← Living Your Legacy
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- [00:00]
Darren Prince
Highly functioning until I wasn't. And then it just became this crazy facade and this double life. And, you know, I just know there's so many people out there that we know of and don't know of that are suffering from mental health and substance abuse. And it's just so beautiful that you guys have this platform now around the world.
- [00:20]
Rudy
Darren Prince is a best selling author, public speaker and entrepreneur. He is the president and CEO of Prince Marketing Group, a sports and entertainment marketing agency that specializes in marketing and celebrity bookings.
- [00:31]
Darren Prince
I like because it's got nothing to do with my business career, man. I want to go up there. And people are remembering Darren Prince as the guy that went deep into health and came out on the other side and sprinkled hope and recovery across the world for people suffering with mental health and substance abuse issues. That's legacy.
- [00:55]
Host
Hello and welcome back to another episode of legacy makers podcast today. Joining me is a dear friend, a business partner, Mr. Darren Prince. Welcome to the show.
- [01:04]
Darren Prince
Thanks for having me, man.
- [01:05]
Host
So Darren is a very famous celebrity agent, worked with many of the biggest names in the history books of, of legends and, you know, so very fitting for legacy makers. But on top of that, he's working on his legacy, something that the world needs, something that's massively impactful. In your episode, you break down, you know, your battles and struggles with addiction and now how you've taken that, you know, and over the last 16 years turn that pain and struggles into helping other people fight through it. And you've got a top book, bestselling book charities you speak around the world. So super excited for you to be here and have an episode and welcome to legacy Makers.
- [01:44]
Darren Prince
Thanks, I appreciate it.
- [01:47]
Host
So let's dive in. Do you mind just kind of giving everyone a teaser of what in the episode they'll kind of hear and your.
- [01:55]
Darren Prince
Backstory into all this, more or less being a fly on the wall to my life journey of working with some of the most elite icons in the world while I was more or less struggling deep in hell in addiction, I found my purpose, man, on this journey. I found my mission on this journey. And who would have thought working with all those icons would have given me a platform to meet people like you, get in business with people like you and get on a show like this.
- [02:29]
Host
And it's, you know, obviously I know your story and in the episode you break it down, it's, you know, fascinating how you've now turned this into something so great, but also what you went through back then when you were, you know, Hanging out with some of the big famous celebrities at NFN and just battling this alongside it behind the scenes, Right?
- [02:48]
Darren Prince
Yeah. I mean, highly functioning until I wasn't. And then it just became this crazy facade and this double life. And, you know, I just know there's so many people out there that we know of and don't know of that are suffering from mental health and substance abuse. And that's why it's just so beautiful that you guys have this platform now around the world, you know.
- [03:09]
Host
Yeah. I think more people need this more than ever because, you know, I think America as a country is more vocal on struggling with addiction and difficulties. But I know for sure, England, it's like the old working class, you know, Victorian worker in the factory, just getting on with it. You know, if you talk about your weaknesses in England, addictions, problems, it's seen as a bad thing. Right. And I think time is slowly changing that. But I do think America is more on the forefront of accepting that and trying to support people. But, you know, how are you finding it in the last 16 years, you know, helping people? Do you find that differences between countries and cultures?
- [03:50]
Darren Prince
There's definitely difference between countries and cultures because like you just said in England, you know, I know there's a stigma.
- [03:57]
Host
Yeah.
- [03:57]
Darren Prince
In certain countries still. And I think it's work hard, play hard, you know, and don't complain.
- [04:03]
Host
Yeah.
- [04:03]
Darren Prince
Pretty much mindset and, you know, if you're really crushing it, it's that white collar mindset. Oh, no, no, no. I got it going on. You know, I don't have any problems. But the reality is we all do. Everybody struggles with something, you know what I'm saying? You could be struggling on the bottom of life and it could be on top of the mountaintop. And, you know, the reality is, unless you're working on here and in here and in here, you're not going to get the quality of life that you deserve. That genuine happiness to create that legacy that we're all trying to leave.
- [04:34]
Host
Well, and you were right. You were talking about being on the top. You were on the top, hanging out with, I'm sure the celebrities you mentioned.
- [04:41]
Darren Prince
Smoking, Joe Frazier, Pamela Anderson and her prime, you know, Dennis Rodman, prime years with the Chicago Bulls. And, you know, everybody said, man, this guy's got it all. Everybody I grew up with, look at this life. You know, the woman wanted to be a part of it, the guys wanted to be a part of it. Everybody wanted to be rubbing elbows with me. But, you know, I was hiding a deep, dark secret.
- [05:02]
Host
And was it a pure. You know, you'd go home that day and that whole like week and month, it would just be ongoing.
- [05:09]
Darren Prince
I wouldn't say it was 24 7. It was all throughout the day, though. Like, I would, I would need my opiates to get my morning started and then somewhat in the afternoon, always before an. But, you know, I'd be sitting here with you and I, you know, I tell these stories all the time. It's just crazy to me, man, because 16 and a half years ago, I would have been in the bathroom first snorting some oxycontin, some Percocets, getting ready to sit down with you for this interview. I don't need to be that guy anymore. I put God first in my life. And I work on those traumas every day because we all still have them. And I try to just go deep into meditation. And I think service to others is everything. I think when you put that hand out and you be kind to, it could even be a stranger. I think things just manifest, vibrate better in our life because the world is just so focused on success and money and that's good and great, don't get me wrong, but it really doesn't give you that full, genuine happiness. Peace in your heart, peace in your soul.
- [06:07]
Host
And it's interesting, the whole addiction side, you see it a lot in celebrities, right? The best of the best. But then there's this thing that comes up. Do you think it's. Why in the celebrity world, do you think it's such a common thing?
- [06:20]
Darren Prince
Well, I know why. I've worked with enough when they were young too, from athletes, entertainers, musicians, celebrities, actors, actresses. A lot of them had a break when they were young. And there is sense of entitlement. You're treated differently at such a young age. You're given everything at such a young age. You know, even your own family at some point, you know, has to depend on you financially. So now you're like the top dog at such a young age. And who's going to dare try to question your behavior when you're almost like the lifeline to them, having the life that they have and you're not given a handbook nobody ever gives.
- [07:00]
Host
Yeah, that's very true.
- [07:02]
Darren Prince
Like they didn't give me and my teens, my mom and my dad, and be like, hey, you're going to start a multimillion dollar baseball card company and sell it for $1 million at 19 and then become one of the most respected agents in. Of sports and entertainment and yeah, go, go figure it out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you can figure it out. There was just the way I was treated, and I believed it. I needed all that because I had that hole in my soul at such a young age. So I wanted to be the man. And as, you know, look at you. You had remarkable, you know, career when you were young, too. And it feels good, but you have to separate the two to understand is it giving you that dopamine hit of feeling good, or is it a validation that, okay, I earned this, but I'm not going to treat anybody differently because the way I'm being treated and pay it forward the same way, those opportunities come up to you, that's a whole person. That's a person that's secure, that knows who they are, that could look themselves in the mirror and know that walking outside or going to a big event. And I mean, I see you when you're at events right now, people flocking all over for photos, selfies in airports, all that. But you're a humble guy. You're at a place in your life where, you know, you know, you aren't. You know, you work eight days a week, 24, seven, and you want to pay forward to people. And at a young age, it's such a beautiful thing to see because you don't see it that much anymore.
- [08:31]
Host
Yeah. Yeah, that's. That's interesting. And then, you know, talking more now about your episode. Right. And obviously sharing this story and the whole point of Legacy Makers and people sharing their story and journey is the. The flipping it on the head and the education side. Right. So what are some things people are going to learn from your episode? Right. Whether they're struggling with addiction or your success in business. What are some takeaways?
- [08:55]
Darren Prince
Well, if you could start with business, I think a lot of my clients would say I'm probably one of the greatest relationship builders the world's ever seen. And I don't take credit for that. That's my late father, Martin Prince. And my mother recently passed a couple months ago. And they instilled that in me from a very young age. When I started working with athletes and celebrities, they were so big on wanting to meet everybody. Not in a fan way, not. Oh, they just wanted, you know, me to be different. My dad didn't always want me focusing on the money.
- [09:29]
Host
Yeah.
- [09:30]
Darren Prince
Find out about their family, find out their hobbies, their dislikes, you know, things that get them to take their favorite food. So when, you know, magic's in town or Robin or Hulk Hogan, you know, make sure their favorite food even if it's not near the hotel, order it, have it walk to the room. Those little things allow me to develop deeper personal relationships to the point where now, no matter who it is, it could be flair, it could be Charlie Sheen, Carmen Electra and Theron Columb Coleman. This morning, she's filming a movie. Like everything with every one of them is, you know, how's life? How's this, how's that? You know, every call ends with I love you. You know, when you see them, it's hugs, it's gratitude. And you know, that type of run for 30 years is very rare.
- [10:14]
Host
Yeah, yeah.
- [10:14]
Darren Prince
In my position.
- [10:15]
Host
Yeah.
- [10:16]
Darren Prince
And it's something that I love and I cherish. I love just having that personal side versus being that agent, that entrepreneur. Just about the money, the money, the money. Now, if anybody's watching this and they're in sales, consumer goods, whatever it might be, focus on the friendship and the relationship first.
- [10:38]
Host
I think that's good.
- [10:38]
Darren Prince
That's what keeps that evolving. It's not six months a year. It's years and years and years where you're coming to family functions, you're coming to each other's birthday parties. That's what gets you the business. And I think it's because your mindset's in the right, right integral place when you live that way, instead of being that kind of double personality where you're always about that money. But then with a certain type group, you can be about friendship. I think you got to be that way in business all the time.
- [11:11]
Host
Yeah.
- [11:11]
Darren Prince
No matter who it is. And then as far as the recovery part, I mean, that to me is what legacy makers mean. Because I don't care and feel extremely uncomfortable to this day when I'm introduced on some of the biggest podcasts or interviews. And that word super agent comes up and makes me cringe. I used to thrive on that word. So much so when I wrote about it in my book Aiming High, that I have a tattoo right here, that's how broken, insecure, that's how big the hole was in my soul when I was 24 years old and signed Magic Johnson as my first client. I have a super agent tattoo on my leg. Thank God it's there and it's not here because I would have done anything to get it removed. And my father humbled me back then because when I first signed them, they knew. I post page 6, which was TMZ before TMZ did a little write up blurb on it. I didn't do a single marketing deal in my life. And it said, super agent Darren Prince signs Magic Johnson as his first client to Prince Marketing Group. I grabbed a hundred copies, I drove home, I gave it to my friends. My dad comes home and sees it, he goes, you need to come over. I come by, sits me down in his office. He goes, come here. He goes, sit down. It's all serious. He goes, sit. Let me tell you something. They're not calling you super because you're anybody special. Magic Johnson's the special one. Remember that? And I was like, oh, okay. I didn't understand it then, but I understand it now. My legacy, truly, when I'm gone. And I've said this on big stages, I've said it on interviews, I said it on Jay Shetty, I've said it on, you know, big TV appearances. My legacy's got nothing to do with my business career, man. I want to go up there 35, 40 years from now, hopefully, because I'll be 55 in a couple months and I feel better than ever. And people are remembering. Darren Prince is the guy that went deep into health and came out on the other side and sprinkled hope and recovery across the world for people suffering with mental health and substance abuse issues. That's legacy.
- [13:16]
Host
I love it. And that's why I rang you up for the, for the show. So just finally, you know, finally on the show part, I don't want to give too much away, but you know, talking about legacy, what does a legacy mean to you?
- [13:30]
Darren Prince
I think legacy is the impact and the imprint you leave behind. Because at the end of the day, nothing I've done at Print Marketing Group is ever going to leave a legacy. Sure, there's big brands and corporations that have had experiences spending time with Hulk, Larry Bird, Magic, you know, so many of the icons over the years. But that's still not legacy. Those are moments, those are thrilling memories and moments for individuals where when those people pass on, there might be photos with Ali or whoever, or Smoke and Joe. But to me, legacy is almost. I have the God given gift because I put God first in my life to break generational curses. I like it. And people's thought process, their DNA, their brain patterns and their heart and soul to not repeat the patterns of depression, of God forbid, suicide, drug addiction, alcoholism. And that is something I hold so near and dear to me in my heart. And I think because of it, I get so many of these GMCs. I call them God managed coincidences. These God shots that happened to me at such like crazy times in my life. I mean, you know, you're super close with Knutson. I mean that was a perfect story where I, we don't need new clients, but this is the girl I was blowing with their talent as an American Idol finalist. And I heard her speak and there was an energy, there was a God given energy at such a young age that was just like, you know, it's just something special about her as a person and the talent was obvious and you know, I just love that to, to just have that type of connection with her and different people because you got to put God first in her life, man. I tell people, if you don't believe in God, believe in a higher power. Believe in something that has kept you here during dark times or that near fatal car accident that could have happened. You know, there has to be something that we all believe in. And I'm buzzing sometimes in life because I've never been in such a good, great place. But it's also because I do the work, Rudy. Sure. I do a lot of work and I'm on the road and my morning started with a workout. Started my hydrogen water. I'm on the 10x program. You know, Gary Barack has set me up. I've got grounding patches. I did that for an hour this morning. My feet and this. I took a cold shower for 15 minutes. And these are things that we do every day. I have the ice bath back at my place in LA and it's virtual 12 step meetings. It's being of service to others. It's checking in on my aiming high foundation. You know, we scholarship people all over the world. It's my own 501c3 that need mental health, substance abuse treatment, all that put together. It's a routine about nine or 10 things, you know, lingerie. With my meditations and you know, Rekha and all these deep sort of meditation that I can get myself into with breath work. Every day it's nine or ten things. I, I don't miss it. I can't miss it because if I do eight out of 10, I'm off. And I feel like I'm not serving the great God that's kept me here and I'm not serving people around me the way that I'm meant to.
- [16:44]
Host
I like it. So just as a wrap, someone's listening. They're inspired. They can go watch your episode. Where else can they find you and learn more about you?
- [16:52]
Darren Prince
AgentDP princemarketinggroup.com thanks to your incredible team, we have an amazing website so make sure you check out Rudy's team for that and I'm still on Facebook, the old school Facebook. I'm on LinkedIn, I have a TikTok page, but I don't even know how to work it. But for the most part, you can Google Darren Prince and quite a bit of stuff comes up. And thankfully, it's quite a bit of good stuff, because I've been on the right path in my life for a long time.
- [17:18]
Host
Of course. Well, there you go, everyone. Another episode in the wrap. Go check out Darren's episode. It's truly inspiring and serves a great purpose for people out there maybe struggling just like you were that need to hear it. So that's a wrap. Check out the episode. See you soon. Take care.