Managing Toxic Relationships & Mental Health with Mike & Curt
We had such a fun time talking with Michael Abatantiono and Curtis Woods this week. In case you don't know, they're the father/son duo who've taken over TikTok with people asking “are they really related?”. What's the story? Either way, we're here for it. Listen below as we tackle topics from mental health to their relationships with their moms, then scroll down for takeaways!
WATCH HERE:
LISTEN HERE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Both Michael and Curtis were raised by single moms. In Curtis' case, he had a great relationship with his mother, in part because he was so focused on sports. In fact, Curtis didn't touch alcohol until he was twenty-five! Curtis did face some struggles though with the men his mother dated, some of whom he says weren't good for her. When she started dating women, it was the unspoken rule not to bring up why or how. He just rolled with it and that was that.
Michael, on the other hand, didn't have a positive relationship with his mother until recently. Growing up, he mistreated his mom because of the examples around him, especially from his step-dad, who Michael says he favored. When he became a Christian, he realized the resentment and anger he carried as well as the hardships his mother faced. He sought forgiveness from his mom and owned up to his mistakes. Since then his relationship is better than ever. They talk as adults and he reminds her on the regular not to settle for anyone who doesn't treat her right. That's a good son!
As a kid, Michael saw an abusive relationship first hand between his mother and alcoholic step-father and suffered from PTSD as a result. Michael strongly believes that it's better to do what you have to do to get out of an abusive relationship than stay, believing it's better for the kids. You're not helping your kids by staying and in fact, are most likely doing more harm than good. Michael even goes so far as to say it's better to be homeless than be in an unhealthy or unsafe environment.
Curtis was in a toxic relationship for fourteen years with his partner before realizing it would be healthier for the kids to see their mom and dad happy one-on-one than stay together but be at each other's throats. All the fighting and yelling was taking a toll on Curtis' kids. And with a special needs child (Curtis' youngest has Down Syndrome) it made the thought of separating even harder. Now that he's been through it, he says it was for the best and after a period of adjustment, all the kids are doing great and are happy.
Sometimes, children can have deeper relationships with their divorced parents because they're separate entities.
Curtis says single moms need to focus on one day at a time. It's easier said than done but don't look too far ahead. Just get through today and tackle each day with that same mentality.
Michael and Curtis are clearly having a blast if TikTok gives us any clue. They don't know where all of this will lead but they'll go wherever life takes them. We say, get the vision board going and make those intentions clear because the world wants to hear more from these sweet men!
MORE ABOUT MICHAEL & CURTIS:
Michael Abatantiono and Curtis Woods are the mysterious father/son duo that has taken TikTok by storm with well over a million followers! As for their day jobs, Michael is a life and fitness coach as well as anesthesia tech while Curtis is dad to three younger kids and a senior systems engineer. After battling depression and an addiction to pain meds, Michael started the Strong, Brave, Free foundation to raise awareness for mental health.
Follow Michael on INSTAGRAM for some serious eye candy.
Double your pleasure with Curtis' INSTAGRAM account too.
Catch them together on their YouTube channel and of course, where it all started, TikTok
Find out more information about Michael's foundation, STRONG, BRAVE, FREE