We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teddy Regis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Teddy, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
As long as I can remember, I have been a strong believer in the power of a positive mindset. If we can see opportunity where some might see failure, this can often propel us toward success. When I was 20, something somewhat pivotal happened during a summer stay on Long Island. I vividly remember reading an article about optimism in a Bible based publication. Back then, I was a prolific journaler. Travel always prompted me to make a daily record of adventures, goings on and cherished memories with loved ones. The article I read encouraged the practice of gratitude journaling. To me, penning three good things that happened each day was an attainable goal. And so, I immediately began implementing this in my routine every single day. This went on for many years. Fast forward to 2020 when I took up an interest in studying neuroplasticity. Researching this topic led to an “aha moment”. Those who are experts on the subject have found that we can basically rewire our brains to have a more automatic positive response to challenges. The key lies in savoring life’s good moments, counting our blessings, and making a practice of gratitude journaling. Over the long term, doing these things blazes a pathway of sorts in our brains where neurons can fire in new ways. If we tend to think negatively, that will be the easy automatic function. But much like a trail blazer with a machete can make new pathways in the forest, we too can harness the power of optimism to change what one ancient text calls ‘our dominant mental attitude.’ Having specific terminology to assign to an existing personal behavior was very impactful for me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m involved in a number of activities and project throughout the year. But we’ll zero in on my writing today. Seven years ago, I began writing professionally for various publications. My assignments generally involved meeting interview subjects in person, recording a conversation, and then gathering source material to produce an article. Later, my role included compiling existing photos to assist editorial boards. But recently, I was honored to receive an invitation to a groundbreaking event in St. Augustine involving a historic site called Fort Mose. Fort Mose was the first all black free settlement in what is now known as the United States. From 1687 to 1763, a number of formerly enslaved Africans enjoyed freedom there. But after Spain ceded all of La Florida to England in 1763, the residents of Fort Mose once again faced enslavement. The fort gradually succumbed to the Florida marsh, and the accompanying legacy of those courageous Africans fell into relative obscurity. So when school children would visit the site and its accompanying museum on field trips, they’d often leave asking, “Where is the fort?” In the near future, this question will no longer be asked thanks to a reconstruction project. So, I am honored to have been on assignment at the corresponding groundbreaking event. Historians, archaeologists, members of the media, and various dignitaries gathered to commemorate the launch of the reconstruction project. It was a thrill to interview these ones. Bit by bit, I am compiling the source material for my editor. I look forward to sharing the article in due course.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would have to isolate love for people, a linguistically wired brain, and listening skills. I am still cultivating the latter as an admittedly gregarious person. My love of meeting and interacting with people lends itself well to interviewing article subjects. While I’ve never considered myself to be much of a math and science person- language, music and the arts in general seem to come more naturally. So, I often try to stay in those artistic lanes whenever possible. They light me up and nourish my heart. As far as being a good listener, I’ve heard it said that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason! The only advice I would give is to tap into those around you. Learn from those with more experience, and be patient with yourself along the way. The refinement and learning process never ends, and that makes the journey quite vibrant.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I am so incredibly grateful for my upbringing. None of us can get through this life unscathed, but as you’ve learned, I am an eternal optimist. My parents grew up in a third world country before moving to New York in their late teens. I have vivid memories of my Brooklyn childhood when I attended college courses with them. As new parents, they really had to hustle at times. Especially when they couldn’t secure a babysitter. I felt like such a cool kid tagging along with them to the courses that would land them their upcoming careers in nursing and case management. To be sure, I also remember spending some of this time eating barbecue chips in the campus arcade and playing video games (this was happening in the early to mid 90s). All this to say, my parents showed me by their actions what it means to build a life through hard work, study and perseverance. They provided me nice homes to grow up in, and often surprised me with gifts at random times throughout the year. I cherish the long summer bike rides my dad and I used to to take to a suburban country club to go swimming. My mother is the most selfless, loving woman I know. She taught me the meaning of compassion and empathy. Now that I myself am around the same age my parents were when I was born, I can’t help but reflect on my life with real gratitude for the foundation they laid for me. They truly paved the way for me to live a beautiful life full of love, travel and adventure. I could never repay them for their great love and affection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evolve-success.com/business-ownership-through-the-lens-of-first-coast-youthpreneurs/
- Instagram: thisancientcity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisancientcity
Image Credits
Closeup with blue collared shirt and sunglasses: @expressive_visionary
