Redemption, Youth Violence, and Real Change with Anton Noble In this gripping and deeply moving episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we’re joined by Anton Noble — urban youth specialist, gang exit strategist, transformational speaker, and founder of Guiding Young Minds, a life-changing mentoring and intervention programme for at-risk youth. Anton grew up in Coventry and lived the realities of gang culture, serious youth violence, and criminal exploitation firsthand. Now, over 12 years out of that life, he is one of the UK’s leading voices in gang prevention, youth mentorship, and trauma-informed intervention. His lived experience isn’t just a powerful story — it’s the foundation for a mission that’s saving lives. From Channel 4 documentaries and BBC interviews to courtrooms and classrooms, Anton is leading the fight against knife crime, county lines exploitation, and generational trauma with unmatched authenticity and courage.
In this episode, we dive into:
🔹 Anton’s journey from street gangs to award-winning mentor and national advocate
🔹 What really drives young people into gangs — and what gets them out
🔹 Trauma, masculinity, and the roots of violence in our communities
🔹 County Lines: what most people don’t understand about exploitation
🔹 How Guiding Young Minds uses therapy, mentorship, and credibility to create change
🔹 The power of lived experience in violence reduction and prevention
🔹 Speaking truth to institutions — and why systems need to change
🔹 Why real intervention starts with understanding, not judgment
Key Takeaways:
✅ You can’t change what you don’t understand
✅ Gang culture is often a response to pain, not power
✅ Prevention starts with empathy, credibility, and consistency
✅ We need more spaces for men to process trauma without shame
✅ Transformation is possible — no matter your past
Powerful Quotes from Anton:
“You can’t punish pain out of a person — you have to understand it first.”
“People listen when they know you’ve walked the road they’re on.”
“Gang culture isn’t glamorous — it’s survival dressed up as power.” “The opposite of gang life isn’t just safety — it’s purpose.”
Connect with Anton: 📱 Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Snapchat | X (Twitter): @gymintervention 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-noble-1b6726a5/
Linkedin Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewishackney/
Instagram Lewis: https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/
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