Tyronda Antoinette Thomas
I've been in my field for a total of between 10 and 15 years. Currently, I'm a customer service representative for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, where I've been for 2 years as of July. We take safety complaints, look up recall information, and handle complaints on motor vehicle safety defect equipment. But what I'm most passionate about is my podcast and my book. I started my podcast, Self-Love, a Problem and Podcast, which you can find on Spotify for creators. I have about 4 seasons, and it's intertwined with different subject matters. It's open for women and men, and basically shows everybody that it's okay to love yourself, despite whatever situation you're going through or whatever you have going on. I was going through a lot at the time before I started my podcast. My life kind of just consumed around my kid's dad, my kids, my job. When my kid's father started to get sick and I was taking care of him, one moment he was resting and sleep and the kids were relaxing, so I said, well, this would be a good time for me to go ahead and start my podcast. I started it around 2024, because he passed away last year in January. Then my book came about when he was actually in the hospital. I had just decided, well, I got a podcast out, I might as well write a book. So I just decided to pick up a pen and I just started writing. The book is basically about my life, surrounding self-love, how I started out, how I grew up, my life as a teenager all the way up to a woman, and how I learned how to love myself and accept myself and things that I went through. I'm working on trying to get it published. I'm also currently in school online working on getting my associate degree in communication studies, and my GPA's been great.
• Medical Assisting Diploma
• Medical Assisting Diploma from Trade School
• Associate Degree in Communication Studies (in progress)
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my parents, both of them. I was raised with my mom. My parents had separated when I was little, but they both encouraged me to do a lot of things, and they were great role models. I could always talk to them about anything. So they kind of pushed me a lot. With the podcast, my mom was more so the one who really pushed me to do it, because I really wasn't gonna do it. She said, well, no, I think you should do it, I think you should share your story. And then, once I proceeded with the podcast, then I thought about it, I'm like, well, since I've already got this done, I might as well really share my story and put it in a book. My parents were very influential throughout my life. I would also say starting my podcast was my most notable professional achievement, because I was always hesitant on it. I would be like, I'mma do it, but then I would hesitate, be like, nobody gonna listen to it. But then, I just, one day, I just was like, okay, I'mma just go ahead and go forward with it, because you're not gonna succeed if you don't try. So I just decided to start my podcast, and like I said, then later on down the line, after my four seasons, I decided to write my book. So I would say my podcast, because that's what really led me to write my book.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was to keep trying never give up and anything you wanna do just do it.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, don't hesitate. If it's something you want to do, go for it. Anything you want to do, you should go for it. Believe in yourself. I know there's times where you'll have your moments where you might get hesitant, or you might say, you know what, I don't want to do this anymore, but I would encourage that young lady to continue to follow her dreams. Do what you feel is necessary, and do what you feel is right. Always push yourself.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I struggled a lot to get to this point working retail and restaurants while having a night job til now I have my own podcast work from home and work a book on my life and my kids push me everyday they are my motivation
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Key values in work and personal life—such as integrity, accountability, and growth—guide decisions, build trust, and ensure alignment between actions and beliefs
. In the workplace, innovation and collaboration drive success, while personally, compassion and authenticity foster meaningful relationships , beliefs
Locations
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
3301 Hunt Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254