Meet Forrest Tuff

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Forrest Tuff a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Forrest, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic is rooted in my childhood experiences watching my parents dedicate themselves to growing their business. Witnessing their dedication and perseverance instilled in me the importance of hard work and resilience from a young age. As a child, I was passionate about sports and committed to continuous improvement—participating in organized athletics, working tirelessly to develop my skills, and embracing teamwork.
I earned a split academic and athletic scholarship to Gordon State College, where I was honored to be named team captain and inducted into the Hall of Fame as the all-time leading scorer. My dedication earned me a full-ride athletic scholarship to Western Carolina University to play Division I basketball. Unfortunately, my playing career was cut short due to a career-ending injury to my shooting hand.
Despite this setback, the lessons I learned—collaborating with others, maintaining relentless determination, and never giving up—have carried over into my professional life. These principles continue to drive my work ethic today, helping me overcome challenges and strive for excellence in everything I do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Thank you for the opportunity to share about my work. As the founder and CEO of One Vision Productions, I wear many hats—author, entrepreneur, film producer, master coach, and global speaker. Since establishing the company in 2004, our mission has been to create impactful media and branding that inspire, uplift, and empower audiences worldwide.

What excites me most about what I do is the ability to blend creativity with purpose—whether it’s producing award-winning films, documentaries, podcasts, or stage plays, each project is an opportunity to tell stories that matter. I also take pride in my role as a Master Life Coach and keynote speaker, where I get to motivate individuals and organizations across the globe, sharing lessons on leadership, resilience, and faith.

Our brand is rooted in the belief that everyone has a vision worth pursuing, and through our work, we aim to ignite that vision in others. We’re continually evolving—recently, we launched new initiatives, including expanded media services and upcoming projects that will further amplify positive messages and community impact.

Beyond the creative realm, I am passionate about giving back. Through my Pay It Forward program, I award grants to nonprofits, and I’m honored to have received recognitions like the MLK Community Service Award and the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Overall, I see my work as a vehicle to inspire transformation—both personally and professionally—and I look forward to continuing to serve, lead, and create in meaningful ways.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, I believe there are three qualities that have been particularly impactful in my growth.

First, being an effective listener has been crucial. I’ve learned a great deal from the mistakes and experiences of others, which has fast-tracked my progress. To develop this skill, I recommend truly engaging with those around you—actively listening and seeking to understand different perspectives. Additionally, I’ve committed to reading at least 25 books a year for the past 15 years, which has broadened my knowledge and sharpened my ability to learn from a wide range of sources.

Second, maintaining a mindset of being an ongoing student has been vital. I’ve consistently focused on leadership development and have pursued a new certification every year since 2005. For those starting out, I advise embracing continuous learning—investing in yourself through courses, certifications, and mentorship can significantly accelerate your growth and prepare you for greater opportunities.

Lastly, being financially responsible has played a key role. I’ve always made prudent decisions with my finances, proactively building my personal and business credit, and reinvesting back into my ventures. My advice here is to prioritize financial literacy, create a solid plan for managing your resources, and view reinvestment as a way to fuel long-term growth.

In summary, cultivating active listening, a commitment to lifelong learning, and sound financial habits can set a strong foundation for success. These qualities have served me well, and I encourage anyone early in their journey to focus on developing them intentionally.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents provided me with the foundation of life and instilled core values such as faith, respect for others, and perseverance. Their guidance has profoundly shaped my character and approach to life’s challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.forresttuff.com/
• Other: Business: https://www.onevisprod.com
  Coach: https://www.mentallytuff.org
  Filmpreneur: https://www.filmpreneur.org
  Speaker: https://www.forrestspeaks.com