Welcome to Episode 4 of the Struggle 2 Strength Podcast!
In this gripping episode, host Tyson Green sits down with Matthew Norford, a former gang leader turned mentor and founder of 1Message. Once at the top of Manchester’s gang world, Matthew was deeply involved in crime, violence, and drug operations. But after his brother was murdered in a brutal knife attack and serving time in prison, he made the life-changing decision to break the cycle and dedicate himself to guiding young people away from the streets.
Episode Highlights:
🔹 Early Life & The Road to Crime: Matthew shares his upbringing in Manchester, the challenges he faced growing up, and how he was drawn into gang culture at a young age.
🔹 Rising to Power: The reality of gang leadership, the dangers of the lifestyle, and the brutal consequences of crime.
🔹 A Wake-Up Call: After his brother was murdered, Matthew was forced to confront the devastating impact of gang violence. He shares how that loss, along with his time in prison, pushed him to make a change.
🔹 Building 1Message: How Matthew now works with young people, schools, and communities to prevent gang involvement, knife crime, and county lines exploitation.
🔹 Breaking the Cycle: The importance of mentorship, second chances, and rewriting your story—no matter where you come from.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about crime prevention, youth mentorship, and the power of transformation. Matthew’s journey from gang life to community leader is a true testament to resilience, change, and purpose.
👉 Listen now on all major audio platforms!
Follow Matthew's Journey: @1messageofficial Follow Host: @tyson_g_official Follow and Subscribe on YouTube & Instagram: @struggle2strengthcommunity
🎙 Tune in for future episodes where we share powerful stories of resilience, transformation, and overcoming life’s toughest battles.
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