5 Questions with Tevaughn Blake

Engineering Student, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, and Youtuber

1. Tell a little about your educational journey

My educational journey has been quite a transformative journey with both good and challenging experiences along the way, which helped in developing the person I am today. I grew up in a small community in South Trelawny, where I attended the Albert Town Primary and Infant School as a child. Thinking back to when I was in primary school, there was never a situation when I was considered “one of the bright students” in my class, but despite not being the brightest, I’ve always been one who worked hard to keep up with my lessons and even compete with the bright ones. I was a very involved student who participated in music, sports, dance and anything I could get myself involved in. I then matriculated to Troy High School where I spent the most impactful five years of my life. I went to Troy High School as a young, confused, average student and my experience there transformed me into a mature, confident and well-rounded individual.

During high school, I struggled with subjects such as English language and literature, but I developed a love for technical subjects, sciences such as chemistry and physics along with Math. With the help of God, I excelled in my CXCs leaving with 9 subjects including English that I struggled with, and the boy who once was not considered so bright was recognized as the first student to get a grade 1 in physics at the CSEC level at the school. After graduating from Troy High School, I went to Knox Community College for two years, where I completed my Associate of Applied Science Degree in Engineering. I then matriculated to The University of Technology, Jamaica where I’m now in my final year of my Bachelor’s Degree program in Electrical Engineering and computing. From my journey I’ve recognized that it doesn’t matter where you got started, what matters is where you finish.

2. What is your major source of inspiration?

My mother has always been that extra push in my life. The one who’s always there to encourage me to go after my dreams, to be creative and sometimes even when I don’t believe that I’ll be able to take the next step, her belief in me provides that drive from within to keep going. From a very young age, my mom always told me “Tevaughn,…do your best, because only your best is good enough,” and those positive words that she continued to speak over me while growing up, inspires me up to this day to always do my best in everything I do, and never give up unless I’ve genuinely done my best because only my best is good enough.

3. Why did you decide to become a motivational speaker?

We all go through challenges and struggles daily, some may experience greater challenges than others, sometimes it may even seem like there’s no hope, but I’ve always believed that there’s greatness in every one of us and no matter what the situation may be, sometimes a ‘word’ is all it takes to turn things around. I know this because it has been the words of my mother that continue to keep me in times when I feel like giving up. Unfortunately, not everyone has people in their life who will speak words to uplift and help them to go through their struggles, to remind them of the word of God, nor to encourage them to keep going.

As a result, some people may just give up on their dreams and for some, even their life. So with my natural passion to help and see people overcome, I decided that just as someone motivated me during my downtimes, I also wanted to be that person for the people out there who are on the urge of giving up and need that word of life. That ray of light in someone‘s life, to let them know that there’s still hope. So with the inspiration of God, I recognized that it is God’s calling on my life to use my gift of motivating others by speaking to help people, through the messages I share, to overcome their challenges and develop the courage to keep going after their dreams and never give up.

4. What advice would you give your younger self?

Firstly, I would definitely advise my younger self to believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to try something new due to the fear of failing, because failure is not the opposite of success, it’s only a part of the journey to success. Each failure equips you with the necessary experience and knowledge that you need to have a higher chance to succeed when you try again. Secondly, maintain that attitude of always trying, it will bring you a long way. Thirdly, be obedient because obedience is better than sacrifice, and lastly, stop running from your calling, accept it, and walk-in your purpose.

5. Describe a chill day for Tevaughn Blake.

A chill day for me is just pure good vibe and good food with my two closest cousins, my mom or my best friend. Filled with laughter, good music, playing cards, dominos, or charades. Sometimes it would be going to the beach, river, or somewhere nice and just relax while other times it’s just me, with my phone on airplane mode, just listening to calming music while I reconnect with myself.

IG: @tevaughnblake

Youtube: BLAKE Inspires