Marvin Tay
We were lucky to have a chat with Marvin Tay, an amazing person we've had the joy of teaming up with as a professional model. While we worked together, we had some meaningful talks where Marvin opened up about his journey. He's shown remarkable determination in standing up for his rights and finding his place in society. Working with Marvin has been
enjoyable; we deeply respect how he keeps going no matter what. Marvin is the embodiment of an Everyday Hero.
What do you work with?
I have not just one, but a couple of different professions, and I perceive each of them as an expression or extension of myself. I work as an elite athlete and a fashion model. In addition, I am involved in entrepreneurial endeavors within corporate communications and management.
How did you start working with this, and where does your commitment come from?
My commitment stems from my upbringing. I know how it feels to be excluded as a young colored boy, growing up in a housing project where no one believes in your dreams or ambitions. Instead, they make fun of them.
As a young person, I had so many emotions and thoughts I wanted to express, but the environment and tools were lacking. Because of that, I became dormant and passive for a long time. I never want anyone to feel the way I did as a young person, trapped within the four walls of my room.
In what way do you believe your work makes a difference?
A significant part of my work is about providing individuals with the tools and opportunities needed to find their place in our world. I believe that pure evil doesn't exist, but it's subjective. In other words, even the villain in comics, movies, etc., is the hero in their narrative. To answer your question, a big part of my work revolves around building an "understanding" for each other and creating opportunities.
What does the term Everyday Hero mean to you?
For me, an Everyday Hero is an individual who chooses to help others without any hidden agenda. That is made purely out of willingness, and I believe that when one achieves this form of enlightenment, it shines through, and people around can feel this "warmth" or "radiance."
Which tool do you believe is most important in preventing violence in society?
To prevent violence in society, I believe we first need to work on understanding each other and respecting individuals' perspectives and truths. Once we have achieved this foundation, we can start to create mutual understanding, which leads to cooperation. That means that we as individuals, actors, and organizations need to accept that our worldview is not the only one.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned from working in what you do?
The biggest lesson I've learned from working on this kind of initiative is that "alone is not always strong," but if you're strong alone, you become even stronger when you can harmonize with others.
In your opinion, is there anything that people of all professions, backgrounds, and ages can do to help create a less violent society?
I don't advocate for doing grand things. We all have lives that aren't always perfect or go as planned. However, I want to emphasize the importance of delving deeper into the people around us. It doesn't hurt to genuinely ask "How are you?" or lend an ear to truly understand their experiences. We don't always need to hear a solution to our challenges in life; often we find it ourselves. Instead, I believe we often need someone who can empathize and relate to us.
If you could nominate someone you know as an Everyday Hero, who would it be and why?
Many passionate individuals come to my mind. But there are two groups I'd like to highlight:
I want to salute you, parents, who truly struggle to make ends meet despite life's difficulties - thank you. I also want to salute you, young people, who struggle to find your place in our world and resist the fast current - hang in there, the world will be yours.
I have not just one, but a couple of different professions, and I perceive each of them as an expression or extension of myself. I work as an elite athlete and a fashion model. In addition, I am involved in entrepreneurial endeavors within corporate communications and management.
How did you start working with this, and where does your commitment come from?
My commitment stems from my upbringing. I know how it feels to be excluded as a young colored boy, growing up in a housing project where no one believes in your dreams or ambitions. Instead, they make fun of them.
As a young person, I had so many emotions and thoughts I wanted to express, but the environment and tools were lacking. Because of that, I became dormant and passive for a long time. I never want anyone to feel the way I did as a young person, trapped within the four walls of my room.
In what way do you believe your work makes a difference?
A significant part of my work is about providing individuals with the tools and opportunities needed to find their place in our world. I believe that pure evil doesn't exist, but it's subjective. In other words, even the villain in comics, movies, etc., is the hero in their narrative. To answer your question, a big part of my work revolves around building an "understanding" for each other and creating opportunities.
What does the term Everyday Hero mean to you?
For me, an Everyday Hero is an individual who chooses to help others without any hidden agenda. That is made purely out of willingness, and I believe that when one achieves this form of enlightenment, it shines through, and people around can feel this "warmth" or "radiance."
Which tool do you believe is most important in preventing violence in society?
To prevent violence in society, I believe we first need to work on understanding each other and respecting individuals' perspectives and truths. Once we have achieved this foundation, we can start to create mutual understanding, which leads to cooperation. That means that we as individuals, actors, and organizations need to accept that our worldview is not the only one.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned from working in what you do?
The biggest lesson I've learned from working on this kind of initiative is that "alone is not always strong," but if you're strong alone, you become even stronger when you can harmonize with others.
In your opinion, is there anything that people of all professions, backgrounds, and ages can do to help create a less violent society?
I don't advocate for doing grand things. We all have lives that aren't always perfect or go as planned. However, I want to emphasize the importance of delving deeper into the people around us. It doesn't hurt to genuinely ask "How are you?" or lend an ear to truly understand their experiences. We don't always need to hear a solution to our challenges in life; often we find it ourselves. Instead, I believe we often need someone who can empathize and relate to us.
If you could nominate someone you know as an Everyday Hero, who would it be and why?
Many passionate individuals come to my mind. But there are two groups I'd like to highlight:
I want to salute you, parents, who truly struggle to make ends meet despite life's difficulties - thank you. I also want to salute you, young people, who struggle to find your place in our world and resist the fast current - hang in there, the world will be yours.
