Meet Marcus ‘Big Herc’ Timmons, armed robber turned upright mentor..
“I committed a bank robbery, broad daylight, with guns and ski masks.”
Herc was eventually caught and locked up for nine years, and the experience changed his life forever — and for the better.
During his time in jail Herc found purpose, eventually recreating himself into the man he is today.
In this interview, Herc talks about his growth and shares his take on a few issues that are relevant for all of us: parents, teachers, human beings.
To reach Big Herc and his work, visit www.BigHerc916.com.
TO HEAR OTHER EPISODES OF THE MONTESSORI EDUCATION PODCAST, VISIT HERE.
TO GET NEW EPISODES AS THEY’RE RELEASED, SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO ANY PODCAST PLAYER:
Marcus ‘Big Herc’ Timmons, full bio
Marcus Timmons aka Big Herc916 is well spoken and articulate. You would never know that he lived the hard knock life of crime.
His mother was only fourteen when he was born and he never knew his real father. He grew up feeling like an outsider to his own family, but still managed to excel in school getting straight A's. Even before he started working out he was very much into BMXing and skateboarding, which kept him busy along with playing basketball.
At fifteen years of age he started hustling on the block to put food on the table and buy clothes for school. Watching his Mom struggle to take care of three kids following a divorce was too much to bear and he felt that he had to earn his keep. Marcus took up weight training to get his fight game up for the local knuckleheads and dreamed of one day making it big out the hood. Living a double life, he tried to keep the streets on the streets and be a loving son at home but fast money soon led to juvenile lockup and he was now in the system.
It would take over ten years and multiple incarcerations for Big Herc to realize he had the power to create his own reality and break this cycle of negativity. Life hit rock bottom when he was sentenced to 120 months in Federal custody. During those nine years he did not receive any visits from family or friends and it really made him put his life into perspective. This time was a true test of his ability to stay mentally sound and not become institutionalized.
Upon release, Big Herc had three hundred dollars in his pocket and no place to live, but was he was determined to make something of himself. His thoughts became his reality and success followed. He has since done some acting, produced a workout video, written several books, worked to mentor youth's and gotten involved in public speaking. His YouTube channel’s Fresh Out and Big Herc916 have garnered over 300 million views since 2013 and he has become one of YouTube’s biggest influencers. His accomplishments have been attributed to his ability to overcome adversity and through his life experiences he shares with others how they too can create their own reality.