Meet Anthony Edwards | Podcast host and purpose speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, how do you think about risk?

Risk. O man that’s a scary word, it can be bad or good. Risk is necessary in improving yourself and also going for what you want in this life. Risk was something that I was very averse to, because I didn’t really believe in myself back then. Also, a major reason for my apprehension when it came to risk was my upbringing. I was always told: “Don’t try this”, “You can’t do that”, “Don’t try that”, “What’re you doing that for?”, “If it doesn’t work out, you’ll be embarrassed out there”.  I used to follow all that and more, because I thought it was safer to live a mundane life, be a regular person and do what everyone does. However, there was an issue, I always knew that I wasn’t meant to do what everyone else did, but I was meant to fulfill a purpose on this planet. The crazy thing was that I’ve taken small risks and then fear would take over and I would go back to playing small or not playing at all. One risk was going back to school in my late 20’s, looking back at it, I was so concerned with things that didn’t really even matter at the time. Risk is happening right now as you’re reading this. I took a risk 5 years ago in starting a podcast, Keeping The Towel, and it’s still going. I pursued acting for a long time, every audition was a risk. The risk of going in front of strangers, saying sides, and being told NO or being told I booked a project. Another risk was launching into speaking. I’ve always enjoyed speaking to people, but I always thought that was reserved only for preachers and educators. I put that idea away for years. Here I am, watching people left and right take a gamble on themselves, speaking, whether they were good or not (and emphasize not), the very fact that they took a risk on themselves. So, a couple of years ago, that word RISK came to mind. I wanted to improve as a speaker. It started out with attending a workshop, from the workshop, to getting into a class. After completing the class, I had to finally shed the fallacy that I needed approval from people and “confirmation”.  A couple of years ago I finally went all in and started my speaking career, speaking to students and adults. The risk of being laughed at and ignored by people close to you. Every day whenever I call schools or organizations to offer my services, I am constantly putting myself on the chopping block of RISK. I’m risking being told “NO”.  I’m risking being hung up on. I’m risking being spoken to aggressively or nasty, and it happens. But what makes me take the daily risk? What makes me risk getting up almost every single day believing that a yes is out there? Why continue to risk when there’s a truckload of discouragement getting ready to be dumped on me? I always remind myself of a few things:

– Are you willing to let your gifts lie dormant again?

– Why is taking this important to you?

– Your words are going to free some people.

Risk is hard. Risk is a gamble, no matter if it’s calculated or not. But risk is needed. We’re all taking a risk. Every single day that we leave our homes, we are taking a risk. There’s no guarantee that any of us will return home, however, we get up and leave the house for work, hangout with friends, or run errands, to complete our day. When we get back home, we express gratitude to God when we reach back home in one accord. As mentioned before, risk is needed but it must be accompanied by wisdom. If you choose to make changes within your life, risk is there. Losing weight, you risk losing just a few pounds or none. Attending school, you risk passing or failing. Being a parent, you risk your resources, time and everything within you to see your child(ren) become productive, successful citizens in this world. But what do all of these scenarios have in common; each individual gets up every day to do it again and again for a better future, that sounds like it’s worth the risk to me. So, if you’re looking to start a business, go back to school or start school for the first time; looking to go on a date or seeking a true relationship, it’s all a risk. The biggest risk is regret, the biggest regret will be to never have taken a risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I work with a youth sports program, I’m a podcast host and speaker. No, it’s definitely not easy, it’s all on you. I’ve overcome many challenges and am still overcoming them. I don’t run from challenges like I once did for a long time of my life. First, I look at the challenges from a broad view, and then try to pinpoint where the issue(s) lies and take it one step at a time. Discipline, consistency, and failure will always be a challenge, I’ve learned, how you respond is key. The brand, Keeping The Towel, started in February of 2019 in my closet, I almost stopped before I even started because everyone had a podcast or show, so I thought. However, what I realized was that everyone may have a podcast/show but many of them are speaking the same thing. I didn’t want to speak on sports, relationships, true crimes, etc. I wanted to reach the heart and spirit of people. The heart and spirit are sensitive and it’s closely guarded.  And it’s attacked on the regular basis that at times we want to give up, and my mission is all about resilience and perseverance. I always equate life to a fight, you’re going to get hit, maybe get hit to the mat, but you have a choice to get up or get counted out. But even if you do get counted out by life, it’s ok. But like a fighter; retreat, regroup, and get back in the ring. I want my brand to reach the world and I want people to remind themselves, get up again, fight again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Breakfast – Flying Biscuit or West Egg Cafe.

Lunch – Kingston Jamaican restaurant

Dinner – 10 Degrees South. I love the fusion of South African and Mediterranean dishes.

Dessert – Insomnia Cookies or Sovereign sweets

Drink – Bar hop at the revamped Atlantic Station or pick any spot in Dunwoody, I used to sleep on Dunwoody, not anymore.

Hangout – Highland Cigar co., Bar.bacoa (very lively), Char Korean bar & grill (good music)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, The Most High deserves the biggest shoutout. When there were times when I felt inadequate (I am human y’all), but when I sit in silence with a grateful heart, a rejuvenation takes place within and I’m recharged to get back out there. Shoutout to my mother for her encouragement, and my sister, Ayana has always been in my corner. We’re always candidly honest. supporting and encouraging each other. I read so much, so it’s hard to shout out one book, but the books I will shout out are books written by Napoleon Hill, I turn to them for introspection.

Website: www.ikeptmytowel.com

Instagram: @iamantboogie3000

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mranthony-edwards

Twitter: @antboogie3000

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Keepingthetowel

Other: Keeping The Towel show on ALL listening platforms.

Image Credits
Photos credit: Funmi Foster Out The Frame Photography https://www.outtheframe.co/ Self shots