Darren Prince was always destined for greatness. At only 14 years old, he had earned over $100,000 strategically selling baseball cards. It was clear then that he had an innate understanding of what it meant to be business savvy. This gift served him well when he went on to rep some of the biggest names in the sports and entertainment industry such as Magic Johnson, David Goggins, Charlie Sheen and the late Muhammad Ali.
In today’s episode, Darren reveals his experience being “on top of the world” but also the moment when it all came crashing down. He shares with us his journey battling and overcoming addiction and the epiphany he had that propelled him to change the path he was heading down.
Tune in to hear about the highs and lows of an agent with high-profile clients and hear how service became an integral part of his life’s purpose after recovery.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:50] Jamie introduces Darren Prince.
[05:03] Darren begins talking about his early teen years, low self-esteem, and the beginning of his drug addiction.
[07:46] Darren recounts how he started his first business that earned him over $100k at 14 years-old.
[13:29] Darren describes the lifestyle he had during his 20s and his arrest at 21.
[16:37] Darren speaks about his shift from the card selling business, the story of how he signed Muhammad Ali.
[18:20] Darren explains the legal troubles he went through and how it led to him signing Magic Johnson and starting his agency.
[24:12] Darren describes the golden days of his agency, the continuation of his substance abuse, and his first major overdose.
[29:01] Darren explains the turning point in his addiction journey and the moment of clarity that propelled him to seek help.
[33:50] Darren talks about the mindset he holds to stay “in the solution”.
[37:11] Darren speaks about how none of the hard things he’s been through has been an excuse to relapse.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
[11:59] Darren learns the significance of integrity and reputation at a young age.
[33:56] Darren’s belief that “if there’s not a health crisis, you’ve got luxury problems in life”.
[36:18] Darren stays grounded by getting out of his own head and by being a service to others.
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Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.
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Thank you to Darren Prince for sharing your truth with us today. Follow Darren on Instagram @agent_dp.
Check out more about Darren at: https://officialdarrenprince.com/
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The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali @thenadiaali
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Darren Prince Bio:
Darren Prince, International Best Selling author of his memoir Aiming High, is a prominent sports and celebrity agent and global advocate for addiction/mental health and recovery. Through his agency, Prince Marketing Group, he represents icons Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jerry West, Dominique Wilkins, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Chevy Chase, Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, Carmen Electra, and many others as well as having worked with the late Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali and Evel Knievel. In 2022 PMG started working with Navy Seal Legend and Motivational Guru David Goggins.
Darren / PMG has also worked with Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Rodman, Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones Jr, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Pamela Anderson, Vince Neil, Dee Snider and Keith Urban.
PMG is one of the most respected boutique sports and entertainment agencies in the world with over $750M in deals negotiated in its 25 plus years in the industry. Having paired a celebrity with everything from Super Bowl commercials, product endorsement campaigns, keynotes, licensing and branded social media campaigns companies such as Apple, Oracle, Best Buy, Gillette, Hard Rock Casino and hundreds of others have utilized their expertise to find the perfect celebrity to fit their initiative, product or service.
As a leading authority in this space, Prince’s insights have been featured in WSJ, NYT, USA Today, CNN, Fox and Friends, Chris Cuomo, Tucker Carlson, “On Purpose” podcast with Jay Shetty, Extra TV, Dr. OZ and many other top media outlets. Darren has experienced what life is like in the celebrity world but also seen the dark reality of addiction through his own personal struggle with opiates. With over 15 years of sobriety, it’s now Darren’s mission to help others avoid and break free from addiction and mental health struggles. He had a God awakening on July 2, 2008, and believes in a spiritual higher power and that anyone can turn their bottom into a new beginning.
Prince started his 501(c)3 Aiming High Foundation where 100% of the proceeds provide treatment for those suffering. He has become a highly sought-after speaker on addiction recovery and mental health.
He specializes in helping high functioning addicts and at-risk executives to identify and avoid the pitfalls of addiction and working with teens on self-esteem and self-worth.
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