The Transition to Legendary: How Garnett Rogers Sr. Turned Pain Into Purpose
Welcome to this episode of Rise Urban Nation hosted by Taryell Simmons, featuring author and motivational speaker Garnett Rogers Sr. In this powerful conversation, the guest shares his profound journey from street life and incarceration to building a purpose-driven publishing empire. Readers and listeners will discover how faith, discipline, and creative vision can transform adversity into a legacy of empowerment.
Garnett describes the life-changing impact of hearing Les Brown's motivational messages for the first time.
Recalling childhood trauma when peers mocked his poetry, prompting him to shelve his gift for decades.
The pivotal solitary confinement prayer where Garnett dedicated his life to divine service.
Overcoming internal self-doubt and the identity thief that delayed his book promotion for years.
The exclusive live performance of his original spoken-word poem, I'm About to Die.
From Survival to Purpose: Transitioning from street survival and legal troubles to living intentionally through faith and creative gifts.
Unlocking Artistic Gifts: Reclaiming childhood passions for poetry and storytelling after years of suppression and doubt.
Business of Spoken Word: Establishing Hustle Hard Publishing and creating multiple revenue streams around creative content.
Millionaire Success Habits: Implementing fifteen practical daily disciplines including early rising, expense tracking, and lifelong learning.
Community-Centered Wealth: Replacing individualistic thinking with collective empowerment and giving back to uplift others.
Never treat your core God-given talent as a disposable side hustle; commit fully to developing it as a viable enterprise.
Build unshakeable daily habits such as early morning spiritual study, physical fitness, and strict financial tracking.
Eliminate negative influences and surround yourself exclusively with high-quality, growth-oriented individuals.
Use personal testimony and lived adversity as tools to heal, inspire, and elevate your community.
Garnett Rogers Sr. is an author, spoken-word artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Hustle by Faith and Hustle Hard Publishing. Known as Influence the Masses, he is dedicated to transforming lives through motivational literature, creative media, and keynote speaking. Audiences can follow his journey on YouTube at Influence the Masses and on social channels at influence_the_poet.
Taryell Simmons: Welcome back to another episode of Rise Urban Nation. I am your host, Taryell Simmons. Today's guest is someone who truly embodies transformation and testimony. What happens when a man goes from hustling for survival to hustling for purpose? When the gift of poetry becomes a tool for divine impact, today we have none other than Garnett Rogers Sr., also known as God's greatest poet, author of Transition, founder of Hustle by Faith, and president of Hustle Hard Publishing. Garnett's story is powerful, raw, and filled with redemptive purpose. Welcome, my brother.
Garnett Rogers Sr.: Appreciate it. Thank you for having me.
Taryell Simmons: Let us start by going back to the beginning. Can you tell us about your early life and what your world looked like before this transition began?
Garnett Rogers Sr.: I did not know who I was. It started out in Sacramento and Antioch. A brother sent me motivational speaking by Les Brown. I had never heard motivational speaking before. I listened to it and my mind was blown. I felt courage, confidence, and leadership running through me. No one in the hood ever told me I could be there, but Les Brown did. I walked differently, dressed differently, and treated my family differently. I became a hungry wolf climbing the hill.
Taryell Simmons: When did you first discover your love for poetry?
Garnett Rogers Sr.: My love for poetry started in elementary school. I used to draw Thundercats and Transformers and write poems next to them. One day, the homies saw it and made fun of me. I hid it in the closet and started a rap group called The Go-Getters. We traveled to Philadelphia and Atlanta, but came back broke. That is when poetry returned in my late twenties.
Taryell Simmons: How did growing up in your community shape your identity?
Garnett Rogers Sr.: God told me long ago I was going to be a curse breaker. I grew up in the CV Circle projects in Sacramento around poverty and drugs. I was like a son-husband helping my mother. Later, I got caught stealing cars and faced seven years in prison. In a single cell, I prayed to God and made a plea bargain that if He got me out, I would serve Him for the rest of my life. The judge gave me time served and probation. When I got out, I left the street life behind to follow Christ and walk in purpose.
Taryell Simmons: What internal battles did you face during this journey?
Garnett Rogers Sr.: After finishing my book in 2019, doubt crept in. An identity thief told me I was not an author and had no marketing budget. I drifted into outside sales and other ventures before realizing my true calling. I came back full force to my gift.
Taryell Simmons: How did Transition come to life from vision to publication?
Garnett Rogers Sr.: People told me poetry was just a hobby. I decided to make it a real business and founded Hustle Hard Publishing to remove the middleman. We are now working on a comic book called Poet Justice, audiobooks, and merchandise. You must create multiple streams of income from your gift.
Garnett Rogers Sr.: Here are daily principles for success: read daily, wake up early between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM, exercise three to four days a week, track your expenses, invest your money, associate only with quality people, avoid time wasters, set clear goals, create multiple income streams, practice gratitude daily, be a continuous learner, take calculated risks, maintain discipline, automate your finances, and give back to lift up your community.
Garnett Rogers Sr.: As we parlay in the upper room, we break bread with the bread of hosts, and we toast with the blood of Yeshua. I tell my disciples I am about to die. Peter looks at me from the right. Mama, do not cry. I am about to die, but this is not goodbye. I was given thirty-nine lashes, but I still must go. You pierced my forehead with this thorn wreath, but I still must go. I carry my own cross. Mama, do not cry, I am about to die, but this is not goodbye.
Taryell Simmons: Thank you for sharing that exclusive piece. Where can listeners connect with you?
Garnett Rogers Sr.: You can find me on YouTube at Influence the Masses and on social media at influence_the_poet. Hustle Hard Publishing will be live soon with books, courses, and speaking engagements.
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