Tony Twomey’s journey is anything but conventional. Standing at six feet tall, he is a former horse jockey, a former construction laborer, and a man who spent his early adult years unable to read or write. Today, he serves as the President of American Power & Gas, leading an enterprise sales organization of over 400 people and raising millions for life-changing philanthropic causes.
His story is a masterclass in resilience, relentless work ethic, and the power of human connection. On a recent episode of the podcast, Tony sat down to share how he transformed extreme adversity into an extraordinary life of leadership and service.
Early Grit on the Racetrack
Growing up on a farm in Queensland, Australia, Tony was fascinated by horses from a very early age. By the time he was eight or nine years old, he was already putting up stirrups and riding over horse necks like a professional jockey.
At just 13, Tony left formal schooling behind. He struck a deal with his mother to work at local breaking-in stables, waking up at 4:00 AM every morning and putting in 12-hour days. “The work ethic, the responsibility, the commitment that it instilled in me at 13 years of age was a game changer for me,” Tony reflects.
He went on to race thoroughbreds in bush districts, winning six races including a “double”—riding two winners in a single day. However, a sudden growth spurt brought his jockeying career to a fast halt at age 18. After starving himself for four days to make weight, he gave in to temptation, ate a ribeye steak, and weighed in over the limit. “That was my last day riding,” he laughs.
Shoveling Concrete and Rising Through Construction
With his racing days behind him, Tony entered heavy civil construction, shoveling concrete on massive mining projects. It was grueling physical labor, but Tony’s work ethic quickly set him apart from everyone else on the job site.
“There’s one thing I’ve always prided myself in: I’m gonna outwork anyone around me,” Tony says. His dedication caught the attention of his mentor, a project superintendent named Robbo, who saw raw potential in the young laborer.
When offered a promotion to foreman at age 20, Tony initially refused because he was completely illiterate and couldn’t write daily reports or safety logs. His boss refused to let that stop him, telling him, “I can hire an engineer. I can’t hire your drive”. With engineers assisting him with paperwork, Tony stepped into leadership.
Facing Tragedy and Searching for a New Path
Despite his professional success in construction, Tony was carrying personal pain. Years earlier, after waking up in a hospital following a violent incident in his youth, he had vowed to change his life, realizing, “This isn’t the life I signed up for”.
He later brought his younger brother Matty to live with him in Sydney, helping him break free from drug addiction and landing him a job in construction. The two brothers became best friends and planned to build their own construction business together.
Tragedy struck when Matty was killed in a devastating wall collapse on a job site. Overwhelmed by grief, guilt, and severe anxiety whenever he walked onto a job site, Tony stepped down from running crews to drive excavators inside enclosed cabs.
Knowing he needed a complete change of direction, Tony decided to pursue a career in sales. He put on a cheap suit after long shifts on job sites and attended dozens of corporate interviews in Sydney, even though he still couldn’t read or write.
Finding Freedom and Tools for Living Through Scientology
At age 25, when searching for a way to learn how to read and write, a conversation with his brother introduced him to Scientology and its specialized study technology. Intrigued by the possibility of breaking through his learning barriers, Tony traveled to Clearwater, Florida, to seek out the best training available.
He enrolled in the “Success Through Communication” course. Though it took him longer than average, the course fully changed how he understood human interaction. He learned the ARC triangle—Affinity, Reality, and Communication—which together equal Understanding. “That triangle took me from a construction worker that couldn’t read and write… into sales,” Tony shares.
Years later, back at the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Tony addressed and overcame the study barriers he had long carried. Working with tutors using Applied Scholastics, he relearned the alphabet and phonics from the ground up, unlocking a lifelong ability to study and master complex subjects.
Reflecting on his experience, Tony describes Scientology as “the tech of living” and “the tools of life.” He notes, “It is freedom to live. It is freedom to be. It is freedom to do, and it is freedom to have… It’s taken me to places and experiences beyond my wildest dreams. That’s Scientology, because I found me.”
Leading with Purpose and Flowing Power to Others
Armed with newfound communication skills and self-belief, Tony conquered cold-calling, built a thriving sales career, and eventually rose to become the President of American Power & Gas, overseeing a massive team.
Beyond executive leadership, Tony has dedicated decades to high-impact fundraising and philanthropy. Whether rallying construction workers to raise $25,000 in a single evening for a sick child’s medical equipment or supporting community humanitarian efforts, Tony views fundraising through the lens of purpose.
“It’s never about the money,” Tony explains. “The purpose isn’t the money. The purpose is: what are the actions, what is it changing, who am I helping?”
For Tony, living a meaningful life is about taking action, reaching out to lift others up, and constantly paying support forward. As he summarizes his life’s journey: “The more people I’ve helped in life, the better my life has become.”
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