Former Drug Dealer Turned Passionate Proponent for Underprivileged Children Shares his Inspirational Life Story ft. Malik Wade

Summary:

You would think that someone who has spent 14 years in prison has some serious regrets. Right? Wrong!

Our guest for today is mentor, author, and passionate proponent for helping less privileged kids, Malik Wade who firmly believes in owning up for every decision in life, big and small. Malik is the Executive Director of the Scholastic Interest Group mentoring program and author of the acclaimed book, Pressure: From Fugitive to Freedom.

A former drug dealer, Malik fled to Canada, but ultimately the law caught up with him. But instead of ruining this downturn, Malik decided to turn a completely new leaf.

Determined to have a positive impact on society, Malik has started an NGO for helping out kids with dysfunctional backgrounds.

As a mentor, big brother, and father, Malik imparts positive, expansive experiences to children so that they channel their energies in the right directions.

Towards the end of the show, you will learn about Malik’s daily routine, and what he does to keep his mental and physical health intact.

We hope you enjoy this show!

Key Takeaways:

• 00:06 – Who is Malik Wade?
• 01:46 – A state-level basketball player selling drugs?
• 06:28 – Are all drug dealers vicious and violent?
• 07:39 – What did Malik learn about sales and influencing people when he was out on the streets selling drugs?
• 09:57 – With his back to the wall, Malik flees to Canada…
• 11:54 – On the run, in a foreign country while still managing his drug operations…how did Malik survive for seven long years?
• 15:14 – How did Malik remain in a mentally sound state? Did he develop any relationships?
• 16:34 – Making the best of prison life
• 18:47 – When did Malik realize that he had to change the course of his life?
• 20:19 – Starting his non-profit to help out at-risk youth
• 22:12 – Malik shares his incredibly effective and common-sense approach for engaging the young men and women at juvenile hall
• 24:13 – Malik shares the main premise behind his book, Pressure
• 27:06 – Bringing ideas to life – Malik shares the path to being a published author
• 28:39 – Giving children real-life and expansive experiences
• 32:48 – The dramatic impact of mentorship and 1-1 interaction on children with a dysfunctional background
• 34:42 – What inspires Malik every day? And, what are some of his mentorship goals?
• 39:53 – Malik’s reading list….
• 43:50 – Has there ever been a moment in Malik’s life when he didn’t own it?
• 46:36 – Malik’s daily routine, and how he keeps in physical and mental health intact
• 49:18 – What advice would Malik give his sixteen-year-old self?
• 50:03 – What would be Malik’s last meal on earth?
• 50:44 – Malik’s favorite music band
• 51:08 – Connect with Malik!

 

Quotes:

“You deal with it [prison], you know, the best that you can you know, you stand steadfast prayer, meditation, you re-educate yourself, you work out and you try to become a better person”.

“Most of the young folks that I work with, that's their mindset, the overwhelming majority of them, they don't want to be involved in gangs, they don't want to be involved with violence, but the environment sort of completely sucks them in”.

“I'm a big believer in the American dream. I'm a big believer that you can be whoever you want, it doesn't matter. religion, race, creed, color. Yes, we all go through different environments and different challenges. But if someone could focus, and they can be educated, and be, and put in the right environment by you, just imagine how many kids lives you will change throughout the United States”.

“Although being a black man in America, there are historic and systemic things that have made it a lot more challenging. But I'm not the kind of person that wants to say, Hey, I'm victim. You know, life is unfair. To me. That's a coward's way out”.

“There's never been a moment where I tried to shift blame or blame my circumstances or my conditions on another individual. Because ultimately, I've made my own choices like we all do”.

Resources:

Malik Wade Fitness

Scholastic Interest Group

 

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