"Q&A With Tony Gaskins"

January 10, 2019

Book: Make It Work

Author: Tony Gaskins

Author Bio:

"After speaking out about how weak and insecure men control women in relationships in 2009 on several globally televised shows, Tony Gaskins launched his career as a life coach and relationship counselor.

Since then, Gaskins, who has been a faithful and committed husband for over a decade, has counseled thousands and inspired millions online, becoming one of America’s foremost experts on love and relationships.

Practical and accessible, and delivered in the empowering, empathetic tone his devoted following has come to love and trust, Make It Work walks you through a series of essential lessons on how to maintain a healthy and long-lasting relationship.

Drawing inspiration from the Bible and from his own personal failures and successes, Gaskins offers a framework for how to recognize the right person to settle down with, how to set standards that promote loving relationships—and what to avoid in a successful union.

Make It Work arrives as a hopeful response to a culture where breakups and divorces are all too common, and it serves as a vital resource to help your relationship thrive today." (Source: www.tonygaskins.com)

1. How have you evolved as a writer from your first book up until your latest?

I've grown as a person. It's been 12 years since I published my first book so I've learned some things about life since then. I've also become a better writer because of the grammar coaches on social media.

2. What is the most rewarding thing, for you, working with professional athletes?

Working with people is rewarding. There isn't really much of a difference between a pro athlete and a school teacher. Everyone's story is so intriguing and the work is always deep and heartfelt. The cool thing about working with pro athletes is that I'm a fan of sports and I get free tickets sometimes.

3. How does a positive relationship look?

You can't tell from the outside most of the time because the fake and the real look the same on Instagram. But from the inside, it's more about the feel than the look. It feels like freedom and peace. There isn't any crying and fighting every week. There isn't any breaking up to make up. It's pure. It's whole. It's a consistent selfless effort from both involved.

4. Was there a particular relationship that inspired you to write, “Make It Work”?

The inspiration came from all of the celebrity divorces I saw in the media, but the lessons in the book come from my 12-year marriage with my Queen, Sheri Gaskins. I can't front, my relationship with her is absolutely amazing and it gets better every day. I had to share the sauce with the world because I realize now that happy and healthy relationships are not the norm in our society.

5. What are 3 key things that relationships that work have?

Healthy relationships have complete faithfulness, open communication, and selfless service.

6. What is the overall goal of “Self-Love-University”?

I started Self-Love-U.com to be a place where people can come and grow as a person. The site is comprised of online courses in the areas of life, love, and business. We also have a community aspect with a private group and monthly Power Calls.

7. Where did your calling for life coaching stem from?

Truthfully, I've been a life coach since I was a child. I can remember as early as 8th grade doing what I do now as a professional. I've always like to be a light, a guide, and a servant. It became a profession when I found out that it's a thing people actually pay for.

After my first book, women started asking me could they speak to me personally to ask more questions. If I did it for free, we would have ended up homeless.

So I learned coaching/consulting is a profession and I started quoting people a price when I was 23 years old and that is when I became a professional life coach.

8. What is your least favorite part of writing?

I love everything about writing. It's an art form. If I had to pick something I like the least, it would be grammar rules. I don't think we should police the art of writing as much as we do.

9. What is the best advice you have ever received on happiness?

Somewhere along the way, I heard that happiness is a choice. Once I learned that it changed my life. I realize that no matter the circumstance or situation, I can choose happiness.

10. What is your best advice for getting through writer’s block?

I don't have writer's block because I write from the heart, not from the head. So I guess that would be my best advice. If you're writing a book, make it real, and raw. It's not a college report so don't get stuck on trying to write as you did in school.

Write from your heart and share your knowledge, wisdom, and understanding with the world instead of regurgitating everything you've heard from others. We need YOUR voice!

11. You already have a handful of books published under your belt, do you plan on writing any more in the future?

Absolutely! I will write a book a year for the rest of my life most likely.

Thank you for your time and support! It was great speaking with you! Please make sure you order my latest book "Make It Work."