Meet Maurice Ager

We recently connected with Maurice Ager and have shared our conversation below.

Maurice, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience stems deeply from my spiritual roots and upbringing. From a young age, I developed a unique level of mental awareness that set me apart from my peers. Martial arts, particularly the teachings of Bruce Lee, captivated me as a child. His ability to harness energy was truly inspiring.

Growing up in the tough neighborhoods of Detroit’s west side was a daily challenge. I faced adversity at school, from confrontations with drug addicts to physical altercations with older individuals. I also endured traumatic experiences, including attempted sexual assault by someone I trusted. Despite these challenges, I was able to break free from harmful situations, even at a young age.

These experiences helped me develop the resilience necessary to overcome the obstacles I encountered on my journey to the NBA. Through years of shadow work, mental cultivation, prayer, healing, and releasing past traumas, I cultivated the inner strength to navigate any challenge that came my way.

I believe these harsh conditions played a crucial role in shaping my path. I learned early on that my purpose was to be a light for those in darkness. My authentic experiences have equipped me to genuinely help others in need.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Previously, I was a former NBA basketball player. I was a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Mavericks in 2006, drafted at 28. Prior to that, I was a high school All-American, a college basketball All-American, and played on the USA under-19 team. I was regarded as one of the best shooting guards from Michigan State University, leading the team to the Final Four in 2005 and leading the team in scoring for two consecutive years. I also led the Big Ten in scoring.

Throughout my basketball career, my main passion and love was music. While in college, I was always sneaking away to make beats, from using my friends’ laps for beat-making to finding ways into computer halls to hone my skills. Growing up in a musical household, creating music was and always will be my number one passion.

At times, my college coach would blame my bad performances on my late nights spent making beats and recording. I turned my Cherry Lane apartment into a studio, naming it “Room Records.” I not only made beats for myself but also started to build a reputation in the music world around campus. I began recording college students and local drug dealers in the Lansing area for $20 per hour and charging $100 per beat.

I had to keep this side hustle low-key because it was illegal for me as a college athlete to have a job. If the NCAA had found out, I could have lost my scholarship. However, considering that my $1,500 Pell Grant didn’t last the entire semester, and I needed cash on top of that, I took the risk. This showed me how much love I truly had for music, even as I write this.

I started to see basketball as a springboard for what I really wanted to pursue, even at the age of 18. I’ve always had an independent entrepreneurial spirit. When I was 12, I used to sell snacks to kids after school, cut hair for $5 in the MSU dorms, and even sold hot dogs and chips for an extra $5 after haircuts. I was cutting the hair of football players and even our coaches for a few bucks.

Basketball helped me sell music, and music helped me become cooler in the eyes of the students. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my time as a hooper at MSU, but I was also able to hone in on my music production, which gave me a solid balance.

With that being said, I just created my very first music museum, named “Moe Ager Music House.” It’s a showcase of the majority of my solo and some of my collaborative projects from 2013 until now, including beats for collaborations. I set this up to showcase my musical evolution over the years, and it’s really fulfilling to see my work all in one place. I treat each and every project as a divine work of art, from the pricing to the art covers. The music is authentic, storytelling, humorous, and uplifting. I infused each project with the 432 Hz love frequency, which is the original Hz from what we have now at 440 Hz, which can cause imbalances in our central nervous system.

I’m also a five-time author and am currently promoting my books. One book is called “Me Myself & I: How I Used My Imagination to Make it to the NBA,” a self-help book for young ball players that incorporates spirituality, mentalism, and how they can truly elevate their game both on and off the court. My other book is called “Baby Fat Water Story Manual,” detailing my journey with gut health after almost dying in 2022 due to stomach complications. I created a health drink called “Baby Fat Water,” which I experimented with different natural herbs for myself and then thought to provide the service for others. So, I began making these drinks for friends while living in Vietnam. After writing the book with details on how people can make this for themselves, I also wrote a children’s book called “School Shoes” with nine stories to encourage children throughout the school of life. I created another book called “American Basketball in Vietnam” and lastly a coloring book called “Kampung Dog from the Slums to the Beach.”

Oh, and how could I forget? Recently, an article came out on Hot 97 with “Jay-z” about our conversation concerning my passion for music and my play with the Nets at the time https://www.hot97.com/news/jay-zs-guidance-to-maurice-ager-on-prioritizing-basketball/. You should check out the story whenever you can. Here is the link to my music museum and book: https://linktr.ee/ShopandSupportAger

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. The Importance of a Strong Spiritual Foundation

A strong spiritual foundation is essential for me. We must connect with our true, divine nature. Our intuition guides us towards our passions and purpose.

2. The Power of Relentless Hard Work and Focus

Dedication to relentless hard work is crucial in developing our talents. Focus is essential to transform potential into skill.

3. The Value of Self-Knowledge, Mastery, and Patience

Understanding ourselves and our craft is paramount. Patience is another vital trait, as it allows us to persevere through challenges and setbacks.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Seeking Like-Minded Partners for Global Impact

I’m seeking individuals who share my passion for personal and professional growth. I offer services in music production, voice-over work, online coaching, partnerships, sponsorships, and public speaking. As a FIBA-certified basketball ambassador, I’m also dedicated to empowering youth through sports.

Currently based in Asia, I’m actively working online to make a positive impact. I’m looking for individuals who want to join me on this journey of raising awareness and inspiring youth worldwide. Together, we can leverage our skills and travel the world to make a difference.

Since leaving America in 2017 for this global adventure, I’ve been actively involved in these initiatives. A “cool role dog” would be a valuable addition to my team!
HERE IS MY https://web.facebook.com/Swagerknightproductions AS WELL!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Moe Ager

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