Today we’d like to introduce you to Tory Delaney
Hi Tory, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Formally, I’m known as Tory the Barber. Barbering was my first discovered passion, but this story isn’t about that—lol. Over the years, I’ve relied heavily on podcasts and books for wisdom and personal growth. Podcasts, in particular, have played a huge role in guiding me and shaping my mindset.
The FreeWill Podcast started with me and one of my best friends, now known as “FreeWill Co.” It began as simple weekly check-ins—every Friday at 8:30 PM, we’d meet to talk about our highs, lows, wins, and challenges from the past week. We kept this up for about a month before I had a realization: we were constantly having deep conversations about our dreams, goals, and the work required to build something from scratch. Most people only see success once it’s already achieved, but they rarely witness the process—the grind, the setbacks, the small victories.
That’s when I said, “We should start going live on Instagram to show people what the process really looks like.” And that’s how FreeWill Friday was born—our weekly livestream where we showed up consistently, every single Friday, for over a year without fail.
Somewhere along that journey, the idea of turning it into a full-fledged podcast naturally emerged. At first, we weren’t setting out to create a podcast—it was about documenting the journey in real-time, proving to ourselves and others that success isn’t just about the destination but about the work and growth along the way. It also became a form of video proof—something we could always look back on to see how far we’ve come.
Today, that vision has evolved into the FreeWill Podcast on YouTube. We’ve built it from the ground up, and we’re now approaching 40 episodes—40 consecutive weeks of showing up, recording, and sharing our journey with the world. And we’re just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges has been balancing our personal lives while managing the growth of the FreeWill Podcast and its potential. It’s a constant effort to juggle both worlds—staying committed to our vision while handling life’s responsibilities.
Another challenge has been organically building a like-minded community—people who are also on a journey to become the best versions of themselves. But as we continue to grow and refine our craft, we’ve come to understand that with consistency and passion, that following will come in time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I serve the community full-time as a barber stylist at FreeWill Barber Studio, located on Southwest Freeway in Houston. I take great pride in being a well-rounded barber, offering a range of services including hair cutting, braiding, loc retwists, and even hair coloring from time to time.
But what truly sets me apart isn’t just my skill—it’s the experience I create for my clients. One of the greatest compliments I receive is how I make people feel. My clients don’t just see me as their barber; they feel like family—like a brother or sister. Many have told me it’s easy to open up and talk to me, that they feel accepted from the moment they sit in my chair. You may meet me for the first time, but once we start talking, it’ll feel like we’ve known each other for years.
That’s the kind of environment I’ve built at FreeWill Barber Studio—a space where people don’t just come for a haircut, but for connection, confidence, and community.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The number one goal of the FreeWill Podcast is to create an environment that normalizes and empowers personal growth and self-development while helping each other become the best versions of ourselves.
This was never about making money—it has always been about impact. That’s why it was so easy for us to show up every Friday on Instagram Live, sometimes for an hour or more, even when only two or three people were watching. As long as we could make a positive difference in someone’s life, that was all the payment we needed.
That’s what FreeWill is all about—growth, connection, and pouring into others from the heart.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freewillpodcast_?igsh=MXAxNTQ0cXZ2dDJpcg==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@freewillpodcast?si=BcK2CjWMzIRUIrnj
