What Happens When You Stop Running?
Timothee | Proof of Life - Episode 40
There is a version of men’s mental health we do not talk about enough.
Not the dramatic breakdowns or the viral conversations. The quieter version. The one where life keeps moving, you keep showing up, people assume you’re fine, but deep down, you know something is missing. You can’t quite explain it. You just know you’re not fully at peace.
For many men, the response is simple: keep moving. Work harder. Stay busy. Ignore it.
Timothee Ideh chose something different.
In this week’s Proof of Life, we explore the journey of a young creative who paused long enough to ask himself difficult questions about fulfilment, identity, purpose, and faith. The result was not just a personal transformation, but Born Again, a deeply personal EP documenting his decision to embrace God, align his life with his convictions, and create from a place of honesty.
We talk about childhood, music, the highs and frustrations of being an artist, surviving life’s uncertainties, and what it means to find your way back to yourself.
Enjoy POL.
1. What does “Proof of Life” mean to you in this season of your life?
It’s me living and doing my best to achieve my goals without beating myself up too much over them. When I’m tired, I rest. When I’m bored, I play football, play table tennis, or watch movies. When I feel led, I write music.
Basically, it’s just living life one day at a time.
2. Before music became public and before people knew your name, what kind of child were you growing up? What memories still stay with you today?
I was born into a family that loves music. My mum was in the church choir, my sister sings, my brother sings, and they eventually both joined the choir as well.
So I grew up loving music and always wanting to sing. I was usually the one leading morning devotions with songs. Sometimes I even tried creating my own music. I remember writing a song called King of Kings back then, although I can’t remember the lyrics anymore.
Music was always around me. I was just that child who loved singing.
3. Music has clearly been around you for a long time. Do you remember the first song, performance, or studio session that made you think, “Okay… maybe this is really what I’m supposed to do”?
I used to spend a lot of time in the studio helping a friend with sound mixes for dance projects because I also loved dancing.
Whenever I was in the studio, I found myself naturally doing backup vocals on songs. The artists would hear me and say, “Abeg, do that thing for me again!”
Eventually, I asked myself why I wasn’t doing the thing I already loved doing privately. One day, I found a producer, expressed myself, and started taking music seriously.
4. Every creative journey has highs people celebrate and lows nobody sees. What has been your favorite and hardest moment as an artist so far?
One of my favorite memories was hosting events called Vibe Special. Seeing a room full of people singing my songs word for word was incredibly fulfilling.
I also love those moments when I perform for a completely new audience and someone connects with the music instantly. They start dancing, recording videos, asking for my Instagram, or wanting to download the song. Those moments remind me why I create.
The hardest part has been knowing a song is good, watching people connect with it, but not being able to get it in front of more listeners. Sometimes I know that if more people heard the music, they would love it too.
Those moments can be discouraging, but they never stop me from making music because I genuinely love what I do.
5. Many artists struggle between creating for the world and creating from a truthful place. Have you ever felt disconnected from your own art?
Whenever I create, I try my best to create from how I feel, what I’ve experienced, or stories that reflect what other people may be going through.
If I create something and don’t feel connected to it, I usually don’t finish it or release it. I consume my music first before sharing it with the world.
For me, creating has to come from a truthful place.
6. How would you describe the version of yourself that existed before Born Again?
A version of me that wasn’t fully fulfilled but still loved music so much that I couldn’t stop creating and releasing it.
7. Let’s talk about the EP. Why Born Again? What does that title mean to you personally beyond the obvious interpretation?
It simply means me returning to who I was always supposed to be.
8. This project feels deeply personal and reflective. Was there a particular life moment or realization that pushed the EP into existence? While creating it, what emotions were you carrying the most?
The realization came from my personal life.
I moved from simply existing to becoming genuinely close to God and feeling ready to share His love with the world anytime and anywhere.
That journey naturally became the foundation of the project.
9. Your decision to fully give your life to Christ and to express that through music seem deeply connected. How natural did that alignment feel for you?
It was something I had always prayed for.
When that shift happened, I knew it had to reflect in every area of my life, including my music. It felt natural because I had always been asking God for direction and leading.
10. Did embracing this new direction bring peace immediately, or did it come with its own fears and adjustments?
There were definitely fears and adjustments.
But through all of it, I kept praying and telling God, “I didn’t bring myself here. You did. So you’ll handle it all for me.”
Little by little, peace has continued to grow.
11. Out of all the tracks on Born Again, which one feels the most personal to you right now, and why?
Holy Father.
It’s me telling God that I trust Him completely.
No matter what happens from here, I believe He will guide me. It’s almost like a personal conversation where I’m saying, “Hold me firmly and lead me like the Father that You are.”
12. Which track do you think people may connect with the most emotionally, even beyond faith?
I think Holy Father, God Is Real, and even Confidence.
Honestly, I believe the entire project carries emotions that people can connect with.
13. Music aside, how have you honestly been feeling lately as a person?
I haven’t been feeling so great lately.
But I’m positive about what the future holds, and I’m grateful for the gift of life.
14. Adulting in Nigeria has a way of testing people emotionally, mentally, and financially… all at once 😭 How have you been navigating this phase of life while still protecting your peace and creativity?
I just do my best, keep working, and continue trusting God.
Like I say in Holy Father and Confidence, He’s all I have.
One of my favorite sayings is, “God no go shame us.”
And the truth is, He never does.
15. What currently gives you hope? About yourself, your future, your music, or even the country as a whole?
The fact that I’m alive.
I’ve survived terrible accidents and I’m still here. I can walk. I can work. I can sing. I can create.
That alone gives me hope.
16. When people listen to Timothee Ideh years from now, what do you hope they feel first?
I hope they feel hope.
I hope they feel loved by God.
And I hope they feel inspired to get closer to Him than they’ve ever been before.
17. Outside music and faith, what are the little things that currently make life feel beautiful or worth showing up for?
My loved ones.
My family.
They’re worth showing up for every single day.
18. Finally, give us one random thought currently living rent-free in your mind. Anything at all 😄
Paris.
Chilling in a penthouse. 😎
Sometimes growth is loud. Sometimes it sounds like a quiet decision to stop running from what you already know.
Thank you to Timothee for sharing his story with us.
If this conversation resonated with you, stream Born Again on your preferred music platform and experience the journey for yourself.
Until next week, enjoy Confidence & God is Real from the Born Again EP ❤️
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