Today we’d like to introduce you to Mohamet Mbaye.
Hi Mohamet, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small Village in the Gambia called Mbayen. I had a very humble upbringing and was mostly raised by grandmother. I migrated to the U.S when I was 15 years old in 2010 and lived in Bronx, New York. I was met with so much culture shock! Here’s a small village boy who finally landed in the big apple, the language was different, the culture and most of all people’s mannerisms. I quickly realized that life would be completely different from that point on because of how people interacted with me. I started getting picked on by my classmates for being “Too dark” and speaking with an African accent. This impacted me way more than I could’ve imagined at the time because I started becoming very insecure and suddenly disliked what I saw every time I looked in the mirror. This went on for some years until my junior year of high school when I started doing my inner self-work. I started working out more consistently and fell in love with myself all over again. I began to feel much more comfortable with myself and most importantly my skin complexion. I realized from that moment that I wanted to live the rest of my life as a positive representation for people who look like me.
I went to college a completely different person, I became unapologetic about my distinct African features and started modeling in shows at my college Buffalo state and other surrounding schools. After college, I knew that I did not want to go into corporate America because I felt that I had a way bigger calling than just chasing money. So I spent about two years working as a personal trainer and a model. It was very rough at the beginning, but I just knew what my goal was all along and would not let anything talk me out of it or discourage me from seeing it through. Finally, during the pandemic, my friends and I formed a collective called Delasape and decided that we wanted to move to LA and the rest has been history. I’ve since worked with many prominent brands featured on billboards, TV placements and etc.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road was not smooth at all. I am the first of my family to graduate college, with that there’s a lot of expectations placed on to me. I am also the firstborn with two siblings. It’s up to me the set the standard and there’s been many times I felt like I failed because things got a bit financially challenging at most points in my journey. I’ve always been a go-getter, but I couldn’t help at some point wondering what if I chose a different route. I am the happiest when I am on set and it’s not because of me wanting to stroke my ego, but because I know every picture is an opportunity to reach someone who looks like me who is struggling with self-love and that’s what keeps me going every day. Representation matters!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As of now, I do a multitude of things. I am a full-time Model, Fitness coach and Content Creator. I also own a holistic supplement brand called Recharged By Nature. I am mostly known for being fashionable and a stylist as well as being in top physical shape all year around. Hence the name (Swaggymo) hahaha.
What I am most proud of is how far I have made it. I am a living testament to many that it’s not about where you are from. It’s about what you are doing now and where you are headed.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to be Vulnerable and transparent. I am an open book to everyone whom I come in contact with. I am not afraid to share my shortcomings! I battled with mental health for a while and I often times make videos about it on my page sharing how to effectively handle it. Black men like myself don’t talk about mental health. We just let it bottle up, When I needed help the most I seek for it because I thought that was a sign of weakness. I think most people want to portray their life in a curated way, I am just who I am, I will share the good, the bad and the ugly because I don’t want to showcase a lifestyle that is inaccurate with my current day-to-day. If am willing to share my wins, I need to just as willing to share my losses as well.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I can’t say that I looked for a mentor, my mentor found me. I met one of the best Human beings on the planet. (Baba Jagne) I met him less than a year ago and he’s had one of the greatest impacts of my life. He makes me feel like the world is in the palm of my hand and I can manipulate it any way see fit. By the way, he’s from the same country as me and speaks my language. My blowing! ohh and he’s the best designer I’ve seen, his pieces are out of this world. (Jagne.co)
Pricing:
- My hollistic company sells sea moss
- 32 oz jar is 55
- 16 oz jar 30
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaggy_mo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@realswaggymo260
Image Credits
@MonhandMathurin (Picture with goat) @Shaunandru. (Picture with colorful jacket) @sammyoguejiofor (Picture with red pants) @sammyoguejiofor (Picture sitting)
