No Excuses Episode 20: Celebrating Black History + Black Joy: Juneteenth Roundtable

As of June 15, 2021, the Senate has passed a bill to establish Juneteenth National Independence Day a federal holiday. Juneteenth recognizes and marks the emancipation of formerly enslaved African Americans, commemorating the date in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.

On this podcast, Sean Corvelle sits down with five uniquely incredible guests to talk about their relationship with the holiday. The roundtable dives into the impact that the murder of George Floyd had on their lives, how they’re healing from generational trauma and most importantly, how they practice Black Joy.

Brendon Ayanbadejo

Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo understands both the pain of discrimination and the personal joy in the fight for equal rights for all. He’s a businessman working as an Orangetheory Fitness Developer, a father, and a child of a biracial couple. He has thrown himself into the battle for equal rights, fighting to legalize same-sex marriage, with a relentless determination towards victory.

Connect with Brendon:

Instagram: @brendon310
Facebook: Brendon Ayanbadejo
Website: http://www.brendonayanbadejo.net

Tyrone Daye

Born and Raised in Newark, New Jersey, Tyrone Daye is a part of RYT 200 Yoga Blue Fitness as the first Black male yoga teacher from Newark. He is a Co Founder of Kings Motivation Project, an enrichment mentorship program for young men of color that teaches them the business values and what it takes to be a King in society today. His other roles include: Meditation & Reiki practitioner, HIIT trainer, Life Coach, and Attendance Counselor for Newark public schools.

Connect with Ty:

Instagram: @iamtydaye
Facebook: Tyrone Daye

Johny Dyer

Johny Dyer desires constant growth, whether it be in relationships, business, sports, or fitness. He played one year of NCAA NAIA Football in Minnesota, then came back to Canada to finish his football career in Victoria, BC. When that ended, he pursued a new career in health and fitness. He has always had a desire to help and inspire others, especially those who don’t have a voice or role model who identifies as he does (a Black, gay athlete). He owns a private personal training studio in North Burnaby called DyerFitness Inc, and will be dedicating the next five years to compete in CrossFit.

Connect with Johny:

Instagram: @balancedi
Website: https://www.dyerfitness.ca

Monica Jones

Monica Jones is a certified personal trainer turned feel-good fitness influencer based in the Washington DC metro area. Specializing in TRX Suspension, Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, Performance Enhancement and Boxing Conditioning, Monica coaches at a variety of studios in DC and Arlington. If you aren’t sweating it out with her in the studio, you are definitely catching her on Global Under Armour Women’s campaigns!

Connect with Monica:

Instagram: @trainwithmon

Latoya Shauntay Snell

Noted by The Root 100 as one of the most influential African Americans ages 25 to 45, Latoya Shauntay Snell is a sponsored Multi-Sport Endurance Athlete, Body Politics Activist, Motivational Speaker, Content Creator, and Founder of Running Fat Chef – a food and fitness centered blog. Snell is changing the narrative of ideal body types, mental health and fitness stereotypes in the fitness and wellness space. She uses her voice to talk about intersectionality in sports to change the language for future generations in fitness and beyond.

Connect with Latoya: