying to do something and you’re not fully charged, you’re going to put out something subpar anyway,” he noted. This intentionality extends to his daily routine, ensuring he maintains a healthy balance.

The Power of Reflection and Visualization

Authenticity creates success

In addition reflection and visualization are integral to Marques’s success strategy. He believes in the power of looking back at past experiences to guide future actions. “What did you do in the game? What did you do when you had a great pass set when you got beat?” Marques said, drawing parallels to his football days.

Similarly, by reflecting on what worked and what didn’t, Marques visualizes a better future. He shared his own experience of visualizing buying a new home and achieving that goal six months ahead of schedule. “I visualized what I wanted but I reflected back to what worked,” he explained.

Insights on Leadership and Coaching

Leadership and coaching are at the core of Marques’s work. He regularly engages with his coach and mentors to stay grounded and focused. “I talk with my coach once a week on how I’m doing, what’s going on, where I’m at,” he said.

Then, Marques highlighted the importance of discipline and teamwork, values instilled in him from his sports days. “Discipline is the bridge between where you are and where you want to be,” he quoted. These principles guide his coaching sessions and inspire those he mentors.

Podcasting and Media Ventures

Marques’s podcast, “Get Authentic with Marques Ogden,” aims to inspire listeners to embrace their true selves. “Our podcast is about people who just want to help,” he explained. By sharing authentic stories from various individuals, Marques hopes to empower others to realize their potential.

The podcast has gained significant traction, ranking in the top half percent of the most popular podcasts worldwide. Moreover, Marques attributes this success to his commitment to authenticity and providing valuable content to his audience.

Future Aspirations and Goals

Authenticity creates success

Looking ahead, Marques is excited about continuing to inspire and impact others. Furthermore, he is focused on expanding his speaking engagements and reaching new audiences. “Without Mick Hunt, I don’t meet Ryan. Without Ryan, I don’t meet Drake. Without Drake, I don’t meet you,” Marques reflected on the importance of connections.

Marques’s vision for the future involves building more authentic relationships and helping others achieve their goals. Additionally, he is dedicated to sharing his story and empowering individuals to overcome their own challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marques Ogden’s journey from the NFL to becoming an inspirational speaker and entrepreneur is a powerful testament to resilience, authenticity, and the importance of relationships. His insights on overcoming adversity, maintaining humility, and building a balanced life offer valuable lessons for anyone striving for success.

As Marques continues to inspire others through his podcast and speaking engagements, his message of authenticity and victory resonates with audiences worldwide. Ultimately, by embracing these principles, we can all work towards living more fulfilled and impactful lives.

Call to Action

To stay connected with Marques Ogden and learn more about his work, visit his website, follow him on LinkedIn, and check out his podcast, “Get Authentic with Marques Ogden.” For speaking engagements and other inquiries, you can reach out to Marques directly at [email protected].

Let’s embrace authenticity and strive for victory in our own lives. Meanwhile, listen to the full podcast episode for more insights and inspiration from Marques Ogden.

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