We become what we think about ourselves and we behave according to what we think about ourselves and others.

Where do belief systems come from and how does our childhood experiences shape these beliefs? Tony uses his story to help students understand this unconscious process every human goes through and how they can reinforce self-empowering belief systems and overcome self-limiting belief systems.

Every human lives a truly unique experience, no two people are alike. There are many factors that can create traumas in a person’s life including but not limited to: Household/parents, community/environment, institutions & events.

Every person has feelings and thoughts attached to each experience that are the root of our response behaviors.

Tony teaches students the important of community built around vulnerability, communication and empathy. The goal is to help young people understand that everyone in the audience has their own unique experiences and some of those experiences are creating very challenging emotions that often times the person needs support from.

The more effective we are at creating an open and honest community to support others the less substances and self harm behaviors we will see people use to try and cope.

Anxiety, depression, grief, sadness, guilt, shame, thoughts of suicide or self harm are all mental health. In years past we attributed mental health only to those who were suffering from high mental health acuity which entailed personality disorders or disorders like schizophrenia. This misunderstanding lead to enormous amounts of stigma around speaking up about our thoughts and feelings to others.

Tony’s presentation helps students understand their own mental health & emotions as well as the importance of learning what their emotions are in response to events that happen in their life.

Tony uses his personal mental health struggle experience with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation & isolation as the foundation for his messaging. Nothing Tony speaks about was learned by reading a book, he shares first hand experiences and how therapy, communication, positive coping skills, community and purpose have helped him manage what previously haunted him.

What do we do when we are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, guilt, shame, rejection, frustrated, anger, confusion? The heaviest of emotions every human will feel at some point need to be handled appropriately if a person wants to heal and feel relief.

Tony uses two core behaviors every student can understand which help guide them into using positive coping skills.

1. Safe Spaces- A place where a person can talk about anything they are feeling or experiencing and not feel shame, guilt or judgement from the person they are speaking to.

   2. A community of like minded people- A connection to a group of people who are focused on growing and empowering each other is imperative to balanced mental wellness.

During his presentation Tony mentions therapy, journaling, grounding techniques, sports and friends who are all apart of his support system of positive coping skills

Why do people use substances? How is our mental health directly connected to substance use and what are the mechanics behind it all? Tony answers all of these questions while sharing his inspirational message.

Tony talks about the harsh reality of the friends he grew up with who have lost their lives due to overdoses. He brilliantly covers the topic of fentanyl and the risks that come with modern substance use, especially with youth. He is able to navigate these extremely difficult topics without students ever feeling like, “This is just another don’t do drugs speech.”

It can happen to anyone, no one is exempt from the possibility of becoming addicted to a substance. Tony speaks about the truths regarding addiction not being a choice. He describes how every person that begins to use substances is using them in response to their mental health and how a substance becomes attractive with the perceived positive (euphoric) effect it can make a person feel while unders the influence. The real risk of addiction is not determined by a person’s will but by a specific function of the brain that no person has control over and does not get to choose whether or not that function exists within them.

More importantly, Tony shares that addiction and adversity can be beaten, the steps its taken for him to beat his addiction and life of self-limiting outcomes as well as the way he chooses to live life today as a sober person.

From Prison To the Olympics! How did Tony do it and what were the steps he’s taken to become successful with his mental health management, personal life and career? This story is the only one of its kind in the entire world!! It’s one of the reasons he is the best substance use prevention speaker in the world, his story is truly life changing and transformational for millions of people.

How do you set goals? What do realistic goals look like and what do goals that stretch a person into the best version of themselves look like.?

How does your environment and friends affect your goals and what does it take to be a person who can achieve the goals they set for themselves?

Tony drives home this process by helping students understand that the first step of him getting to the olympics from starting in a prison cell was the act of brushing his teeth. A small obtainable goal needed to be achieved first before graduating to the next task in his process.

For Tony this is the purpose of life. We have gifts and experiences unique to us and those two are not to be hoarded. They are to be shared with the community and world around which helps bring us together as one.

A real community is built on vulnerability, intimacy, support, compassion, empathy and care. Tony encourages students to see their peers as people who need us to show up for ourselves as leaders so we can effectively support those who in that moment may need to be supported.