How This Writer Killed His Former Self (Drugs, Jail and Student Loan) and Totally Transformed His Life
Ayodeji Awosika went from drugs, jail and $70,000 student loan to $1.5M, writing in coffee shops and true wealth.
I‘ve been writing on the internet for more 3.5 years now.
I went from being a nobody to somebody who would interview top writer
, who is living proof that living off writing is not fiction earning $10,000- $70,000 per month.
But it wasn't always like that for both of us.
We had to kill our former selves to become the person we see in the mirror now.
Ayo once looked in the mirror and was a 24-year-old college dropout living in a 10' x 10' dorm room.
The only affordable option.
12-hour shifts in an electronics factory were the norm.
Free time was consumed by substance abuse, vacillating between being incredibly stoned and drunk.
The irony was being the kid with the "potential" who got through school effortlessly because of their "giftedness".
Everyone had visions of him becoming a successful lawyer, engineer or doctor.
Teachers and parents often said:
"If you just applied yourself, you'd be a massive success."
Drugs, jail time and $70,000 in student loan
However, the fear of shattering the "smart kid" image led to avoiding any effort, resulting in unfulfilled potential.
Alongside underachievement, trouble was a constant companion.
Dabbling in numerous drugs, experiencing jail time (albeit briefly), and squandering $70,000 in student loans on an unfinished degree.
The future seemed discarded, leaving no plans, no future, and no hope.
75 books and countless interviews later his life changed
Ayo couldn’t stand to see himself in the mirror.
One day, the turning point came from an unexpected realization:
wishing for change, rationalizing the situation, or replaying past mistakes never worked. Instead, it was essential to confront the current reality head-on.
Accepting the present situation was the first crucial step.
Dramatic actions were needed to instigate change, and this realization led to staying present, learning, and studying various methods to transform life.
Within a year of hitting rock bottom, Ayo read 75 books, watched countless interviews with successful people.
He only allowed positivity, wisdom, and knowledge into his life.
As you can see, they are just books lined up against the wall.
A wall in a room of a duplex that I rented for $250.
A duplex that had rats in the wall.
There was a time when I couldn’t afford to pay my light bill or my internet bill.
I did have a laptop, though.
I took that laptop to the local library, read books for free, and practiced my writing.
After writing all day, I’d come home and sit in the dark.
Serendipity brought writing in Ayo’s life
During this period, an opportunity arose to write articles for a friend's new website.
Writing the first post marked the beginning of Ayo’s relentless pursuit of this new passion.
The combination of preparation and seizing opportunities led to the current success on Medium (116K followers) and beyond - rooted in acceptance and hard work.
Funny enough, those were some of the best times in my life. I sometimes long for the days when I was broke and spent the whole day reading and writing.
It doesn’t take material items to change the way you see yourself.
All it takes is having a goal and working toward it consistently.
Once you do that, you are successful.
Ayo’s Message to Others
For anyone who wants to change their life - be it in their career, attitude or circumstances - you should start where you are, be grounded in reality and face it honestly.
That is the essence of Ayo's guidance.
Ayo has killed his former self and is now living a healthy and good life as a writer.
You can meet him in coffee shops where he likes to write and drink his matcha.
He loves going to the park with his daughter or swimming in the pool.
He has built up several offers (courses, coaching, memberships) that could help him achieve true wealth, which means he spends time with his family, travels and takes breaks whenever he wants.
He goes to the gym.
photo credit: Ayo
You put yourself in a position to be successful by writing your ass off
As Ayo says:
You have to work hard to succeed, but luck is a big factor in your success.
Without a few chance moments in my life, my writing income would be zero. You can’t predict or guarantee luck, but you can increase your odds by putting yourself in a position to be successful.
You put yourself in a position to be successful by writing your ass off.
Invitation to join our LIVE session on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 1:00pm EST
My "Online Writing Club" and the writing group you get access to as a paid subscriber, "Online Writing School" with Substack School, is not about typical success formulas, growth hacks, success tips or feel-good one-liners.
It's written and hosted by a part-time writer with a corporate job, family and also side hustling hubby. I'm not a full-time creator.
I love writing and reading lots of books!
I love introducing you to inspiring voices and personalities, asking them questions, learning and sparking your creativity and inspiration.
Personal transformation is a challenge.
It’s always easier if someone has gone before you.
If someone tells you:
You can do it too! Here’s what I learned…
Everything my guests and I share is based on personal experience.
Take what resonates and leave what doesn't
The goal isn't to dictate how to live your life as a writer, monetize your words, write and promote your book, but to assist in discovering how you want to live your writer life.
Join our LIVE session (replay will be available) as part of the “Hype and Brand Yourself Summer Months”:
How to Start Freelancing as a Writer and Make $10k p.m.
Wednesday, June 19
1:00 pm EST
Register by becoming a paid subscriber.
Every paid susbcriber can add the event to the calendar via our writing group “Online Writing School”, will get the Zoom link in their inbox, find it in the Chat
See you in our live session!
Looking forward to seeing you shine and thrive,💫
P.S. Liked it? Could you do me (a part-time solo business mom) a favor and like and re-stack my post? This way you help a solo writing business owner to be seen and heard and help more people like you. Thanks so much! 💓🔁
P.P.S. If you haven’t watched our interview yet, here it is!
I respect Ayo and his work ethic. He was one of the first writing bigwigs I followed and learned from when I started my journey on Medium. Great to read the details of his story here!
Such an amazing story!