Karen Blackman, known as ‘yoga mama bear’ shares her 21-year experience as a yoga teacher.
Initially, in TV sales and promotions, she transitioned to yoga for a fulfilling life change. Despite early obstacles, including her temper and job-related stress, yoga transformed her perspective. She emphasizes the holistic nature of yoga, focusing on the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and how they helped her manage anger.
She advocates for inclusivity in yoga, ensuring everyone feels seen, regardless of their body type or background.
Karen’s mission extends to making yoga accessible with free and affordable classes, and her ongoing vision is to remain present and impactful. She distinguishes between being an instructor and a true teacher, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and commitment.

Concluding, she urges others not to let anyone kill their dreams, celebrating the 20th anniversary of her yoga community in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nadine James, a mother of teenage daughters and a financed professional with over 20 years in the industry, shares her personal journey of rediscovering her passion for music.

Despite being molded by societal expectations to follow a traditional career path, Nadine found her calling in music, reflecting on her early love for singing and playing steel pan. She discusses the challenges of being a musician in Trinidad and Tobago, where genres like Calypso and Soca dominate, limiting opportunities in other musical styles. Nadine advocates for a broader acceptance and support of diverse music genres and creative arts starting from a young age.

Her goal is to become a world-renowned vocalist, bringing joy and peace through her voice. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing creative talents and urges young aspiring artists to never lose hope, highlighting the essential role creatives played during the COVID-19 pandemic in maintaining mental health and societal well-being.

Reflections on running, the Priority Bus Route, and the state of our nation

I recently ran the Midnight Marathon along the Priority Bus Route (PBR), and it was an experience I’ll never forget—not just for the physical challenge but also for what it revealed about our country’s systems and mindset.

A Midnight Race That Didn’t Start at Midnight

Let’s start with the most symbolic failure: the marathon was scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. Instead, we stood waiting in the darkness, stretching and second-guessing our pre-race fuel, as time ticked on with no explanation. The race finally started around 12:20 a.m.—a full 19 minutes late.

It may not sound like a big deal, but it set the tone. A marathon is about discipline, timing, and trust in the organizers. This late start, without proper communication, reflected a lack of respect for those values—and for the runners who trained and prepared. In that moment, the national habit of “starting late” felt less like culture and more like carelessness.

Support Systems That Disappeared Before the Finish

The late start wasn’t the only lapse. Around 5:15 a.m., the water providers packed up and left. Water bottles were abandoned on tables, and the mileage signs were removed, leaving runners who didn’t have GPS watches to guess how far they’d gone. In marathon terms, that’s a serious safety and performance issue. It signals poor planning and a disregard for those further back in the race—those who need the most support.

The Disappearing Purpose of the PBR

The race took us along the Priority Bus Route—a once-promising symbol of efficient public transport. But running its length showed just how far we’ve fallen from that vision. Today, it’s clear that the PBR functions more like a residential backroad than a transit corridor.

Cars are parked along the route like it’s private property. Many homes have direct access, turning this public resource into a patchwork of personal driveways. The number of crossings, both formal and informal, slows everything down. The government must act—reclaim the PBR for its original purpose, reduce crossings, and enforce regulations. It’s the only way to make mass transit viable again.

The Smell of Neglect

Throughout the route, I was hit with the pungent smell of sewage. Not once, not twice—repeatedly. This is not just unpleasant; it’s unacceptable. It indicates deep failures in our infrastructure. A functioning sewer system is not a luxury. It’s a basic marker of a functioning society.

A Violent Wake-Up Call

In the early morning quiet, I witnessed something I can’t forget: a man beating a woman. Some tried to intervene. He shouted threats at them and continued the abuse. It was jarring and disheartening. This wasn’t just one man’s rage—it was a reflection of a culture that still tolerates gender-based violence. Until we address this nationally, women will remain unsafe in our public spaces.

Squatting Without Structure

As we passed through different communities, the volume of squatter settlements was hard to ignore. People need homes—but what I saw showed a lack of planning and long-term vision. These settlements, while a testament to human resilience, also reveal the state’s failure to manage land, enforce regulations, or support affordable housing.

A Race That Revealed Our Reality

This marathon was more than a physical test. It was a mirror. It showed me:

• We accept too many substandard systems.
• We start late and expect applause for finishing at all.
• We allow public resources to become private property.
• We ignore broken infrastructure and broken people.

If we want a better Trinidad and Tobago, we must demand better. Starting on time. Planning with care. Supporting everyone, not just the front-runners. Respecting public space and one another.

Let this marathon be more than a race. Let it be a reckoning.

#MidnightMarathon #TrinidadAndTobago #PriorityBusRoute #PublicSafety #UrbanPlanning #GenderJustice #StartOnTimeTT #RunForChange

In this interview, Anthony Collymore, a retired school teacher and leader of the Mystery Raiders Midnight Robber band, reflects on his career and contributions. Collymore shares his pride in his teaching career, emphasizing the importance of arts in education alongside traditional academic subjects.

He discusses his transition from teaching to leading the Midnight Robber band, a traditional Carnival performance art. Collymore highlights the challenges and joys of continuing the Midnight Robber tradition, including the band’s creative themes and the intellectual effort required. He also pays tribute to his late friend Brian Honoree, the original Midnight Robber, and discusses the band’s evolution and its future.

Collymore encourages young people, especially those interested in performing arts, to join the band and keep the tradition alive.

Joanne Mark, a bespoke jewelry designer and metal artist, delves into her inspiring journey from studying psychology to crafting unique, heirloom-quality pieces of jewelry.

She highlights the personal relationships and the joy of making others happy as her main sources of inspiration. Joanne emphasizes the importance of combining passion with practicality, encouraging others to pursue their dreams while also maintaining practical responsibilities.

She recounts her start in jewelry making after repairing a broken necklace in university, leading to a successful career selling her creations. Joanne also discusses the importance of ongoing learning and specialization, acquiring technical skills at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She underscores a client-focused approach in her work, involving deep conversations and approvals throughout the design process.

Joanne advocates for an education system that recognizes different learning styles and provides tailored guidance. Ultimately, she urges aspiring creatives to hone their craft, ensure high quality, and infuse passion into everything they do.

In this episode, we dive into the diverse world of Colin Santana, a risk manager by profession and a storyteller at heart. Colin shares his journey from a financial analyst and economist to a successful blog writer, reflecting on his passion for storytelling and creativity. He discusses the evolution of his blog, his unexpected venture into photography, and his thoughts on the education system’s role in shaping his career. Colin emphasizes the importance of being open to new experiences and balancing analytical skills with creativity. Join us as we explore the many facets of Colin’s life and his advice for young aspiring writers.