At YEOUTH, we believe beauty is more than skin deep. It lives in strength, resilience, and real-life experience. That is why we created Real People. Real Stories. It shares the journeys of our YEOUTH community. These are not skincare testimonials. They are stories of growth, self-love, and transformation told by real people for real people.

Welcome to where beauty meets authenticity.

Real People. Real Stories.

Tommy’s Journey: From Silence to Purpose

I would credit social media with helping me find my voice, my purpose, and my courage. Twitter, the original platform, in particular. When I was younger, I was painfully shy and lacked confidence. I believed I did not fit in or belong anywhere. I thought my life was just to work at a desk job every day and simply exist. I did not feel like I had a right to take up space, and I surely did not think I had much to offer. I always felt like I was not good enough, but deep down, I knew there was more to life than what I was doing. I was kind, I was helpful, and I thought I was happy.

Discovering Connection Through Twitter

In 2009, I saw an episode of Oprah’s show where she was signing up for a new social media platform, Twitter. Ashton Kutcher was a guest and helped her set it up. From what Ashton said about it, it seemed so interesting to me. It felt like the connection I needed.

So, I signed up and decided to try it. I figured if I did not like it, I could always delete it later. After that first week, I never looked back. Twitter became a place where I shared things I never thought I would. I made friends quickly, friends who had so much in common with me, and friends I was learning from.

Some of those friends were people I never imagined I would meet, even some well-known ones. They came from all over the world and from many backgrounds. I began to find my voice, which led me to connect with people like Kirstie Alley, Alyssa Milano, and even Ashton Kutcher through Twitter. Some of these interactions even turned into in-person meetings.

They all used their platforms to help others, to amplify voices, and to do good. Kirstie even organized a “Tweet-a-Thon” for an entire weekend to raise money to bring clean water to villages in Africa.

From Online to Real-World Activism

I learned that I could use my platform, which was growing quickly in the entertainment space, to help others too. I came across the NOH8 Campaign, which caught my attention because of the LGBTQ connections I was making. I went to Washington, D.C. to march for marriage equality. This once shy kid was breaking out of his shell and finding ways to make a difference, to count, and to be seen.

I made an amazing friend who became a mentor, Carol Quinn. She encouraged me to be bolder and saw things in me that I did not see in myself. She also encouraged me to meet more of my online friends in person. There was a Twitter conference called The 140 Conference, run by Jeff Pulver, taking place in Los Angeles.

Carol knew I had always wanted to go to California. She also knew many of my online friends were from Los Angeles, and many others were attending the event. She suggested I go and said, “Hey, if you think we are all crazy or really hate it, you’ll be in LA and can just ditch us and go explore.”

That sounded good to me. I was nervous but excited. A group of us met for dinner that first night and immediately became family.

Growing into an Influencer

That trip opened doors I never imagined. It led me to work with TV Land, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Vanity Fair, Tommy Hilfiger, NY Fashion Week, and more. It gave me the chance to be seen and to use my visibility to bring attention to causes that mattered, like NOH8 and the LGBTQ community.

Over the years, NOH8 has come to represent not only the fight for marriage equality but also equality for all people and a voice for the voiceless. Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley, the founders of NOH8, have become good friends. I have volunteered in many states to help spread their message.

NOH8 helped me focus my purpose. It helped me harness what I was growing and direct it toward helping others. It made everything clear. I was being led toward finding myself, my voice, and my purpose, and how to use all of that to make a difference.

Finding Clarity and Sharing My Voice

I even started a blog where I interviewed people. That eventually grew into my podcast, Prelude to Positivity, where I continue to do the same.

No matter how big or small your community is, you can influence change. You can spark positivity and help guide it in the right direction if you keep faith in your heart, lead with authenticity, and listen to those who truly care about you.

If you feel like you have no purpose, look at your interests, your passions, and what matters most to you. They will lead you to your true purpose. You may have to overcome a few things. For me, it was shyness, but it can be done. I did it by thinking about all I would miss out on if I stayed in my comfort bubble. You are worth fighting for, and others need you to find that courage so you can help them too.

Thank You, Tommy

We appreciate you for sharing your story. You remind us that every voice can shine, even the quiet ones.

Want to follow along with Tommy’s story?

Connect with Tommy:

Instagram: @tommy_geraci_

Twitter: @tommy_geraci_

Podcast: Prelude to Positivity

💬 Share Your Story

Have you walked through a season of challenge or growth that shaped who you are today? We would love to hear it. Message us or email your story to heidieo@kevgo.co.

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