From Gang Life to PhD: Overcoming Street Life Through Education with Dr. Markus Smith

Breakfast of Choices

Welcome to another episode of “Breakfast of Choices”. Today, I sit down with my long time friend, Dr. Markus Smith, a remarkable individual with an incredible journey from adversity to success. Dr. Markus, born in Japan and moving to Oklahoma as a child, shares his experiences growing up in a rough neighborhood on the east side of Oklahoma City. His childhood was marked by gang violence, racial tensions, and financial struggles, which shaped his early years and influenced his life's trajectory.
In our conversation, Dr. Markus vividly recounts his early life, describing how his parents struggled to make ends meet and how gang members became like a second family to him. Despite the harsh environment, he found a sense of belonging on the east side of town, even amidst the violence and poverty. He opens up about his battles with running the streets, addictions, becoming a father at 20, and the impact of his daughter moving to Colorado due to his immature behavior.
Dr. Markus' story takes a significant turn when he decides to change his life, realizing the need for a better future for his daughter. With the support of his mother and mentor, Dr. Markus pursued higher education, completed his first master's degree, and started his teaching career at UCO. His dedication and focus were further fueled by his passion for martial arts, which kept him motivated and disciplined. His journey from street life to academia highlights the true power of mentorship and education.
Dr. Markus and I share our perspectives on personal growth and living authentically throughout our discussion. We emphasize the importance of mindset shifts, and allowing the universe to guide us towards happiness and success. His resilience and dedication to making a positive impact are a testament to the potential for transformation, and I am honored to share his story with you all.
Dr. Markus Smith - Best Selling Author-Book:
Journey Through The Hoods

From Rock Bottom to Rock Solid.
We all have them...every single day, we wake up, we have the chance to make new choices.
We have the power to make our own daily, "Breakfast of Choices"
Resources and ways to connect:

Facebook: Jo Summers
Instagram: @Summersjol
Facebook Support: Chance For Change Women’s circle
National suicide prevention and crisis, hotline number 988
National domestic violence hotline:
800–799–7233
National hotline for substance abuse, and addiction:
844–289–0879
National mental health hotline:
866–903–3787
National child health and child abuse hotline:
800–422–4454
CoDa.org
12. Step recovery program for codependency.

Luvut

1. From Gang Life to PhD: Overcoming Street Life Through Education with Dr. Markus Smith (00:00:00)

2. From Rock Bottom to Rock Solid (00:00:07)

3. From Street Life to Academic Success (00:14:17)

4. Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth (00:19:09)

5. Career Transition From Law to Teaching (00:32:47)

6. From Rock Bottom to Success (00:41:43)