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Toya Rushing
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
That sounds nice.
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Toya Rushing
You stand up when you talk to the Queen.
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Toya Rushing
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That's all that matters to me.
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Toya Rushing
it's me again.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
We prepped. Oh wow.
Toya Rushing
Oh wow. Oh wow. It's the time for empowerment and I've got a message for you. You gotta think about sexual health no matter what, when, or with who. Yeah.
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Toya Rushing
To all you lovers out there, ain't no judgment. This is your cue.
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Toya Rushing
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
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Toya Rushing
carefortheculture.com to learn more.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Welcome to Keep It Positive Sweetie, the place where we Heal, grow and learn together. Toya and Red Rushing have built something people don't just admire, they connect to it. Whether through marriage, business, reality television or social media, they've shown what it looks like to love each other publicly, intentionally and without apology. This conversation is about modern black love, fatherhood, visibility, and building a life together while the world is watching. Kids, Stanley, please give a very warm welcome to the Rushings. The Rushings have built lives. People have watched, evolve publicly for years through business, family, reality, television, entrepreneurship, and now opening even more of their everyday lives through their content. But beyond all of that, what really stands out is the way Toya and Reg show up for each other. As husband and wife, parents, business partners and leaders, they've created a relationship rooted in friendship, honesty and growth. This conversation is about marriage, fatherhood, protecting your peace, and what it really takes to build together while the world is watching. Kiss Henley. Please give a very warm welcome to my dear friends, the Rushings. Hey, y'.
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All.
Toya Rushing
Hey, boo.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
We finally got y' all on here.
Red Rushing
What's up, sis? What's up? Finally made it. Finally made it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Finally made it. How are y' all doing?
Toya Rushing
We're doing great.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Y' all look good. Everybody's talking about how good y' all look as a unit.
Red Rushing
Appreciate it. Thank you. She dressed me. She laid it out. Yeah, she laid it out.
Toya Rushing
You got it. You know, you'd be having to help them men out.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Listen, help. Listen. You did a great job. Got them together.
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Sis.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I appreciate it. So we're gonna play a quick game to get started. And the game is called Whose Idea Was It?
Toya Rushing
Okay.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
So I'm gonna ask questions. You just point to who's. Who would definitely be the person that this would apply to.
Toya Rushing
Okay.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
The first one is, let's film content for this. Who apologizes first? That's good. Okay.
Toya Rushing
I gotta get better.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's good. Who starts an argument and then acts confused? Who's more likely to say, we good? When they're definitely not good?
Toya Rushing
Yes.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Who's stricter with the kids?
Toya Rushing
This one let the kids just do
Crystal Renee Hazlett
what most dads do. They be like, don't tell your mama.
Toya Rushing
Go, Red.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Who spends more money? Who's more likely to check on everybody else before checking on themselves?
Toya Rushing
Well, I guess that's kind of both of us, in a way.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Who's more likely to randomly start a deep conversation late at night?
Toya Rushing
That is me, for sure. Ripley. I gotta get up at 5:00'.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Clock. Yeah. Thank y' all so much. That was good. I actually love, like, seeing who each other thinks is the person that does certain things. Seventh grade. You guys have done such a good job for years keeping your lives private, and now all of a sudden, you guys are putting your life out there. We've seen your life toya play out for years. Years on tv. Red, I've known you for years, and you've always worked behind the scenes. You've worked for. When I knew you worked with NBA players making sure their businesses and day to day were running right. And you were always the guy behind latoya. You've always been in front. So what made you guys decide now is the time we want to put our life out there more?
Toya Rushing
I guess, like, it came about with us just doing videos and just trying different things or whatever, and red coming out of his shadow more. So him just being a team player really, like, you know, I'm like, okay, B, let's do this. And then some stuff. He'd be like, okay, we could do that. He started getting more and more comfortable. Thank you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I be cracking up because I'm like,
Toya Rushing
this is so real. He just started getting more comfortable. When I saw he was on board or whatever. I'm like, okay. I don't want to force him or push him to do anything, you know? So when he came on board, I was like, let's do it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that. So I remember when y' all first met, he was keeping it a big secret.
Toya Rushing
Oh, yes. We both were.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Listen. I was like, who is it?
Toya Rushing
I d. Sis.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I'm like, listen.
Toya Rushing
It was one of them. You know how you go on a date with somebody and you post the food and not the man, and you post the place and not the man? That was me and him. We would go all kind of dates, go all kind of places and never post each other. And then it's like I pop up pregnant. Everybody, like, what? But, you know, we were feeling, you know, getting to know each other for real and enjoying each other in private.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, let's talk about the importance of that. Because I think a lot of people now, especially in the social media world, we're so quick to push our relationships out there before we actually cultivate and build that friendship. What was the importance of keeping it
Toya Rushing
sacred for me, you know, I had just gone through a divorce, and I spent a lot of time trying to, like, become whole, you know, like myself or whatever. And when I met Red, we were really good friends. Like, we talked a lot. It was. He was something different. We was just getting to know each other and enjoying each other's company, right? And I just felt like that ain't something I want to share with the world. Like, I want to enjoy this moment, you know, with us getting to know each other. And it was so much better because we developed a friendship. You know, he was there for me during a very rough patch in my life. And our relationship got stronger in that period. And when we finally did, you know, go public or whatever, we were at a place where we was already, like, strong. Like, you know, so it really didn't matter.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, I love that. Ray, what was it like for you coming into this relationship? And you were a private person as well. Like, a lot of people didn't know what you did. And I guess that was because of the people you worked with. You knew how to, like, keep the main thing. The main thing. What was it like coming into this relationship and really feeling toya? But then she's like, I don't want. I don't want people to know we talking. Like, was there a moment where you were like, what you mean, girl? I'm ready to tell the world.
Red Rushing
Well, now you. You know. You know me, and you knew me before all this. It was kind of different. Like, I was telling her, like, chill, shawty. You know what I'm saying?
Toya Rushing
Oh, my God.
Red Rushing
Like, you know, I was like, yo, calm down.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I know. You know, we lied.
Toya Rushing
That part is crazy.
Red Rushing
Just like she said, we became real close, and it was just like, let
Toya Rushing
me just get this glitter off you. Cause it's just.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's a good woman.
Red Rushing
It was just. I wasn't in a rush, you know? I wasn't in a rush at all. Like, I didn't mind just staying back. Cause I didn't really want to be out there. I didn't want to be. I was enjoying her. And then when we did come out and, you know, the TV and different things like that, I knew what I was signing up for, you know, So I had to adjust and do that. But I really didn't care. Anything I cared about is protecting her. Protecting her image and different things like that. Cause I. You know, me, I don't care. I don't care about none of you.
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Toya Rushing
I think that's what kind of drew. Drew me to him. Because he was just so different and so, like, nonchalant and cool. You know, some men just be thirsty. Yeah. It's like, relax. Like, Ray was like. Like, damn. It was one of them. You know how women love a challenge. And it's like you. You know, a person like, you and they feeling you, but it's like, they just so cool. It looks too cool. Yeah. I'm like, well, you a little too cool. But then it just started.
Red Rushing
I didn't even realize. Like, it didn't really dawn on me until some people said something about it. Like her posting. You might see my arm or you might see this, but I ain't even pay that. I ain't even paying attention. You know what I'm saying? Like, it didn't even really. It really didn't matter to me. And I wasn't in a rush to be like, yo, this is who I'm with, or anything like that. Like, my people knew. Cause she would come around, she would doing different things like that, but I ain't really care. But when we did, I mean, it was cool. I knew what I was signing up for and, like, what you were saying about the content stuff and different things we doing with that. I think it's another stage for us as far as working together and finding something that's fun. Yeah, like, it's fun.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love it.
Red Rushing
You know what I'm saying? It's actually fun. Like, we be doing stuff. Like, y' all see it and y' all laugh. But, like, we probably shot it and was dying laughing, like. You know what I'm saying? Like, we in there, like, laugh. We looking back at it just, like, crying, laughing, like, this is it. So I think the whole new content thing. We just started a YouTube series with couples times where we go out with couples, do an activity or something.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Y' all find me a man so I can come out with y' all. See fun.
Red Rushing
Yeah. So I think it's just new things and just, you know.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay.
Toya Rushing
And most importantly, it's celebrating love, because you hear so many negative things about love and people finding a person and not understanding that, like, stop looking at other people in their situation. Embrace what you have and embrace your person and. And date. It's okay to, like, date and have fun. So we bring other couples along and we do fun date activities with other couples. And it just be just a breath of fresh air, like, to hear them talk about each other in a. They all be like, I didn't know you felt that way. Like, it'd just be the sweetest thing. So that's something we really enjoy doing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And I'm sure that's really good for them as well. I love that. Okay. We got a new YouTube show that I can see turning into a show.
Toya Rushing
Couple signs.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes. I love that. That's amazing. Red, you Talk about. I knew what I was getting into. A lot of people, even for me, like, dating men know what they're getting into, but when they get into it, then they're like, oh, God. Like, I didn't know it was all this. Was there ever a moment that you had to really adjust to Toya's life? Cause Toya, this has been your life since you was a kid, basically. You know. You know, you have been exposed to so much in the entertainment industry at a very young age. Was there a moment where now you're like, in her world where you were like, okay, I knew what I was signing up for, but this is a lot. Nah, really, you was like, I'm ready.
Red Rushing
Because I understood the business from working with top athletes and stuff like that. So I know the business. I know it come with it. So I've seen it. So when I say I'm signing up for it, I know what I'm signing up for. Like, I knew exactly when I came into. When she came into my life and we started dating, it was nothing I seen that I haven't seen before. Yeah, you know, I just wasn't dealing with it. I wasn't in a relationship like that. But, you know. Yeah, I've seen it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. No, I've experienced it firsthand where it's like, you knew what this was.
Toya Rushing
Exactly.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I've been living this life.
Toya Rushing
Yeah, I bet we ever had that. When you not understand in my life or you. Because Red always was the type of person. You know that because you know him, he always played the back, and he's okay with playing the back to this date. Like, he'll push you to shine, and he's okay with just being there. Like, he is never was. I want to be seen. I want to. Like, that's why all of your video. No, he don't care. You got to pull him. Like, come on, Ray, let's do this. But he just so chill.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that. What is one thing that you think is misunderstood about relationships going more public?
Toya Rushing
I think. I think the. The comparing thing. I think people, like, love to compare their situations to other people and wanting people to, like, be somebody that they're not instead of just, this is the person you're with. Like, you either gonna make this work and. Or you gonna move on. You can't change them to be who you want them to be because they are who they are.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right.
Toya Rushing
So I think that's one thing that messes up a lot of relationships or whatever and, like, the forcing to go public so fast. It just. It just gives me. I just want to show I got a man.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
Like, you know, without even knowing a person, it'd be a couple of weeks later, a month later. Why did I do that?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right.
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Right.
Red Rushing
I think. I think it's the Internet. I think people don't realize the Internet is so judgmental. And we don't.
Toya Rushing
That part.
Red Rushing
We don't, man. We don't realize. I mean, people don't realize that, and they search for validation and acceptance. So even if you having issues in your relationship, you're so scared of what the Internet go say. So once people put the Internet in their business, they worried about this and worried about that, because everybody had problems. Everybody had problems. Like, if you sit down and talk to 10 couples out of eight or nine of those couples, y' all dealing with or have dealt with the same thing, but we are so caught up into, oh, the Internet go look like this. I gotta look like that, and I gotta look like that. But it's just, you know, this what it is.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. No, that Internet is. It's a monster. It is. I feel like when we were growing up, it was. If we didn't have all that, you know, so it was writing letters, and, like, all you really talked to was your friends. Your friends knew, your family knew, but the world didn't know. I feel like now we live in an age where there's the possibility that the entire world could know your business based on what you put out there. What are things that you two do to protect your piece and the parts of your life that you do want to keep private?
Toya Rushing
I feel like everything is not for everybody. Yeah, that's, you know, like, that's a word. You know, you get to these people get to these. This place where they feel like, okay, I'm going through this. I want to share this. And it. And it be something that backfires, like, eventually, like, it'll backfire on them for sure. Everything is not for everybody to know. When we going through stuff, like, we, like every other couple, our relationship is not perfect. We go through things just like everybody else, but it's like being able to communicate with your person, talk about it. You know what I'm saying? Instead of, like, going tell all of your friends, putting your business out on the Internet, like, what is that gonna do for you?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes.
Toya Rushing
Like that. I don't understand that whole era of that. But, like, we believe in, like, if we have issues or problems, like talking to each other, it's important to have a village. That's true. But Our parents, you know, his mom, like, you know, people that are not people that's going to drag us, you know, like, in the Internet, like, girl.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And I've even learned, like, even with family, you can't tell them everything. The way we get over stuff, they
Toya Rushing
be like, I'm holding on to it, right?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I ain't letting it go.
Toya Rushing
I don't like him. Yeah, for real. I ain't going to lie. I be guilty of that with my daughter, right. She tell me stuff about her, man. I be like, I don't know. Can't tell everything. I love that business to yourself. And work it out in your house.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
In your house. That's it right there. You guys got married in 2022, going on four years. I remember because you all got married right around my birthday. You couldn't make it to my 40th.
Knix Leak Proof Underwear Announcer
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Because y' all were Cabo.
Toya Rushing
Cabo.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Y' all were in Cabo getting married. And, yeah, we're gonna try to make it, but it was just crazy. But what has it been like in these four years? Because, like, it's one thing to date, and then you, like, you're. You're blending families, you're blending businesses and so many different things. What has that journey been like for the two of you?
Toya Rushing
Marriage is a lot of work, you know, because it's. It's two people trying to become one, you know, operate as one. Like, you gotta respect this person. You gotta move, you know, a certain way. So it does require a lot of work and respecting each other and just being on one accord. I think over the years, like, with me and Red, we. We. In the beginning, we built a friendship. So even if we do have problems or go through things, like, it's still a friend there. Like, some days I might not like you, but I love you. And that's my friend. I gotta tell my friend. I gotta talk to my friend. So I feel like that's one thing in a marriage and a relationship that's so important. And I can't stress that enough, is becoming friends, like, building that friendship with your partner to where, like, I gotta tell them that's my person. Like, at night, we still gonna find a way to talk. Yeah, but I was. What I was trying to say, over the years, we, you know, we didn't had our ups and downs trying to, like, learn how to move as one.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
Because that's. That's work. When you. When you used to being your own, you know, doing your own thing and moving, never having to really answer to Nobody. And then you operate in this way. But learning to come together and operate as one is work.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Red Rushing
But I mean, I think one of the biggest things with us, and I think both of us had kind of an issue with it that we all got better with was. And it's crazy. I saw it today when I was researching. We were so quick to correct each other instead of focusing on connecting.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Wow. Oh, that's good. Like connect instead of correct.
Red Rushing
It was all like, for me, I speak for me. I'm real big on. If I don't understand something. I debate with you because I want you to show me where you coming from.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, you know, crazy.
Red Rushing
I want you to show me where you coming from. But over the years with therapy, and I get it from. I used to have a group of very successful guys and we always talk and it's always debates, debates. And we call the iron sharper and iron. Like, we're debating about this. We debating about this. But you're showing me. You showing me where you coming from and you understand it and you articulating that. And then over with therapy, I had to figure out what my people, with my village and stuff like that is not necessarily always good because they not gonna get it. And instead of debating and instead of trying to correct. All right, you got it. How can we connect and how can we do that? And I think that was one of the things that we fought with and got better over the years.
Toya Rushing
I was like, why do you have to debate everything that I'm saying? It's not like this. But over time, like he said with therapy and everything, it's definitely helped. Like now I noticed he don't do that like that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
So what made you want to go to therapy? Or was this a choice you made in your own words? It's a collective decision. Decision where you was like, yeah, I need to.
Red Rushing
I've been going to therapy since 12.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Wow, that's amazing.
Toya Rushing
He kind of got me into cuz at first, you know, it's like, very cliche. I need a therapist, so I want to go see my Whatever. But he's been doing it since I met him.
Red Rushing
Yeah, I go because, like you just spoke on earlier, I don't tell my friends and family stuff, especially about my relationship.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Red Rushing
Like, I don't. I don't. I don't do that. Like, my friends can't tell you. Not one of my friends can tell you our deepest problem or anything like that surface level. Like, they know what I'm going through with business, family or whatever. But if it's dealing with me and my wife, they can't tell.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Come on.
Red Rushing
My wife, they can't tell you what I'm. They can't tell you that. So what I do, I go to therapy and I have an unbiased voice that I can talk to and unload and like some therapy sessions, I kid you not, some therapy sessions, my therapist say one, say two words, go and then the last word stop. In between. Then all I do is talk.
Toya Rushing
Wow.
Red Rushing
I just unload. And they just dare to listen. They might not. He might not say nothing. Well, he won't say nothing. In between. He won't come back, he won't say nothing. I just sit there and just unload.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's good.
Red Rushing
So I don't do the family and friends. I don't do the family and friends thing like that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that. And I think more men need to hear that because a lot of times guys talk about everything with their friends and a lot of times men aren't the best people to take advice from, you know. So I love that you protect that and you talk to someone that is a trusted therapist that you can unleash with and let it out. But then also know that you have a soft landing place with your wife to say, okay, these are the things that I wanna address, you know.
Red Rushing
And I used to be like that. I used to always have that in me. But it's really, I really keen in on it now. But like even dealing with athletes and stuff like that, my job when I work, like I didn't tell my friends cause they used to be, some of them just, they ain't got em all. Now they feel away about this person and no telling what that go turn into and different things like that. So I've been learned. But now with your partner, with your wife, like I just don't. I can't do that.
Toya Rushing
Yeah, I love that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Talking about exactly. It's so important. And then you said that he's the one that got you going to therapy. How has that shifted your mindset on things?
Toya Rushing
It's helped me a lot because I, you know, from my background, when I come through, I should have been doing it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
You know, so it helped me. That was like one of my biggest changes in life. Like it just made me see things from a totally different perspective.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that.
Toya Rushing
Just handle things different. So I thank him for that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And thank y' all for sharing because I think the more that we talk about it, especially people, you two are people that people look up to. So the more we talk about it, it makes people be like, oh, there's nothing wrong with me. I can go talk to somebody. This is actually okay.
Toya Rushing
It's like so important to have a therapist.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It really is.
Toya Rushing
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
That sounds nice.
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Toya Rushing
You stand up when you talk to the queen.
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Toya Rushing
comes at you fast whether you ready for it or not.
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
Unbelievable new home.
Red Rushing
Welcome to paradise.
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, you guys talk about partnership. What has it been like? You've been really big into fitness. I know you work out with him. Like, I love the Weight no More that you all have going on. You're opening up a new gym. What has that been like? Really building partnerships together. Together. Because you've had your business with hair care and entrepreneurship, all the things that you've done in TV and film. What has it been like merging those worlds together?
Toya Rushing
It's totally different because fitness is definitely something like different for me. And that was the first business that we started together, like doing Weight no More. But, you know, I allow him to lead and come on wherever I can jump in to help. Like, I'm always there to help. But that's his baby and I'm just supporting, you know, the supportive wife.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that. Where did Wait no More come from, Red? Or should I call you Robert? Which would be.
Toya Rushing
It depends on what.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Address me as Mr. Rushing.
Red Rushing
It came from the quick story shoot around in Miami. Me and my clients sitting down on Brickell eating pizza. Kid come up, look, the kid is overweight, asked for a picture. He was like, okay, cool. The kid walk off. He was so frustrated. Why the parents let the kid get that big, this, that boom, boom, boom. And seeing his frustration, I said, bro, why don't you do something about it? He like, how can I? I said, let's do Fighting obesity for Kids. And so get back to Atlanta. I get with a PR team, I get with management, we have a meeting, we go do a day camp for kids. Long story short, that didn't work out. After that, I had two more clients I tried to pitch the idea to. Nobody would bite on it. And my friend introduced me. My friend told me to come to, invited me to a 5k, went to the 5k. I didn't run, but I just went and seeing the turnout, seeing the turn it was in the black community and everything, and it just hit me like I'm laying every night, I'm laying beside the perfect person that can help propel this fighting obesity thing. And I asked her, I said, let's do a 5K. She was like, I'm not running no five miles.
Toya Rushing
That's.
Red Rushing
And I like, no, it's three.
Toya Rushing
At the time I was like, three, five, five thousand.
Red Rushing
At that point. We did our first 5K, Old Fourth Ward Park. We did our first 5K. We had over 500 people come out. And the next year we did seven different cities. The following year we had a 12 city tour. Set up, but Covid hit. We had sponsorships, everything behind it, but Covid hit. And then after that, just getting to my fitness, going through. My dad had prostate, the cancer. So just going through that. That's when I got super serious about it and then started training and just touching people, man. And I just gained a real passion for it, you know, I just gained a real passion for it and I just stuck with it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Then you created products from that. Like, it turned into a full fledged business.
Jacob Goldstein (Odoo Announcer)
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's amazing. My favorite part about that story is I realized I was laying next to the person that can help me propel this.
Red Rushing
Yeah, absolutely.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And a lot of times I feel like that's in a lot of our situations where it's the people around us that we overlook. Where it's like it was in my face the whole time. I got what I need. You have everything you need, but you just don't see it at the moment. I love that.
Red Rushing
Yeah. I mean, I'm never naive to who I'm with. I've never been that person. I'm never naive to who I'm with and what she have built over the years.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Red Rushing
Who she is, like, my wife is highly respected. Like, I. Wherever I go, you know, is. Oh, that's toya husband. First it was toya baby that. Well, now, now I'm gonna tell you this now it's Rain daddy. Like, they'd be like, oh, that's Rain daddy.
Toya Rushing
Oh, yeah.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
You know. Yeah.
Red Rushing
But I've never been. I never been naive to that point, you know, I never been naive to, you know, who I'm with.
Toya Rushing
And some men get offended by that. They be like, so your husband, you know.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Hell yeah.
Toya Rushing
You know.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Red Rushing
Yeah. So I. I never been naive.
Toya Rushing
I went from Reginae's mom to Rain's mom.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So. Yeah. And you will forever be that. My parents are still. Oh, you're Crystal and Travis's mom and dad. Like, they've completely lost their identity. They're like we're needing Jerry.
Toya Rushing
I love it though.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes. I'm sure it's a beautiful badge of honor to wear. Let's talk about blending the families. You all have a beautiful daughter together. But you had children before. What is. What was that like bringing your families together?
Toya Rushing
Bringing our families together. You know, we very family oriented people like he red come from his mom and dad. When I tell you I. I just. They are sent from heaven. Truly 101. His parents. Our worlds are so different, you know, because he come from like a very, like, loving family. And mine a little bit, was dysfunctional, you know? So, like, just seeing how him and his family operating, how his parents is or whatever it was. It was so natural, like, because it was all love there. Like, they were all. I just came in and they embraced me.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that, you know, from.
Toya Rushing
From the beginning or whatever. And we. That's my babies. Just like, that's his babies. Like, we do everything together, whatever. But it was easy because they already had that built in. And then as we got stronger or whatever, he introduced me to his kids and they all loved me.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Of course they do. Yes.
Red Rushing
And she made. And credit to her, too. She made it real easy for. You know what I'm saying? She made it real easy for me with the kids and different things like that. And then on the other hand, Reginae, it was nothing but love from the jump.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right.
Red Rushing
You know what I'm saying? And we always had that, yo, I'm never trying to be your dad. I'm here for you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes.
Red Rushing
You know what I'm saying? Regardless of what I gotta do, I'm here for you. But, you know, so it wasn't never a bad, you know, dynamic or anything,
Toya Rushing
because at the end of the day, it's about the kids, you know, like, we want to make sure that the kids are good, the kids are comfortable, for sure. When. Especially when somebody new, newest coming into the picture, you know, you want to meet their parents, you want to make sure that things are done the right way. Because it gets messy when you're blending a family and, you know, you're the person, you blend. The family would have, like, other kids.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, no, for sure.
Toya Rushing
You know, it's just a respect thing. And then with me, I try not to make it difficult because I don't. I mean, I don't want to be added with y'.
Knix Leak Proof Underwear Announcer
All.
Toya Rushing
I want to be. We're. We're one big family, you know?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
All love.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that you talk about the. The different backgrounds of your family and how his family is totally different than yours.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
Yes.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Were there certain things that you had to unlearn when it came to family because you were used to maybe your family in a certain way. And he was like, no, we got to do it this way.
Toya Rushing
Yeah. I mean, things that I had to unlearn. I would say what had to unlearn.
Red Rushing
I don't think necessarily unlearn, but just take that wall down.
Toya Rushing
Oh, yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You had a big wall.
Red Rushing
One thing about Toya. One thing about Toya. She was from the trauma. She went through Toya Was so guarded. She was so guarded and so, so guarded and so scared. She feared. She was very fearful. You know what I'm saying? Not trying to go back. Not trying to go back. Not trying to deal with what she dealt with. She was so guarded. I made it here. I think I heard LeBron say that one time, and it remind me of her, like, not going back to where I was. So she just had a wall up and just had to knock that down. And just like, yo, I'm here for you. Like, we can take on the whole world together. Like, it ain't no going back and forth, forth. Regardless of what we go through. We can get through that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Red Rushing
You know what I'm saying?
Toya Rushing
It took a minute to get. Because after being heard and just going through everything I went through as a kid and just my trauma, so. But I ain't gonna lie.
Red Rushing
He.
Toya Rushing
Red got over there. Well, I was like. It took me a minute to kind of, you know, just. Just let it down, let the guard down. I don't know. Even with a kid, like, after I had rain. Are you serious? Yes.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Oh, wow. You still, like, guarded. Wow.
Red Rushing
I don't know what she'll do without me. She was a wreck.
Toya Rushing
Not.
Red Rushing
I was a rape.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Why are you talking. My daddy.
Toya Rushing
Tell him. Don't, please, girl. He just stay.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
He up.
Red Rushing
No, but honestly, like, that's. And just thinking about it now, like, that's really something she dealt with. And it's a test of where she. And I think that's, you know, you never seen me with a celebrity girl or anything like that. You've never seen that. And the thing that brought me and her close is just seeing everything she came. Cause I saw Antonia. You know what I'm saying?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Come on.
Red Rushing
I saw Antonia. Everybody was looking at Toya and just seeing everything she fought through, everything she went through. Like, I think it just like, yo, I like her. You know what I'm saying? I like her. And it's just that, you know, it's a test of what she have overcame over the years. Like just being that center point of her family, everything being blamed for everything, just going through this. And nobody had that idea, but at the end of the day, I'm the one there where when she's crying, when she need comfort, when she need this, but the Internet, seeing something else, but this is a real person going through real stuff, trying to heal everybody she
Crystal Renee Hazlett
loved and heal herself in real time in front of everybody. That's a lot.
Toya Rushing
It was.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's a lot. If you don't mind, like, share with us what was a breaking point in that moment where you were like, I feel like I'm finally overcoming this. I know you talked about it. Even after rain, you still had that wall up. I can't imagine. We've heard stories of what you went through, but I can't imagine what that's like in real time, living it out in public and trying to really heal while healing your family. What was that breaking point for you?
Toya Rushing
For me, it was like I was. I was. I started to see, like, what I was, like, see myself, like, toy, this is not okay. Like, you. You literally trying to save everybody, and you're losing in you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Wow.
Toya Rushing
So it was one of the moments where I had to get back to me, like, and my family that I'm creating.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
Because I spent so much time, like, trying to, I don't know, pour into everybody else and everything else, and I'm like, I have a beautiful family here. My kids watching me hurt. They watching me go through things over and over again. It's like a cycle just constantly being repeated. And I say, it's time for me to make a.
Kohler Ambassador
A change.
Toya Rushing
And I told myself that I was gonna change. I'm not doing this no more. I'm gonna go to therapy, you know, get some help. My husband was right there, you know, by my side or whatever, and I got through it. And now today, I can honestly say totally different person. I have that I don't give up attitude. It's about me and mine. I love, like, the family I'm creating. I just can't go back with. With that. I just don't like the way it made me feel.
Red Rushing
Took about two years.
Toya Rushing
It really did. It took about two years.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
But kudos to you for, like, you know what I'm saying? Really fighting for that and fighting for love. Because some people, like, give up so quick. I feel like we are in this microwave society where we want it, we want it now, but to have a partner that will stick beside you and somebody who sees you, you know, that's the biggest part. He saw you not the Toya that the world sees. So that's beautiful.
Toya Rushing
I saw seeing my kids, like, me teaching take, like, oh, it was. I don't ever want to go back to that girl.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
Just my kids just seeing me just so hurt all the time, like, feeling defeated.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
Like, Ray was like, yo, like, you know, I'm looking at my husband watching this and my kids watching this. It's like, toy, it's time for you to focus on you baby girl.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And you. I've watched your show and seeing like even the sit downs with your family and that sometimes those are the biggest fights. I was like, my girl is baby. You was. I was like, woo. It was a lot. And what people expect, the expectations and getting over like what people expect from you and it's just like this. I just. You owe this to me. Energy, you know, and the fact that you were able to get over that, I love that.
Toya Rushing
Yes. Feels amazing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I did want to ask you, going from what we can say, a toxic relationship to finally being loved properly, what does that feel like? If you want to.
Toya Rushing
It feels red.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Oof.
Toya Rushing
Like it feels very safe to just know you with someone who truly love you, who appreciate you, who make you feel seen, who make you feel heard and who make you feel safe. Because as women that's really what we want, you know, and nothing is perfect and no one is perfect. We have our disagreements and things we don't see eye to eye with. But I just still feel like that's my person no matter what.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
You know, I feel like I found my person, somebody I could build with, grow with, get old with. Like the family I always wanted and prayed for. Like the things that we do. I remember years ago I used to literally pray for these moments of just having a family and, and just pouring into my kids and showing them all this love and being able to have some. A partner that's doing life with me like a present father, you know, like, it's just, it just feels amazing, honestly.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
How does it make you feel red to hear that?
Red Rushing
Great. Absolutely great. Because that's at this point in my life, that's what I always been a family man. But as you as, you know, just traveling, the different crews I'm with, working with my friends and different things like that, they had a big place in my life, you know what I'm saying? Moving around had a big place in my life. Now the biggest place in my life is my family. So I'm working all week. It's a whole different switch. I'm working all week and I'm looking forward to, forward to the, the weekends to chill with my wife. To chill. And like I really feel like we are out of the city, we're in the middle of nowhere and it just feels so good coming home.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that. Let me tell you, he just said a word because I've heard so many husbands say, like when I get home, I just need to sit in the car because I don't even want to Walk in the house to say, it feels so good to go home.
Red Rushing
It just feels so good.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
A lot of people don't have that. That's not their revelation.
Red Rushing
It feels so good to come home. And I tell myself every.
Toya Rushing
Wow.
Red Rushing
Every single day. How blessed I am. Like, every single day I tell myself. And my first thing I do in the shower, I have a talk with God and I just say thank you and just be grateful for my life. Absolutely. No matter what.
Toya Rushing
Used to say all the time. Like, he used to talk about peace. Like, the number one thing in life for me is peace. And I used to be literally looking at him like crazy with the side eye fast forward. Because I was younger and, and, and. And my mind was just at a different place back then. It was for. I just want to travel. I just want to do this. I want to do this. I want to. I was just at a different place in my life. I was not where I am today when I tell you he said a word. Because that is literally what I live for.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Peace.
Toya Rushing
The most. That's the best thing you could ever have is a peace of mind. Just be at peace. And I feel like that's where our life is right now. We block out all the chaos and the crazy stuff. Like, I didn't cut ties with people that I just. I can't. I don't even talk. It's people I ain't talked to in like two years. Family.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Wow.
Toya Rushing
Like, I had to just let it go because it's. It does not bring peace in my life. And if it don't bring peace in my life, you gotta go. I don't care who you are.
Red Rushing
And that's how I am.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
I'm.
Red Rushing
I'm. I'm like that too. It's just like, I do. It's people that I do genuinely miss.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Red Rushing
Like, I miss them.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
Yeah.
Red Rushing
I miss the relationship we had. I miss them. But I'm so cool with it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I miss you, but stay where you are.
Paramount Plus Announcer
I'm so.
Red Rushing
Yo, I am so cool with it.
Toya Rushing
But I'm cool.
Red Rushing
I am so cool with it. It's fine. Like, yo, I wish you the best. I wish you the best. But I am so. I am so. I'm a thousand percent cool with it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I'm cool with you on that. No, and I think that's okay. You know, that's life. That's evolution.
Red Rushing
Yeah. We grow.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
We do grow. We grow. Like, I've seen it. I'm literally over here. Like, I wanted to cry one, but I'm like, dang. Like Red really grew up.
Toya Rushing
Yeah, we listen.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Beautiful.
Toya Rushing
Listen 360.
Red Rushing
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love it. I love it. Red, you are a father, you know, and for fathers who are maybe trying to figure it out, you know, you guys have like really worked on this. But for the fathers that are out there. Cause Father's Day is coming up. For fathers who are trying to figure it out with blended families and how to make things work, what is some advice that you could give to them?
Red Rushing
Man, it's hard. It's hard. And everybody won't be blessed with a toya.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Come on.
Red Rushing
You know what I'm saying? Because I don't think people realize the dynamic people go through trying to show up for their kids, show up for their wife, show up for their family. Like different things like that. It's hard. It's just one. I think we got to take accountability. I chose to have a child with this person and we got, we got to get through this. Like it didn't work. We got to get through this and just realize like, okay, it's going to be a sacrifice. Yeah, we can't, we can't sit there and just think everything will go our way. It's gonna be a sacrifice. And you just gotta try to figure out what's, you know, best for the kids.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's real. I love that.
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
That sounds nice.
Paramount Plus Announcer
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Toya Rushing
You stand up when you talk to the Queen.
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Red Rushing
I must have popped.
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Toya Rushing
at you fast whether you ready for it or not.
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
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Red Rushing
Welcome to paradise.
Paramount Plus Announcer
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's all that matters to me.
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
think that men sometimes get discouraged from showing softness or commitment and emotional presence in our society?
Red Rushing
Absolutely. Because we was taught to be hard. We was taught. Taught to be. I just said this on our Couples Time episode. It's just, I done became. I got to the point where I be seeing them so sensitive when it comes to the kids. Like, rain can do something. I'd be like, man, look at this punk. I just know I'm a punk. Like, like, she. You know what I'm saying?
Toya Rushing
Like, I mean, really, all of them, like, I just be like.
Red Rushing
And then my son like. And yeah, you know, it's just. We talk and we just talked to be so hard, be so tough. But it's just. And I'm just saying for me, man, my kids. My kids is my everything. So it's just a special place in my heart that like, they really can do what they want to do. Like, it's just.
Toya Rushing
I'll be like, no,
Red Rushing
I admit Bad
Toya Rushing
cop in our house. House all the time. And they all roll their eyes when I when I step in right here because I'm. Because the daddy is Just gonna let them just. It's ice cream at midnight if they up. Like they. But why they can't have it.
Red Rushing
And the thing is, though. But the thing is, every. Each one of my kids know and respect me. So when I say no is no. When I say they're not gonna play with me, they know when they getting over on me or whatever. Whatever.
Toya Rushing
They know I'm letting that Rain runs.
Red Rushing
Because when I say do this or do that, it ain't no. They not gonna play with daddy. You know what I'm saying? It ain't no thing where they go. You know, they still have that fear of their father. You know what I'm saying? So the other stuff, I'm allowing. And I know I'm allowing because if
Toya Rushing
I call, I'll be like, I'm calling your dad. Rain, she respect her dad. Even though she runs circles around me, she. My dad gonna do it. When I say I'm calling your dad, she gonna. She gonna.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I know that's right. I love that.
Toya Rushing
And it ain't like he gonna talk mean to.
Red Rushing
Well, what she do?
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
What she do?
Toya Rushing
Yeah, that's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
He like all.
Toya Rushing
You know, Rain sometime, like, Rain do this. I be like, red isn't a amazing father. Girl, when I tell yesterday Rain had ice cream social at school. It just be like the. The little things. Like, we don't miss nothing at our kids.
Red Rushing
All right, this is off script. I'm sorry. This is off script. But she had. I love the school she go to. I love her school. What the hell is a ice cream social?
Toya Rushing
She have anything. I ain't going to lie, y'.
Red Rushing
All.
Toya Rushing
Red was like, we gotta go to what?
Red Rushing
I get up at 3:00'. Clock. I get up at 3:00'.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
Clock.
Red Rushing
I drive 45 minutes back home, take a shower, about to take me a nap. Cause I have to go back out later. She said, we gotta go to ice cream social. So I look at her like, no, no, no, no. She said, we gotta go to Rain school. She having something. So then I get dressed and stuff. You didn't tell me what it was.
Toya Rushing
But when I said. When we was pulling up, when we
Red Rushing
pulled up, she said, ice cream social. I'm like, what is that? We go outside and watch our kids eat ice cream.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
That's it.
Toya Rushing
We literally take the ice cream out of the pack, put it in a bowl, put toppings. It's a line to put toppings on the ice cream. And we wash them. And they didn't even want to be bothered with us. She was all the way down rain
Red Rushing
came, gave me a hug, introduced me to a friend, and they went and sat down.
Toya Rushing
But if we wasn't there, oh, it would have been. It would have been.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
My mom didn't come.
Red Rushing
No. My thing is why I had to go.
Toya Rushing
Because we're a team.
Red Rushing
But no, sis, I ain't get it. I was so mad, but I. I
Toya Rushing
really should have left you out of that.
Red Rushing
I was so mad. And then the other dad there, me and him not blind. He said, man, I feel like I'm at a zoo somewhere. Like, what? What. What are we doing?
Toya Rushing
Rain school have all types of stuff.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Oh, my goodness.
Toya Rushing
They're not planting in a garden come garden day. If they're not doing this. That ice cream social. They're singing in a. On a black top. They doing something.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
They're gonna find something these kids to do.
Toya Rushing
I tell you, I love it, though. And me and Red be right there because, you know, your kids look. Oh, I missed this for me.
Red Rushing
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
You know, I didn't have those. Her dad did, like, come to, like, important things like her birthday and stuff like that, but stuff at school and stuff.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
No. Yeah.
Toya Rushing
So they'd be looking like, damn, y' all go to everything at race.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
So I ain't getting none of that.
Toya Rushing
I ain't getting none of that. I'll be like, oh, shoot, you didn't. Baby, I was young. I. I barely made it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that. In closing, I do want to ask you both. I know you have couples Time. Is there any more businesses? You have the gym opening up. Is there anything else you can tell us? We want to make sure we can support you and get the word out.
Toya Rushing
Yeah. We do have our YouTube channel. It's called the Russian World. We do the series called Couples Time there. We have our new Wait no More studios, which is, like, not that far from here, is in Atlanta, opening real soon. We're gonna have our grand opening real soon.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Make sure we get the invite. We'll come.
Toya Rushing
I still have my. I just did a rebrand of my before bed heads. The luxury hair ties and bonnets and stuff like that. So I'm trying to do something, like, different with that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thank you for keeping us cute at night.
Toya Rushing
Yeah, we gotta keep it cute at night.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes.
Toya Rushing
Yeah. Ray. Love when I wear my bonnets.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I know that's right.
Red Rushing
Absolutely.
Toya Rushing
And what else
Red Rushing
that we. We got a lot of stuff going
Toya Rushing
on in our content.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes. I'm loving the content.
Toya Rushing
Thank you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It is so funny. Now, that one where. Where you wrote on his leg and then the next minute, he was naked. I hollered.
Toya Rushing
My mother in law said, what are y' all doing? I said, I'm sorry.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It was so funny because that's how men think.
Red Rushing
Immediately, my homeboy bank hit me. Bank said, well, you don't went all the way with this content. Well, you don't got naked.
Toya Rushing
Red is so funny, though, y'. All. Like, he funny without trying to be funny. So some stuff, I'll be like, okay, let's do this. R be like. And he'd be like, okay. But then he bring me crazy stuff to do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, no, it's so good.
Red Rushing
And she's short. Short. And to go back to what you said, but I do want to give her her props or, like, she's been absolutely killing it this year. My baby was the grand marshal for Disney Black History Parade. Like, that was. That was insane. Like, you know, and stuff she doing with Disney and just major brands and stuff. But, like, she got a lot of stuff going on. She over here trying to downplay it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that
Red Rushing
she hosting a 5k with the mayor in Montgomery this weekend. Like, she. She.
Toya Rushing
I'mma give my little. You know, I be doing my pretty girls walk.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes. I love that.
Toya Rushing
Walk it off, sis. So I'mma do that in Montgomery this week.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
So.
Toya Rushing
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I'm proud of you. That is amazing. Thank you for hyping her up.
Red Rushing
And you, baby. I got to take this time. I got to take this time. See, y' all know Crystal. I know Crystal. I know Crystal. And I want to say, say, I'm so proud of you, sis.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thank you.
Red Rushing
And you know, for the last few years, you always get a random text and I tell you I love you and I'm proud of you. Just seeing everything you've accomplished. Now we got the hair care. It's about to go crazy. And just all this stuff, this, the pod, the movies, the TV show. I am super proud of you.
Toya Rushing
Yes. We got to give you your flowers. Doing amazing.
Red Rushing
Sitting down, our conversations, hugging each other, being there for you. Like, I really love with what you have done. Hey, the sky's the limit. I love your team. You got an amazing team.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
They are incredible.
Red Rushing
Yo. I love. I love it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thank you so much.
Red Rushing
Congratulations.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thank you both. Thank you. I love y'.
Red Rushing
All.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Seriously, before we get out of here, in this season, we are leaning more into being unapologetic. That's what the hair care line is called. But it's called that because I am walking in a season of just being unapologetic. How you say? I Don't give a about what you say this is. I'm doing what's good for me in this season for both of you. What are you most unapologetic about?
Toya Rushing
What I'm most unapologetic about? Just me. For me, just being okay with saying no. That was something that, for the longest, it was hard for me to do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Toya Rushing
I used to be like, oh, but I could do it. But no.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes.
Toya Rushing
And I'm standing on that. And I'm unapologetic about it, period.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love that.
Toya Rushing
If I don't feel comfortable with it or if it's something I don't want to do, I'm moving in a season. If I don't want to do it and it don't feel right with me, I'm not doing it, period.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
For sure. That's good. I love that.
Shopify Sponsor/Announcer
Red.
Red Rushing
Oh, unapologetical.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
What are you being unapologetic about?
Red Rushing
Everything. Nothing. Like, I. Nothing. Like, whatever it is, it is. I don't care. Like, I really don't care. I don't. Again, if my family straight. That's. That's what it is. Like, I ain't apologizing. No. Fine. You take it how you want to take it. You roll while you want to roll with it. It is what it is.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I love it.
Red Rushing
Hey, that's what it is.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That is what it is. I love you both. And thank y' all so much for sitting down. I know our community loves you. Make sure you guys tap into to their YouTube channel, rushing World Watch couples time. And if you're in Atlanta, hit the gym, do everything, whatever you can do, tap in with them. I love everything you all are doing. You're doing amazing things and making an impact and you're keeping it positive, sweetie, while doing it. So we appreciate it.
Toya Rushing
Yes.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thank you, guys.
Toya Rushing
Thank you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
What I appreciate most about this conversation is that it reminds us that healthy love is not just about chemistry. It's about friendship, intention, growth, and choosing each other over and over again. Even while building publicly, Toya and Red have found a way to protect the foundation underneath it all. Thank you both for your honesty, your warmth, and for allowing us into your world. Thank you also for tuning into another episode of Keep it Positive, Sweetie. Don't forget to download the Season 11 Kips Reflection Guide at crystalrenehaza.com subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs it.
Nissan/J.D. Power Announcer
And.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And if you ever need advice, positivity, or just want to share what you're going through, email us at. Keepitpositive outcomesmail.com as always, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and you already know. Keep it positive, sweetie. I'll see you guys next time.
Sean Duffy (NHTSA Announcer)
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Red Rushing
T Mobile is Reinventing Business Internet with Super Broadband Whether you run a small office or a factory of 500 connection in is everything powered by America's fastest 5G Internet plus Starlink super broadband from T mobile reaches every zip code in the US super broadband a new era of business Internet. Visit superbroadband.com to learn more. Based on analysis by Ooklip speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 speeds vary due
Sean Duffy (NHTSA Announcer)
to local network characteristics and management.
Red Rushing
Satellite requires hardware installation Clear view of the sky with 36 month commitment when
Kohler Ambassador
Kohler, global design leader in luxurious kitchen and bath products, asked me to be their ambassador for timeless, elegant, durable cast iron, I said, I'm in. Soon after, I was in their Kohler Wisconsin foundry watching molten iron poured, enamel applied by hand and the beautiful finished pieces ready to ship. Since 1883, Kohler cast iron has been crafted by incredible artisans and seeing it firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for for their craftsmanship. Now I am proud to lend my stamp of approval to my favorite Kohler cast iron products for their durability, beauty and enduring style. Shop my curated pics@kohler.com as the Kohler Cast Iron Ambassador, I say long live Cast Iron.
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Toya Rushing
This is an iheart podcast. Guaranteed human.
Host: Crystal Renee Hazlett | Guests: Toya & Red Rushing
Main Theme:
Exploring the realities behind public “couple goals” as Toya and Red Rushing—partners in marriage, business, and family—open up about their journey to building a real, resilient partnership. The conversation digs into the importance of privacy, friendship, therapy, blending families, and protecting your peace while living in the public eye.
Crystal welcomes Toya and Red Rushing, whose highly visible lives touch marriage, entrepreneurship, and parenting. This episode goes well beyond surface-level “couple goals,” offering honest, unfiltered takes on:
[04:45-05:59]
Fun rapid-fire questions reveal couple dynamics; who apologizes first, who spends more money, and who starts deep convos late at night.
Both Toya and Red admit to being strict and generous in different ways, shining light on their complementary personalities.
"Who spends more money? Who's more likely to check on everybody else before checking on themselves?" – Crystal
"Well, I guess that's kind of both of us, in a way." – Toya
[06:02-08:49]
Despite years in the spotlight, Toya and Red intentionally kept their early relationship private, focusing first on friendship and healing.
Toya shares that, after her divorce, privacy allowed space for genuine connection and healing before sharing with the world.
"When we finally did go public or whatever, we were at a place where we was already, like, strong. Like, you know, so it really didn't matter." – Toya (08:40)
Red’s background working behind the scenes helped him value privacy:
"I wasn't in a rush at all. Like, I didn't mind just staying back. I was enjoying her." – Red (09:42)
[18:39-21:28]
The pair emphasizes friendship as the bedrock of their marriage, enabling honest dialogue even during conflict.
"Even if we do have problems or go through things, like, it's still a friend there. Like, some days I might not like you, but I love you. And that's my friend. I gotta tell my friend." – Toya (18:50)
Transitioning from correcting to connecting:
"We were so quick to correct each other instead of focusing on connecting... how can we connect instead of correct?" – Red (20:15)
[21:41-24:36]
Red’s long history with therapy inspired Toya to seek her own journey, shifting both their mindsets.
Both are adamant about not airing relationship issues to friends or the internet.
"I go to therapy and I have an unbiased voice that I can talk to and unload..." – Red (22:28)
Toya underscores the transformative power of therapy:
"That was like one of my biggest changes in life. Like it just made me see things from a totally different perspective." – Toya (24:26)
[27:24-31:41]
Toya supports Red’s initiative "Weight No More," inspired by a moment of compassion for childhood obesity.
They describe merging their separate ventures and how supporting each other's lead has been crucial.
"I allow him to lead and come on wherever I can jump in to help. Like, I'm always there to help. But that's his baby and I'm just supporting, you know, the supportive wife." – Toya (27:55)
[32:14-35:46]
Both reflect on their differing family backgrounds. Toya, used to dysfunction, learned to accept support and warmth from Red’s loving family.
Red speaks candidly about Toya’s emotional guard and the challenge of helping her heal from past trauma.
"She just had a wall up and just had to knock that down. And just like, yo, I'm here for you. Like, we can take on the whole world together." – Red (34:43)
Toya’s breaking point:
"You literally trying to save everybody, and you're losing in you. So it was one of the moments where I had to get back to me, like, and my family that I'm creating." – Toya (38:12)
[40:23-41:31]
Toya shares the radical difference between surviving toxic relationships and being loved safely and consistently.
"It feels very safe to just know you with someone who truly love you, who appreciate you, who make you feel seen, who make you feel heard and who make you feel safe. Because as women that's really what we want." – Toya (40:32)
Red's gratitude for family over everything:
"Now the biggest place in my life is my family. So I'm working all week and I'm looking forward to the weekends to chill with my wife... it just feels so good coming home." – Red (41:34)
[43:00-44:40]
Both discuss cutting ties with people—including family—who threaten their peace, a choice they now make unapologetically.
"If it don't bring peace in my life, you gotta go. I don't care who you are." – Toya (43:56)
Red echoes this sentiment, balancing love for some connections with commitment to his own peace.
[45:00-53:24]
Red shares advice for fathers navigating blended families and co-parenting: accountability, sacrifice, and always putting the kids’ well-being first.
They laugh about household dynamics, with Toya as the "bad cop," and Red as a soft-hearted but respected father.
"It's hard. And everybody won't be blessed with a Toya." – Red (45:26)
"My kids is my everything. So it's just a special place in my heart that like, they really can do what they want to do." – Red (49:31)
They reflect on breaking generational patterns by being present for every child’s school event.
[53:58-56:01]
Highlights from their shared journey: their YouTube series "Couples Time," the upcoming "Wait No More" fitness studio in Atlanta, and Toya’s re-branded haircare line.
Red takes a moment to hype Toya’s accomplishments, including her work with Disney and leading community events.
"She's been absolutely killing it this year. My baby was the grand marshal for Disney Black History Parade... she got a lot of stuff going on.” – Red (55:22)
[57:13-58:31]
"If I don't feel comfortable with it or if it's something I don't want to do, I'm moving in a season. If I don't want to do it and it don't feel right with me, I'm not doing it, period." – Toya (57:54)
"Whatever it is, it is. I don't care. Like, I really don't care... If my family straight. That's. That's what it is. Like, I ain't apologizing." – Red (58:10)
This episode is honest, warm, and empowering. Toya and Red’s playful chemistry and candor encourage listeners to value real love, friendship, authenticity, and healing. They model setting boundaries, prioritizing peace, and growing together beyond appearances—demonstrating that the truest “couple goals” are built on purpose, intention, and doing the inner work together.
For More:
Closing Message:
Love isn’t simply goals—it’s choice, connection, and grace-in-action. And always, keep it positive, sweetie!