I am so proud to share my new podcast series ‘Cellmate To CEO’, which came from an idea I had some time ago.
Navigating the professional world and being a CEO while having a conviction and experience of the Criminal Justice System was a challenge I wasn’t given much preparation for, and running my own companies meant that I was consistently learning on the job.
I wanted to connect with others in my position, with similar experiences and highlight the work they’ve done to lead successful organisations, build businesses, launch ideas and contribute to the evidence that there can be flourishing careers after prison.
I’m beyond grateful for the @afterprisonpod team who believed in the vision, produced the series, found incredible guests and made this a reality for me.
I don’t even have the words for how much this means to me, so please listen, share, support and encourage this first season 🥹
You can now listen to the first episode featuring my bro @zakarriyahkhalil7 and then weekly for the next 3 episodes in the series!
📷: @shobo_photography
In September I started my journey to becoming a qualified Yoga teacher, to gain more understanding of a practice I really enjoy but also to be able to share it with other Black men like me who’ve been through the criminal justice system and need a bit of support reconnecting with themselves and embracing freedom.
I learned so much more about myself than I anticipated and the course helped with my preparation to become a better version of myself in so many ways.
Healing isn’t linear and there isn’t a destination, I’ve embraced developing my knowledge around tools to support emotional regulation, stress management and self-expression - yoga does that for me.
I’m grateful to everyone who’s supported on the journey so far, the next step is inviting you to practice with me and enjoy a 60 minute class on Sunday mornings. Join me if you fancy a bit of intentional breathing, stretching, strengthening and mindful movement🧘🏾
Open to all levels (could be your fist time) and anyone can join - link in bio to book your space 🙏🏿
#yoga #vinyasa #slowflow #yogawithtony
Summer was pure vibes, time to focus and make the rest of the year fruitful!
Shoutout to the moments that made it all worth it ✨🪴
📹 @is.oti & @priscilladinatoko
Been a busy last few weeks so it’s been important to ground myself and calm it all the way down before I meet burnout again.
Being aware of my stress levels, when I’m doing too much or not sleeping enough has been key to managing the demands of fatherhood, showing up fully is important to me but that’s not as possible when I’m stretched.
I wrote about my perspective on presence over perfection and the idea of being there for my family and being present beyond just physically. A big part of being present with them is being present with myself, so meditation, breath work and yoga have been my anchors.
Check out my substack (link in bio) and let me know your thoughts.
What do you do to balance yourself when it feels a little busy and chaotic?
Had a great time at @thesitdownuk the other night with the special guest @paulcbrunson whose journey I’ve been following.
As a new father it’s great to see men in the public eye place family above everything and champion it in ways that inspire. If you know me, you know I love flowers, so it’s only right to give them where they’re due 🫡
Great concept and event @iciethehost 🔥
I wrote some thoughts about fatherhood on my substack, check out the link in my bio for the full stream of thought centred around the idea of presence over perfection.
Learning that trying my best and showing up consistently is more important than trying to get it all right, all the time.
There’s so much advice out there when becoming a parent but not enough of it says ‘there’s no manual, just figure it out’ which is what we’ve had to do 😅 every father’s experience will be different but if you resonate then subscribe/follow as I’ll be sharing more insights on my fatherhood journey.
Join me this Saturday for my next in person yoga class in Brixton!
Focusing on bringing awareness to the mind, spirit and body through mindful movement, breath work and community.
If you’re new to yoga or not too sure what to do, just starting is the first step. So come through and get acquainted with the mat as I guide a 60 minute vinyasa flow for any level you’re at 🧘🏾
Proud husband moment 🥹
This weekend we celebrated 7 years of @kafayatokanlawon debut book ‘This Is Us: Black British Women and Girls’, which is a collection of stories, memories and moments from over 100 Black women & girls.
I remember when we first met and she told me about the book very humbly, but it let me know the level of ideas, creativity, ambition and execution she was coming with.
Fast forward, yesterday she released a discussion on YouTube, speaking with other women in her sector about the impacts of violence against women and girls, the current political climate and more via her platform @feministfocus.co.uk
I’m so proud of the dedication to craft and the determination to bring this project to life! I’d love you to watch the episode, learn from it, discuss it and support the ting (link in @feministfocus.co.uk bio 🫡)
Sometimes a bit of breath work and movement does the trick!
Life can feel so busy at times and between all the things I do, my personal yoga practice can feel neglected. So I’m trying to commit to more time spent with myself and the mat, where I get to see my thoughts and feelings come to the surface and find release in the movement.
Check out the link in my bio for upcoming classes 🧘🏾
#Yoga #wellness #menshealth #yogawithtony #vinyasa
Took my boy to his first festival this weekend, of course we had to touch down at the @jazzrefreshed stage with the fam
@bricklanejazzfestival we go again next year?
I had a great time this weekend at @bricklanejazzfestival and conference representing @jazzrefreshed 🫡
On Friday I moderated the panel ‘Money Talks: Demystifying Funding For Jazz & Arts Projects’ and it was a really insightful conversation for me to be part of.
With my background in fundraising and writing applications, it was great to be able to speak with others about the funding landscape, Do’s and Don’t’s, AI and grant writing, plus a lot more! Funding is a conversation that can go on for days so shout out to the panel who kept it concise and useful
@shannonlatoyah@clara1cullen@skandasabbagh & Elizabeth Sills - thanks for such a good conversation!
Love to @_juliet_kennedy_ for bringing me on board and trusting me to lead such an important panel, hopefully funding feels a bit more tangible and less intimidating for those who were in the room 🙏🏿
After the panel, I got to enjoy some very cool performances from @maddyy.coombs@benji_on_drums@marlonthepannist@joeajkeys@zenaforeva & more but a highlight was seeing so many friends outside in the sun!
Had a great time down at the @ezracollective show, presented by @jazzrefreshed to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their debut project Chapter VII.
It was a great night with surprise guest appearances from @zaramcfarlane@tobiadenaike@nubya_garcia@mosesboydexodus@theon_cross and @shabakahutchings - truly a celebration of the journey all of these musicians have been on over the last 10 years and a great way to celebrate the power of Jazz music and its impact.
I’ve seen Ezra Collective before but there was something different with this show, it was intimate, intentional and inspirational to see!
Keep an eye out for what we’ve got going on over @jazzrefreshed and support by purchasing records and coming to the shows 🫡
