We’re looking forward to introducing you to T.J. Hope. Check out our conversation below.
Hi T.J., thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of the inner work I’ve been doing on myself. I have been building my inner strength in all areas. In the past, I lived in survival mode, struggled with anxiety, and often found it hard to calm my nervous system. I struggled with feeling safe, trusting others, and feeling worthy of success.
I began observing my own thoughts and feelings to understand why I felt that way. I discovered that I had a plethora of childhood wounds that were never healed. We grow up, start relationships and careers, and have children of our own. However, the unhealed child within remains. I had wounds left from sexual abuse, a scarcity mindset, and negative thoughts of what I deserved in life. Sitting with my own fears and emotions was admittedly the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I journaled a lot. I remembered the pain and experiences I’d pushed aside for years. I forgave everyone who had ever hurt me. I let it all go. I developed new habits. Now, I meditate daily and power walk or exercise every morning. I started to show up for myself first. I say affirmations to myself in the mirror. I see my own worth. I feel deserving of my success.
Once my inner world and beliefs changed, my outer world began to reflect it. This was the game changer. I started to truly see and love myself unconditionally. I am worthy. I am deserving. Today, I move authentically. I am a kind person, but I no longer go out of my way to please others. I naturally exist and feel a sense of peace and freedom. This is a gift that I didn’t realize I needed more than anything else in life. I am genuinely happy inside.
Many people tell me that I look younger these days and am full of life. They ask what changed. My inner world did. These days, my nervous system is calm and my outer world is peaceful. Challenges still arise, but my constant belief that things always work out for me has become fact. I am grateful.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My pen name is T.J. Hope. I am a published author, spoken-word poet, publisher, ghost writer, and event curator. I am most known for my novels and the events I’ve been doing in South Florida for nine years now.
My company is called, TJ Hope Presents, LLC. Our mission statement is to “Vibrate Love through talent and creativity.” My event platform is by artists for artists. I understand that artists need support and community. My events allow artists to perfect their craft in front of an audience, meet collaborators, and gain new fans and followers. They also provide entertainment for those who enjoy poetry and performing arts.
I currently curate three events per month:
1) Love Jones Open Mic Experience is every second Thursday. This platform is an all-arts open mic for poets, spoken-word artists, musicians, singers, comedians and hip-hop artists. Our mic welcomes all levels from novice to professional. We are the longest consistent running open mic in Broward County.
2) Eargasm: Poetry and Chill is every forth Friday. This platform is a showcase for erotic poets and erotic comedians. The artists express erotism in a raw, sexy and unfiltered way. This sexy event has been in existence for eight years.
3) R&B Unplugged: The Ultimate Day Party is my newest platform. I am partnered with Just Laugh Entertainment and Boss Progress on this one. We have a full brunch menu, free mimosas, bottle specials, and all the R&B tunes you love to groove to. This one is currently on every 3rd Saturday, schedule subject to change.
My brand is catered to the Grown & Sexy crowd. I like to create experiences that are enjoyable and out of the box.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’ve always been known as the one who keeps the peace. I want those around me to be happy. We tend to think that everyone else is also the type of person we are. This has led people to mistake my kindness for weakness. When you genuinely love another person and they betray or take advantage, it’s a different level of hurt. But growth comes from hurt. We learn from it.
I will always be kind, because that is my true nature. But I no longer bend or go out of my way to please others. I’ve learned that truly loving me is operating from a place of true authenticity, always.
Maybe there was a time in my life when that person was needed, but now I no longer need others’ approval to validate me. I am complete all on my own.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me strength in all areas: emotionally, mentally, and financially. Raising my kids as a single mother and jumping into entrepreneurship, struggles are not a new condition for me. But I learned that all things are for a season and that the faith of a mustard seed really does move mountains.
It taught me how to manage myself, business, and home better. It showed me how to get by on less when I needed to. It taught me to value things that money could never buy, like love, freedom, and creativity. It also taught me humility, empathy, and compassion.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that authenticity matters the most to me. We are all unique and created that way for a reason. We each have a purpose. How can one know what their true purpose is if they are fearful of showing up as their true self?
Society has its rules of how we should look, behave, and live. I’m in my forties and there’s a whole societal list of things you shouldn’t do or engage in at this age. I engage in my moments and experiences regardless of supposed age restraints. I show up as me, every day.
I feel a special kinship to others who genuinely show up as themselves, regardless of the so-called norms. We are meant to live this life, not just be alive. Whether it is music, poetry, books, art, or life in general, authenticity feeds my soul.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that we create our own reality by the words and thoughts that we put over ourselves. The past is gone and the future is yet to come. The current moment is what we have. Speak and think life, success and love over your life.
I notice that when I was in a negative mindset and said things like, “I’m broke”, I indeed was. I was confirming negativity over my finances. Our perception is our real reality. So, if I think I am broke, my life reflects that in every way. But when I had a mindset shift, when I could “feel” like everything always worked out for me, that it miraculously did.
When I learned to respond with calmness and react in a more positive way, life flowed easier. Opportunities and people to support my vision came into my life easily and without effort. I proclaimed it and God or The Universe (whatever you believe in) orchestrates things to happen when you are operating from true flow and faith.
I never realized before how deeply our own words and beliefs affect our lives and I think most people don’t.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_tjhope/
- Twitter: https://x.com/author_tjhope
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortjhope
- Other: T.J. Hope is available for hire for book publishing, ghostwriting projects, Spoken-Word and Event Promotions. Reach her by DM or Messenger on any of her Social Media platforms or by email to: tjhope954@gmail.com.
TJ currently curates three events monthly: Love Jones Open Mic Experience, Eargasm: Poetry & Chill and R&B Unplugged: The Ultimate Day Party. Follow her for upcoming dates, times and locations.
Image Credits
PG Imagery Photos
