When the Lights Go Out: How Marques Ogden Turned Rock Bottom Into a New Beginning
Success can disappear faster than it arrives.
On this episode of The CJ Moneyway Sh$w, CJ sits down with former NFL offensive lineman Marques Ogden, who went from protecting quarterbacks on Sundays to losing a multi-million-dollar construction business — and eventually working as a janitor for $8.25 an hour.
But this isn’t a story about collapse.
It’s a story about reconstruction.
The Fall: When Success Turns on You
After his time in the NFL, Ogden built a thriving construction company. Revenue was strong. Growth was aggressive. On the outside, everything looked unstoppable.
On the inside, cracks were forming.
Poor financial management. Misplaced trust. Leadership gaps. Overexpansion.
When the collapse came, it was swift and unforgiving. Contracts dried up. Debt piled up. Pride shattered.
Eventually, Ogden found himself mopping floors for $8.25 an hour.
From multi-million-dollar deals… to minimum wage.
For many, that would’ve been the end.
For him, it became the beginning.
The Shift: Ownership Over Excuses
During our conversation, one theme stood out:
No blame. No victim narrative.
Marques took full ownership of his mistakes.
That mindset shift — from “Why did this happen to me?” to “What can I learn from this?” — became the turning point.
He rebuilt his life the same way foundations are built in construction:
Measured. Intentional. Layered.
Storytelling as Salvation
Today, Marques Ogden is a 5X bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Get Authentic with Marques Ogden, ranked among the top 0.05% of podcasts globally.
But the transformation didn’t happen overnight.
It happened when he decided to tell the truth.
Not the polished version.
Not the highlight reel.
The real story.
And that authenticity became his power.
He now teaches leaders and entrepreneurs how vulnerability, accountability, and resilience are not weaknesses — they are leverage.
The Blueprint for a Comeback
In this episode, we break down:
🔥 What actually led to the collapse of his business
🔥 The mental reset that lifted him off the floor — literally
🔥 Why ego is expensive and humility is profitable
🔥 How to turn setbacks into legacy-building opportunities
Failure, as Marques explains, is not final.
It’s feedback.
And feedback — when processed correctly — builds stronger foundations.
The Moneyway Perspective
In the Moneyway world, we don’t romanticize the fall.
We respect the rebuild.
Marques Ogden’s journey reflects a powerful truth:
You can lose money.
You can lose status.
You can lose momentum.
But if you don’t lose your will to rebuild — you haven’t lost everything.
Comebacks aren’t loud.
They’re disciplined.
Brick by brick.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Listen: https://pod.link/1707761906
🎥 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@themoneywayshow8493
If this story moved you, share it with someone who needs the reminder:
Rock bottom isn’t your identity.
It’s your construction site.
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Whether you’re crafting your first documentary, writing your next book, or launching a media project with global potential, we help you share stories that inspire and endure.
Your vision. Our expertise. Story by story — brick by brick.
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