Tony didn’t plan to build a life around surrender. Early in marriage he made a countercultural choice—his wife would stay home—then walked straight into hardship: a father-in-law’s terminal diagnosis, his grandfather’s sudden death, and a long season of infertility. A chance visit to a church meeting in a movie theater opened the door to community and a deeper faith, but old patterns—control, image, the drive for money—followed him back to Miami. The result was shingles in his early 30s, a wake-up call that forced him to ask what God was actually asking of him.

In this conversation with host Teko Bailey, Tony traces the long arc from self-reliance to submission: leaving a lucrative real-estate lane, returning to the Carolinas, taking a corporate detour, and finally answering an unexpected vocational call—roofing—where he discovered “marketplace ministry” and the freedom to put God, marriage, and fatherhood in their right order. Along the way he found brotherhood through F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, Faith), re-framed money as a tool rather than a master, and learned to design a family-first life without letting fear drive.

If you’re a husband, father, or builder carrying quiet stress, this episode offers clear, tested practices: work on yourself more than the business, prioritize the household before the hustle, and trade control for daily submission—so your faith, marriage, and work can finally flow in the same direction.

Chapters

00:00 – Home Over Hustle

01:56 – From Crisis to Community

03:56 – Control, Image & Shingles

06:22 – Wrestling with Calling

10:57 – Infertility to Miracle

19:26 – Money, Identity & Surrender

23:50 – Leaving “Egypt” & Roofing Call

28:28 – Business Peace & Brotherhood

33:09 – Family-First Frameworks

39:05 – Order the Home, Lead with Love

About Tony Garay

LinkedIn: Tony Garay

About Teko Bailey

Teko Bailey is a husband, father, coach, and guide for men walking the path of faith and purpose. Through The Climb, he’s building a brotherhood of men committed to living fully, leading boldly, and climbing with intention.

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@IamTekoBailey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tekobailey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production, Distribution, and Marketing:

Massif Studio & Production

The Tallawah Group

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