Today, I had the privilege of stepping onto a high school stage to share my journey. If you’ve ever spoken to a room full of teenagers, you know you can’t hide behind corporate jargon or polished slides. They don’t want a resume or title, they really want a story.
My Three Pillars for Inspiring Youth:
Radical Authenticity: I don't just talk about the wins. I talk about the 2:00 AM "what am I doing?" moments. Vulnerability is the fastest way to build a bridge.
Actionable Hope: Inspiration is great, but a roadmap is better. I aim to leave them with one thing they can do tomorrow to move the needle.
Listening as Much as Speaking: The Q&A is always my favorite part. Their questions remind me that the future is in very capable, albeit curious, hands.
The Takeaway
Success isn't a straight line; it's a series of pivots, failures, and "try again" moments. If even one student walked out of that auditorium feeling like their "impossible" goal just became "improbable" (and eventually, inevitable), then today was a massive win.
To the class of today: The world is waiting for your specific brand of genius. Don't make it wait too long.