Youth Coaching… A passion of mine since 7th grade, sitting just 5 rows up from the stage where the most tuned in transformative speaker delivered more than words, more than instructions… He had a story. And I liked it! I remember thinking to myself, “I want to do that. I want to have a real life personal story and share it just like that.” Turns out, I wasn’t far off in my thinking… I had a story then, and an even greater story now, 14 years later. At this influential 12 year life marker, I remember thinking how much I needed to hear the words of this magnetic speaker, a complete stranger who somehow seemed to know me, if even just a little bit. He spoke directly to me, to my soul, to my half child, half teen, adult-destined heart. Since that day, nearly every motivational speaker at school has “wowed” me. I loved hearing their stories and the way they conveyed their experience and thoughts to something I could use in my life. They weren’t just survivors, they chose to thrive. I wanted that! They shared their wisdom and gifted me with the opportunity to do with it what I needed; and I did.
Now 26-years-old, a college graduate and Certified Professional Coach, I am inspired to bound joyously down this path toward fulfillment. While pondering this passion-infused venture this morning, my Mom called an hour later saying, “I was in the shower this morning and I had this vision of you speaking with young women about life. You were up there smiling and laughing and sharing your life story and they were loving it. They loved you. You gave them exactly what they needed. I remember you turned to me and said ‘This is it. This is what I want to do.’”
I was amazed, what a gift, what perfect timing. “What was I talking about with them?” I prodded, seeking infinite wisdom from such a willing 
source. “You shared your life story and how you see the world from it.” I inhaled the deepest breath I could muster and felt what it meant to do this. Incredible. My Mom gave me the keys to an incredible opportunity.
Just yesterday I asked, “How can I help people?” And today… the answer arrived in a beautiful vision from my Mom, my own lifelong Coach. I am now networking with area schools to start lunchtime meetings to talk about life, challenges, and really generate some great conversation. I envision myself working in conjunction with school counselors and delivering presentations and speeches to students at school.
In addition, I see a phenomenal opportunity to provide teens a voice and have already welcomed two high school students as contributors to the blog. Truth is, I have questions, I want to know what you’re thinking, teens. You have brave, courageous, strength-induced brilliant minds and I am so curious as to how you are taking it all in. Thankfully, our blog contributors are going to help us out!
* If you’re interested in becoming a contributing blogger, please speak up! We need your wisdom and expression!
A special Thank You to Paige & Olivia Cambern (pictured above) for being two of my greatest teachers in life. You inspire me everyday, challenging me to think deeply, love fully, live now, and make a difference in everything I do.
To your brilliance,
Lacy
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Beautifully put Lacy! This inspired me to revisit my own “ah-ha” moment after a conversation with a single dad raising two young daughters. The youth of today are amazing and deserve the “older” generation’s attention and mentoring.
Excellent start lace!! So… How does one go about adding to this wonderful project of yours??