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by Tony Gaskins Jr.

Imagine having changed your life after a very rough past and then one day you get a call to tell your story that you’ve been trying to forget, and tell it to 30 Million people at that. That’s what I had to do! It was my “rite of passage.” I became a man in front of Oprah Winfrey and 30 Million viewers, by telling my story of being an abusive boyfriend in college, which led me to pen my bestseller “What Daddy Should Have Told His Little Girl.” That changed my life and I vowed to never be the same. Oprah was as humble as a little girl, she was quiet and soft spoken, but at the same time very loving and supportive. She had to ask me tough questions because it was necessary for my growth, I understood and I answered them with unflinching
honesty.

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It took me to go through abuse and coming out and gaining an understanding of my mistakes in order to mature into a full grown man. I was lost with the mindset of a thug/pimp while I was dating. My influences from back home and the music I listened to taught me that being a man is controlling a woman like a slave, disrespecting her and treating her like a piece of meat instead of like the wonderful creation she is. Fortunately I learned what true love and a real relationship was before it was too late. I learned its actually the opposite. I learned that the greatest strength is gentleness, and that a real man expresses his feelings with words not with his hands. I learned that everything I had been taught to that point was all wrong. So now that I know, I’ve dedicated my life to teaching because I know there are millions of other young men who think just like I use to think.

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The next day after Oprah I was called by the Tyra Banks Show to be a Guest Expert using my story to teach other young men how to “Man Up”. I never knew the significance of maturity until those two shows happened to my life, now I understand perfectly. Now I stand before you 26 years old as a Bestselling Author, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Consultant, Ghostwriter, Executive Director of my own foundation, and a Producer. I say that not to IMPRESS you, but to IMPRESS UPON you that maturity is a must, and the sooner the better.

When Men become better men, our world becomes a better world. I’m dedicating my life to educating my generation, and anyone who is willing to grow with me. Be sure to keep up with my blogs, as I’ll be discussing some hot and controversial topics. Ladies, although it’s called Man-up I’ll be speaking to you too because we need your help! I
know the truth is hard to accept sometimes, but all I can do is keep it real with you!

-Tony Gaskins Jr.