Daily Inspiration: Meet Teddy Van Gough

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teddy Van Gough. 

Teddy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My birth name is Christen Morton. Better known as Teddy Van Gough. I grew up in Detroit, MI. Graduating from the prestigious David Mackenzie High School with the talented class of 2005 where I was a 3 sport Athlete. I played Baseball (3B), Football star and an all-state track and field athlete.

I was never the scholastic overachiever in school. Nor did I care to be. I was actually a very mediocre student, barely graduating student with a 2.3 GPA. I desired only to do just enough to get by. I, like most of us, was suffering from household trauma such as abuse, abandonment, assault, hunger, and other symptoms related to poverty in the inner-city community. They say our adult lives are tremendously impacted by our childhoods. And there are some wounds deeper than others. But the decision to become who and what you become is your decision.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been all but smooth, and ruthless is an understatement. We all have a story. Mine is neither worse nor better than some. The difference is I didn’t quit when it got its hardest. I stopped making excuses when the opportunity to do so presented itself.

I grew up in a single-parent household. Born to a man who had an affair on his wife, with my mother. He later died of a rare jaw cancer when I was around age 1 or so, my mother tells me. So, I never had an official chance to meet him in my memory.

Born at the famous Henry Ford Hospital. My mother explains to me that we lived in southwest Detroit on McGraw Ave. until I was about age 1 or so. After she noticed a rise in neighborhood crime, she moved us to Joy Rd, where I grew up with a group of neighborhood friends. We stayed in trouble back in those days. I grew up fighting a lot, whether it was to defend myself from being robbed for my brand-new Detroit Lions starter jacket or just a friendly neighborhood scrap over the girl next door. As I sit, laugh, and reflect. I reminisce about every foolish tussle I won and that 1 time I got my butt kicked. Daniel was his name. He whooped me up and down the playground.

A lot of times fighting was my lashing out process growing up. My mother was present and distant simultaneously. Our relationship was always rocky. We never actually bonded as mother and son should. When I grew up, I forced her to sit down and talk to me in-depth about the disconnect. That was our first ever bonding experience that I could remember. We fussed a little, we cursed a little, we hugged then we understood. I found out that my mother had a lot of trauma of her own buried deep within that she never dealt with and those traumas reflected on me.

I experienced a term of being homeless about 7 years ago now. It was possibly the roughest 2-year period in my life. Like most 28 year olds, I was fumbling through life, making all the wrong decisions. About halfway through those two years, I finally took ownership of my mishaps and accepted responsibility for what landed me in that position. This I speak a lot about in my book coming later this year.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Teddy Van Gough is a brand. Teddy Van Gough is me. Teddy Van Gough was birthed from pure limitless creativity. The name Teddy was given to me because of my stature, by an old friend. She used to say I reminded her of Gerald Levert “The Velvet Teddy Bear”. Van Gough came from my artistic expressions in my haircut style. I was given that name by another friend of mine a while back. Thus, Teddy Van Gough was born.

The brand represents professionalism, first and foremost. Also presence and power. Teddy is For the people. A brand that influences, motivates and inspires.

I am an Author:

My first book is set to be released later this year. Titled; “Bro, Just Listen/Sis, You too”(please highlight the title). This book dives deep into experiences of my personal life. Traumas I’ve endured, obstacles I’ve hurdled and how I overcame them. But with a focus on relationships and how us men can be and need to be better while giving tips and pointers on how we can do so. Outlining how I do so on a daily basis. This literature also lends a perspective to my sisters on how men operate and how, in my opinion, they can also operate more efficiently in life as well. One of my favorite quotes from my book is:

“We cannot demand of others what we demand of ourselves.” -Teddy Van Gough

Meaning we place a burden on others to live up to the expectations in which we hold ourselves. We oftentimes find nothing more than disappointment with this thinking. I describe how to shift perspective to a thinking that is, love people for where they are and for whom they are. Expect nothing more than what they give. This I have adopted myself, and this has saved me so much grief.

I am a motivational speaker:

I live my days in effort to inspire those I come in contact with. Those whom are seeking a listening ear and an inspirational tongue. At the time of this interview, I am 35 years old. I’ve experienced a tremendous amount of grief in life. Trials and tribulations. I’ve experienced my fair share of being counted out. I am currently in a place of experiencing tremendous success. I use my position to help whom is seeking.

I am a Barber:

Hair is my second love in life and she’s been the most consistent throughout. I’ve been a Barber for almost 12 years now. Licensed through the state of Michigan in cosmetology. I’ve been focusing exclusively on cutting hair for about 8 years now. I found that I was able to be more creative with the clippers. It came much easier to me than styling did. I am currently the leading barber in Detroit when it comes to “Natural Women’s” Short Haircuts and Beard Sculpting. So most say. I do service children ages 5 and up.

I am an Actor:

I just recently started my acting career in 2021. And that phrase “bitten by the acting bug” is real!

I got my first official lines in a movie produced by Renieka McQueen titled, “A Family Divided”. I adore that woman because she was the one who gave me a shot when everyone else thought I was just running my mouth about becoming a serious actor. From then I was asked to be an extra in a few other independent films in Detroit. In November 2021, I took a class being given by Director Kamal Smith. This class gave me the confidence I needed to really get rolling. I began to put my face out there and I got a call from another well-known independent film director by the name of Beasy Jones, with A Line Cinema. He offered me my first Lead Role in a film coming in 2022 titled, “#LoveGoals”. In this film, I play a well-dressed, Well-groomed CEO named Sean. I can’t wait for you guys to check us out.

I also own a host of other companies. 1 being a new product line to watch out for from TVG Essentials.

I am probably most proud of my growth as a man, as a husband, and as a father. I take life very seriously but I NEVER forget what makes me who and what I am and that is family and laughter.

What sets me apart is a question I get asked a lot. And I honestly can’t answer that because I just focus on me being the best me and being true to who I am, what I believe, and doing right by people. I try not to concern myself with competition which is what I feel that question breeds. Don’t get me wrong, competition is great and healthy for growth but I understand there is only ONE me just like there’s only ONE you. So, my competition is internal. I compete with myself to be tomorrow, a better me than my current today’s self.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My wife is the real freaking MVP. I can’t EVER praise that woman enough. She has molded me, supported me, literally held me, and also looked straight in the face and said “stop being a punk, I trust you’ll make the best decision”. With a force like that behind you, its very hard to fail.

More people than I can name have played such monumental roles in my success. That’s in every area of my life from my guys Miles, Rome, Zo, Damar, and Pudd. Those guys played parts in my maturation process. Those guys are a huge part of my foundation.

Pricing:

• Signature Men’s Haircut $70 and up
• Book me to speak (TBD- Contact [email protected])
• TVG Essentials Beard Oil $19.95
• Book for a movie (TBD- Contact [email protected])
• Bro, Just Listen/Sis, You Too (TBD)

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.legendofteddy.com
• Instagram: @LegendOf_Teddy
• Facebook: Teddy Van Gough
• Twitter: @LegendOf_Teddy
• Other: https://linktr.ee/legendof_teddy

Image Credits
Tony X Productions
A Line Cinema