October AOTM Winner
Martez House
- @officialmhouse -
- @officialwealthbrand -
- @wealth.records -
1) Q: Give us an introduction about yourself?
A: Martez House from Crestview, Florida. I moved out west to Hollywood, CA about two years ago. Now I’m living in beautiful Marina Del Rey right on the water about a mile from Venice Beach. I’ve met some really cool people out here to help with growing my brand. Blake, you’ve helped me so much with that as well.
2) Q: Where are you from?
A: Crestview, Florida
3) Q: Where do you live now?
A: Marina Del Rey, CA
4) Q: How did you get to where you are today?
A: Honestly, to get to where I am today I had to go through a lot of negative experiences, and overcome some extremely hard times. I was constantly learning something new from each of these difficult experiences though. Starting from when I was a kid it has always been this way since my mother passed when I was 3. When I was 17 I was told that I had 30 days to live from a mass growing around my heart, and fluid in both of my lungs. Being told I had 30 days to live at age 17, and that I had a heart of a 65 year old was the turning point in my life. The year right after that I lost my grandfather to cancer, and he was the one who actually raised me. Life throws limitless curveballs, but I have always stayed strong by telling myself I could handle it. The saying “It doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” couldn’t be more true. Whenever you actually learn something first hand from the hard times in your life it will propel you forward at a level that is immeasurable. You always will get out what you put in. I’ve always believed that hard times can be overcome with a positive attitude, and that alone has taken me farther than anything else.
5) Q: Is there anything notable that happened while growing up that shaped you into the person you are today?
A: Growing up poor during hard times with my grandparents raising me on a fixed income in section 8 housing wasn’t easy. I moved out west initially after going through a freak accident I had while playing college football. I tore the ligament off the bone in my foot which left me completely crippled for two years. I sold everything I had when I got out of college, and all I had was a jeep after that point. I filled it up with everything I had, and I had saved up abut $1200.00. At the time I was back in North Florida, and I told myself I was getting the heck out of there no matter what. I didn’t care if I didn’t know anyone, or that I was crippled. I told myself I was going out west to manifest by getting a surgery, fixing my body up, and figuring it all out somehow. It was either I do it or I die in the process. It sounds serious, but I was at a point in my life where this was my only option to break free. The things surrounding me at the time were not helping me progress, and the opportunities I had were not abundant enough. I was limited, and I knew that where I was didn’t align with my destiny. There comes a point in your life where you realize you just have to jump off the porch & go… otherwise, you’re screwed. Eventually, you can just feel the time ticking.
6) Q: If you could live anywhere in the world for free, where wold you choose?
A: I want be in a place that never has winter. I don’t ever want to wear a shirt. I lost a lot of weight; 115 lbs to be exact. I don’t want want to wear a shirt anymore, and I just want to run on the beach everyday. Somewhere I can eat fruits & vegetables all day while just relaxing. Probably somewhere in the Caribbean if I had to pick just one. The most beautiful place I’ve seen up to this point would have to be Positano, Italy. That was the most breathtaking situation I’ve ever seen. It was more than a place. Some of the best food I have ever eaten was there.
7) Q: What are your talents?
A: I’m pretty artistic. Most people don’t know that I’m pretty into music. I’m trying to find better engineers & producers, so that I can make music sound the way I envision it. Growing up my mother was heavily into music, and she was always playing some of the best music from the top artists. I was just always really inspired by that alone. My mom was the best. It’s that mom-love you just can’t explain. You could look for that type of love in a million girls, and still never find it. I also really like visual arts, and creating something from nothing. For example, at our other house we had this $15-million mansion with a spacious basement. I had to re-create a scene to show people what it looked like out here when I was homeless initially. I really love being a creative director, and embracing that role. I’m really coordinated. In regards to my physical ability, I can gain 20lbs & lose 20lbs in a week. I’ve lost 22lbs in 3 days before. I can do some pretty extreme things with my body. I’m definitely an extreme athlete. I run 8-10 miles a day with a plate, six screws, and permanent arthritis in my left foot. I honestly feel like I’m a mental & physical freak of nature. I can put myself through almost anything. It’s almost like a superpower being able to withstand whatever life throws at me.
8) Q: Are you naturally talented, or did you acquire your skills?
A: I’ve always had insane physical strength. Situations I have experienced in my life have definitely built my mental fortitude though. For example, when I was about 285lbs I could four-press 600lbs, and squat 695lbs. I was one of the strongest athletes on my college football team, and it was a kinda freaky to watch. I cant believe I used to push that much weight back then. My physical fitness has always been a natural ability that I fine tune by consistently training.
9) Q: How do you develop your skillset & improve your talents?
A: I mean what it really takes is visualizing an actual lifestyle first. Then creating an accumulation of habits & rituals that are carried out on a consistent basis. They have to make sense personally, and promote the belief system you represent in your life. Once you find that recipe you have to practice it consistently. Finding people that share these same beliefs allow you to build with others who have a common foundation. Always build immediately, strategically, and consistently. Being truly aware of your surroundings, practicing best habits, and always educating yourself. Don’t always take other peoples words, and make sure to try things for yourself before inherently believing others. That’s when you can actually test the validity of something in real life. Be about it. Be a doer.
10) Q: How do you leverage your talents in your professional career?
A: Well right now I run around on camera all day for my brand, Official Wealth Brand. It’s a full on plant-based lifestyle brand. Most people think that making cool content is effortless, but you have to be comfortable in front of the camera. You have to know angles, and how to move around so you don’t look like a complete idiot. I have a lot of respect for anyone in the industry brave enough to be on camera. It’s not easy being on camera doing things. It’s definitely something you need to practice at. Anyways, turning things you love into an actual talent that can be used in your professional career is key. That’s how you can actually find fulfillment in your life. You can wake up everyday feeling like you’re not actually working because you love what you’re doing that much.
11) Q: What are some opportunities you have gained because of your talents?
A: I was in this TV show called All-American which is this cool Netflix show. That was one of the first opportunities I got as soon as I got to LA. The people I have been able to meet have been incredible. I have met people like Odell Beckham Jr. & Dan Bilzerian. These are just a few people in the entertainment realm. I met some really cool artists as well. I talked to this guy Vory on the phone, and he was a really cool guy. A guy that I live with now is actually a big time real estate developer. His name is Danny Hollywood Homes, and he is worth over $100million. He is the real deal & knows pretty much everyone. He has housed Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Ne-Yo, Ricegum, Banks, Nelk Boys, Jason Derulo, you + me etc. We lived in those houses together man. That’s where I first met you, and you convinced me to move in. The opportunities generated by taking leaps of faith & risking bets on ourselves really put us in the best situations. Your network is your net-worth, and that is the absolute truth. That’s what you learn when you start going to new places, and creating a life for yourself.
12) Q: What do you do for work in the industries you are experienced in?
A: I work in the health + wellness industry. I do personal training for people, and I do consultations. I own a plant-based lifestyle brand. We are educating the world on the best holistic methods to use for maintaining your health. We want to get people away form pharmaceuticals, and show them the natural way to get healthy. We want to show people how to create the greatest versions of themselves. This is achieved by becoming aware of what nutrients to intake, and what exercises to implement. This is my passion, and it saved my life. It has reversed tons of health issues I have had, and hereditary things that people would claim to be irreversible. It has changed my belief system completely, and it has changed my overall outlook on life as we know it. I have made it a mission to spread this message, and to save as many lives as I can.
13) Q: Who, or what, inspired you to get started in your career?
A: Honestly, it took me looking in the mirror at about 300lbs, and literally being completely disgusted with who I was. At that point I didn’t feel sorry for myself, and I actually was crippled at the time. I had every excuse in the world to be overweight. I physically couldn’t walk anymore though, and I couldn’t take that. I thought to myself that this is absolutely not me, and I don’t look good. I knew I had to fix it, and I entered into a non-negotiable agreement with myself to get healthy. I didn’t want to look bad anymore when I looked in the mirror. I wanted to see a body I could praise, and be truly grateful for. The first person to ever really inspire me was a guy named Ralph Smart, and he was actually a skater that used to skate Venice beach area constantly. He is a huge Youtuber spreading the plant-based holistic lifestyle, and he is also a well-known spiritual coach. I used to watch his videos every single day right before I moved to LA, and sure enough now I live about one mile from where he made those videos I would watch. He taught me the power of manifesting, and creating a reality for yourself mentally before you are physically there. He taught me that time didn’t actually exist, and that we have the power achieve a future we desire. That belief system opened up an entire realm of possibilities, and truly changed my life forever. That guy specifically was the reason why I am plant-based today.
14) Q: Do you enjoy the work you do?
A: I love my life, and I love what I am able to do everyday. I would like to get it a little bit more fun-tuned, and systematic so that things become automated. This way I could do more personal outreach, and meet some more people that align with my beliefs. I want to spread my story to people, and find a solid tema that has the same value as me. People who believe in the plant-based lifestyle, and also want to contribute to ending poverty around the world. I am still searching for that super team of philanthropic people. I need a justice league ASAP.
15) Q: What is something you have failed at, and did you learn from it?
A: I failed at a lot of things. One thing in particular was during my senior year of college football. MY goal was to play, and actually participate in all of the games. I failed though because I got hurt one week before the first game. It took me out for the entire senior season of my college football career. Going through that experience taught me how to truly take care of myself. That experience alone was how I was able to shape the entire business I have now. It was without a doubt the catalyst to start everything, and pushed me to a point of no return. Being completely crippled for 2 years will teach you to appreciate every step you take. I was at a 10/10 pain level for 2 years straight. The ligament ripped off my bone completely, and caused all of my toes to separate. It happens in 1 in every 100,000 people, and it happened to me simply by coming out of my four-point stance in an awkward way. Your failures are your biggest successes, and when that is your mentality you will achieve greatness.
16) Q: What are some of the biggest myths about the work you do?
A: Most people think that I actually take steroids. This is a laughable statement because I am actually scared of stuff like that believe it or not. I am obsessed with good organ health, so I would never do something like that. Some people think that I’m an extremely wealthy guy who just chills in jets all day, and has no problems at all whatsoever. They really think I have nothing to do all day other than workout which couldn’t be farther from the truth. For me to be in the situation I am in there is virtually no days off. A majority of the time when I default on getting back to people it is due to the fact that I am not mentally able to focus on any more things at that moment in time. It becomes focus focus focus on one goal which ultimately consumes my life, and this brand is my entire life right now. A lot of the myths basically come back to that my life is all gravy. The fact is that it takes a lot of work to create something like this, and you really need to grind to attain it. Nothing is going to get handed to you, and if you keep an entitled mentality like that then you are done for. You have to be willing to put forth some effort to get the results you want. A relentless work ethic is how you will get there.
17) Q: What are some recommendations for others just getting started in your field of work?
A: Find what makes you different, and embrace that the most. Figure out what you stand for, and express that belief system as clearly as possible. Start reaching out to others who share the same values, and start to build a team around that common belief. You don’t have to work with people that aren’t on the same frequency as you. It’s the law of attraction people.
18) Q: What is your opinion on social media?
A: Social media as a whole is a gigantic marketing platform, but it has changed the entire world forever. It changed the way people view their own lives, and it makes people compare more than ever before. It has generated a lot of depression for people, and it has caused others to feel like they are less than they truly are because of this. On the other hand it has gotten countless people motivated to take action, and inspired to pursue their dreams. It has provided an unlimited source of streamlined education that virtually anyone with internet connection has access to. It is not comparable to anything we have ever witnessed before this time. In one year you can learn the same amount of knowledge that 12 years of formal education provides. That is what we have now from things like Youtube. You can educate yourself fin any field just because of the power of social media.
19) Q: What are you most passionate about?
A: I am most passionate about health, and keeping the people around me healthy. I love the people in my life, so I am always thinking about how to keep them alive as long as possible. I am obsessed with health.
20) Q: Whats your top 3 goals in life?
A: 1) Convert a billion people to a plant-based lifestyle. 2) Be remembered as a branding genius, and to create a legacy where I can positively shape the world. I want to make people obsessed with becoming healthy & happy instead of becoming superficial & miserable. I want to be one of the pioneers in creating a mentally & physically healthy worldwide belief system. 3) I want to make billions so that I can end homelessness. I hate the feeling of not having something, and not being able to take care of essential needs. I don’t want to see anyone go hungry, and I don’t want to see people diseased. Mental & physical diseases that could easily avoided & eliminated. I think everyone should be cared for. I would love to be able to shape this world by giving back, and implementing change by acting on my beliefs.
21) Q: What motivates you daily to achieve your goals?
A: Everything I have been through up to this point. Also, seeing others that are in need motivates me because I want to be able to care for them. Constantly meeting new people that I can help learn from the information I posses is what keeps me consistently pushing to implement worldwide change. I want to teach the ways to unlock a healthy lifestyle, and in turn help people achieve happiness in their lives. When you’re doing the wrong thing you will just know, so receiving positive daily affirmations keeps me ambitious to conquer my goals.
22) Q: Best advice for increasing productivity?
A: If you want to increase productivity in your life then you need to get more done. Put things in your body that won’t drain your energy. In order to perform at your maximum ability then you must be fueling your body with the proper nutrients. Mental clarity attributes directly to your physical health. Mental health is all in your diet baby. You will feel different, you wont have to sleep as much, and you will be able to focus a lot longer. That right there will increase your productivity big time. Mentally & physical clarity in a nutshell.
23) Q: What is your philosophy on life?
A: We can do anything that we set our mind to. We can learn anything that we practice consistently. There are no limits, and there is no time. There are moments, and you have the ability to manifest moments. I believe that we are all electrical currents essentially. For example, when someone dies there is a tool used to resuscitate them, and it electrocutes them to be brought back to life. That lets us know that we are very much like electricity. When something negative happens then guess what? It is an opportunity to put out something positive. Now you have electricity. Something great. Take me for example, someone growing up with a difficult hand dealt. All these crazy obstacles had to happen so that I could reach these positive moments. Living in a millionaire mansion being surrounded by some of the best friends & family I could ever wish for. My philosophy on life is that you must have negative and positive together to create a life that you are fulfilled with. To create power you must have both the negative & positive. You have zero power without that.
24) Q: If you could be any animal, what would you choose?
A: I would love to be a lion for a little bit man. To posses the strength, agility, and precision which that creature has would be incredible. That would be a feeling right there. I’m scared of those things. A vegan lion probably would not be able to survive eating plants out there all day though.
25) Q: What is a fun fact that no one knows about you? // or // a fun story that you would like to share?
A: I actually grew up in the absolute country hunting & fishing every day. I’m talking about backwoods in the city. Little own. Walmart was our mall. That was the coolest thing going on where I was from. Everybody said y’all, and they were the most country people you could ever imagine. I wore camo lot, and it was very different than anything you’d imagine after seeing me now. I look pretty presentable fashion wise now, and you definitely wouldn’t be able to tell that is where I’m from.