Soulstrong: The Beaten Path

Born on March 15, 1984, Newport News, Virginia, native Marcus Stone would hear the words “you will be sleeping on a park bench when you grow up, and I hope I’m around to see it” from his tenth-grade algebra teacher. Although that may not be the best way to motivate a child, troubled by anger and self-doubt, Marcus displayed the type of behavior that was consistent with such remarks. From that point, Marcus's life is that of a survivor against all odds but more importantly a man that found his way through pain, triumph, and faith. After being arrested in 2005 for attempted robbery among other chargers, surviving a suicide attempt in 2003, to later being diagnosed with manic depression, feeling the pressure of becoming a new father and having no idea where to start, Marcus overcame these odds with the help of mentors, family, and most importantly, God’s provision and mercy. He now serves his community as a mentor, speaker, and advocate to at risk youth, mental health counselor, and owner of media production company SoulStrong Productions. It is Marcus's mission to be an inspiration to young men across the nation that share the same struggles he did and encourage them to search for the greatness within them.