Thomas Chatman

From Bullied Kid to Renaissance Man

I wasn’t always confident in who I was. Growing up, I was bullied and never truly fit into any community that I stepped foot in. For a while, I carried that weight in silence until I found sports. Athletics became my first outlet. It was the place where I learned discipline, resilience, and how to turn pressure into performance. But just as I began to believe in myself and understand my purpose on this earth, that chapter came to an end. I lost sports, and with it, the identity I had built around them.

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That loss forced a deeper question: Who am I?

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The answer didn’t come quickly. It came through years of trial, error, and discovery. I tried my hand at battle rapping, hosting concerts, designing clothes, shooting photography, selling artwork, and more. I launched hundreds of projects that succeeded and some that didn’t. But in the process, I found something far more valuable than perfection; I found myself.

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Today, I’m proud to say I’m a lot of things:

• A Software Engineer at Dell Technologies

• CEO of Catalyst Studios, a global art initiative

• Co-Author of "Quotescriptions"

• President of the Developing Men of Color, a national nonprofit

• A triathlete, runner, and competitor who reconnected with his love for athletics on new terms

• A speaker, mentor, and creative, dedicated to impact across tech, art, and personal growth

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But titles are all external. The journey is what fuels my mission. I believe clarity doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from movement. From trying, failing, and refusing to let fear or judgment define my potential. I’m here to help people explore the full range of who they are, even the parts they haven’t discovered yet. Whether it’s through my ventures, my content, or simply conversation, I hope to inspire others to start, stumble, reflect, and keep going.

Because every chapter, even the unexpected ones, can lead you to exactly where you’re meant to be.