54. Hacking T-Mobile at 15, Leaving Tech for Music, and Learning the 3 Cardinal Rules of Business — Anweezy

Mental Health

Anwar Ahmed, known as Anweezy, shares his profound mental health struggles during his college years, highlighting moments of despair and the pivotal role of supportive friends. He recounts a critical moment when a friend intervened during a suicidal crisis, using tough love to pull him back from the brink. This intervention was life-saving, as Anwar reflects, "Five, six hours before that, I wanted to commit suicide. Five, six hours, bro. I literally." 1 2. This experience underscores the importance of relationships and the impact they can have during times of crisis.

   

Corporate Life

Anwar's dissatisfaction with corporate life became evident during his brief stint at Fidelity Investments. Despite the financial security, he felt unfulfilled and decided to leave after just three months, much to his mother's dismay. "I was not happy. Everyone around me was not as bright as you would think," he recalls, emphasizing his need for a more meaningful path 3. This decision marked the beginning of his journey towards self-employment and creative pursuits.

   

Artistic Struggles

Navigating the artistic world presented Anwar with numerous challenges, particularly in managing relationships and overcoming industry obstacles. He reflects on his time managing an artist and the difficulties that arose, noting, "I lost thousands of dollars thinking of a dream through his vision, and I lost a lot of time" 4. These experiences taught him valuable lessons about the complexities of the music industry and the importance of aligning with the right people.

   

Self-Identity

Anwar's journey to self-identity and acceptance was marked by embracing his differences and realizing his potential. Despite being one of the few black students in his classes, he saw this as an advantage, stating, "You have to see me. You're not gonna not see me" 5. This empowered mindset, instilled by his mother, drove him to pursue his passions and redefine his identity beyond societal expectations 6.