Technology for Real Connection; Shakir “Dyce” Gilkes
RSS Feed Shakir “Dyce” Gilkes is an indie founder, creative, actor, photographer, and father of two with a passion for love and meaningful human connection. Born in Barbados, he moved to Canada on his own in 2016, bringing with him a background in music, acting, and storytelling. Now based in Mississauga, Dyce taught himself how to build an app from scratch, without outside funding or previous development experience. His creation, OurLoveLyfe, offers couples and singles a more mindful space to celebrate love, relationships, and self-worth without the distractions of traditional social media. His journey is one of creativity, determination, and building something meaningful with intention.
Contact Info- Website: OurLoveLyfe.com
- Promo / Offer: The core OurLoveLyfe app is free, with an optional subscription offering expanded usage limits.
- One of Dyce’s sisters
Effect on Emotions- Mindfulness helps him understand his emotions and distinguish anxiety from depression.
- He considers what he can control and what he cannot.
- “You don’t have to keep tolerating” an uncomfortable or harmful situation; removing yourself is something you can control.
- His guiding motto is to “stay in the moment.”
- Breathing helps calm his heartbeat when he experiences anxiety.
- He closes his eyes and takes several breaths until he feels his heartbeat settle.
- “I cannot focus” when stressed or highly anxious, so breathing helps him calm himself and regain focus.
- When his sister is unavailable, breathing is his primary way to bring himself down independently.
- Book: *The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living* by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
- App: I Am
- App: OurLoveLyfe
- Dyce grew up in a poor family in Barbados and was repeatedly bullied during his first two years of secondary school because his uniform did not fit properly.
- Other students picked on him daily and sometimes took his money.
- Determined not to endure the same treatment again, he worked throughout the summer, saved his money, and bought brand-new uniforms.
- When he returned to school, his changed appearance and growing recognition by his nickname meant his former bullies did not recognize him.
- “Dyce kinda changed my life in a way,” he said, reflecting on how his nickname and new confidence helped transform his experience.