We recently had the chance to connect with Roy Long Jr. and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Roy, 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 do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
For the past year, the start of my day has been the same. My body has an internal alarm clock that wakes me up at 4:30 AM. After I get myself together, I head directly to the gym for my morning workout. 30 minutes to wake and get my pre game meal/drink. 60 minutes to workout. This routine has become a lifestyle for me. One of my non negotiables.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
The first time I did an interview with Voyage, which was a few years ago, me and a few friends started a basketball podcast. Life and career changes have since ended that podcast. Since then I’ve continued pushing my own brand without too much promotion. I call it “Pushing 2 Greatness”. In short it’s basically an inside visual of my life journeys. Through that I honestly hoped I could inspire or motivate anyone following to simply keep pushing and overcoming anything obstacle that life is throwing at them. I started an Instagram and Facebook account back in 2017 where I was literally sharing any positive quote or post that hit personally for me when I read it. I made a lot of my own posts as well but anything from someone that was relevant to my current situation would get a repost. 2017 was a tough time for me mentally and physically. But my Pushing 2 Greatness page helped me in ways I never imagined.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mentor, Mr Jeff. Or as I would call him, my man Mr J! He was probably twice my age but he had a youthful spirit and a lot of wisdom that he was always willing to share with me unapologetically. He was the first person that made me actually believe that I could achieve the career success that I have achieved as a young African American male in the corporate world. I’m from East Baltimore City, born and raised and typically you don’t see young men that look like me actually make it to be a Manager of an entire Manufacturing team in the Biopharmacuetical world. Especially one who has stayed true to his principles and with no college degree. But my mentor would sit with me and hear me try to explain my vision, my goals and all the madness I had in my head. Until one day he looked at me and said “Roy, you’re ready. I don’t care where you’re from. They can’t deny you for too long”
My mentor Mr J passed away a few years ago, but his wisdom still sticks with me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
God created you to be unique. Never dim your light to make others comfortable. Your light is meant to shine. Your “dopeness” as I like to call it isn’t meant for everyone. Keep shining young man!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would like to think so. I share so much of my life journeys that you might not believe it in person during my corporate life because I’m so reserved naturally. But if you really sit and talk with me to get to know me… You’ll see I’m the most loyal, loving, passionate guy that you’ll ever meet. Each of those traits comes out in different parts of the journeys that I share.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That I didn’t help certain people. Or I left certain people behind… And that hits hard for me because I grew up not knowing what the word “boundaries” meant. I poured so much of my time, energy and love into others that at times it messed with my own mental, my own marriage, my own career and more. But therapy and my bible teachings have helped me understand that I can still care for others but I don’t have to drive myself crazy while doing it. If something doesn’t feel right, go with that initial instinct. It’s not lying to you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Pushing2greatness
- Facebook: Pushing To Greatness
- Youtube: Pushing 2 Greatness
