Top 3 Ways To Help Teenagers Manage Their Emotions

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Top 3 Ways To Help Teenagers Manage Their Emotions - Empower UEmpower U

For every single one of us, learning to manage our emotions is vital to almost everything we do, whether it’s school, work, relationships, sports, or anything else we choose to devote our time to.

So how do we learn to manage and deal with our emotions and thoughts? The answer is really quite simple… and it comes in 3 steps:

  1. Physiology
  2. Language, and
  3. Focus.

Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail.

Physiology

Whenever we’re feeling stressed, upset, anxious, worried, or other negative emotions, one of the simplest ways to combat those thoughts and feelings is to change your physiology. Physiology is essentially our body language.

This can be something as simple as just standing up and going for a walk, listening to some music, doing some stretches, or anything else that can change your physical state in order to provide a pattern break from your mental state. While this is usually only a temporary solution for the problem, when we get too caught up in a negative spiral, just doing something physical can ‘snap’ your mind out of that thought process.

Language

Many of us don’t realise the powerful effect that our language can have on the way we think and feel. If we’re constantly using negative language, or putting ourselves or others down, then that is going to negatively affect our emotions. Even when we think we’re joking, our subconscious has no sense of humour, and takes everything we say literally. So when you speak negatively, you’re just feeding negative emotions.

For example, if you say “I have a million things on my mind”, you probably only have a handful of things, but your subconscious takes that literally, which causes stress, worry, and overthinking. To prevent this, teenagers need to take an active role in correcting the way they speak to themselves and one another, in order to drive positive thoughts and emotions.

Focus

This is the strongest way for teenagers to grow their ability to manage their emotions. When we’re in a negative state, or highly emotional about something, it’s generally because that’s all we’re focusing on. While there are times where complete focus on something is good, the ability to shift focus from something negative to positive is imperative in order for teenagers to be able to stop a negative spiral of thoughts and emotions and bounce back quickly through focusing on the positives, and being able to find silver linings.

Helping your teenager to learn to manage their emotions is an important skill to give them as they become their own individual, and unfortunately is not one that is really covered in schools. So for parents, finding alternative forms of education, such as Empower U, to support your teenagers growth is the best way to give them a positive mindset to help them achieve success.

For more information about The Empower U Program, click HERE or contact the team on 1300 039 662.

What Happens When We Face Fear?

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What Happens When We Face Fear - Empower U Educational Workshops for TeenagersEmpower U

“To do or not to do?” Our minds tell us no, that we might mess up, that we might disappoint, and that it is just too risky – we are fearful. The prospect of failure in the face of uncertainty gives us a reason to hold back, and so we let our fears consume us, as we decide it’s best to stay within our comfort zones.

However, when we choose not to face our fears, what we may fail to realise is that we are actually validating them — giving them the power to grow, to have a stronger hold on us, and to keep us from living our best lives. Our fears are made up of past experiences that have created the references to the limiting beliefs we have now, and when we allow them to, they are powerful enough to keep us from grabbing the opportunities in front of us. Fortunately, a life lived without fear is something that is completely possible for all of us, and achieving this involves recognising what we may find beyond our comfort zones.

Generally speaking, most people associate the idea of stepping out of their comfort zone with a negative feeling, but it is also universally recognised that when we push through it, it ultimately leads to feelings of pride, satisfaction, and an overall sense of happiness. When we allow ourselves to feel our fears and face them head-on, we are able to have a positive, enriching experience that we can grow from. While we are uncertain of its end result, we know that at the end of the day, victorious or not, choosing to take that risk rewards us with an invaluable learning experience to carry for a lifetime.

Most of our fears aren’t based on facts, but on our personal beliefs.

Here is a short clip from a recent Empower U Program where we have a conversation around beliefs, how they are formed and what we can do to create a new set of beliefs that serves us better.

For more information about The Empower U Program and upcoming events, click HERE or give us a call on 1300 039 662.

 

The Only Failure in Life

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The Only Failure in Life - Empower U Teen EducationEmpower U

Undoubtedly, failing is not a very pleasurable experience. More often than not, it leaves us feeling uncomfortable and discouraged, and is oftentimes the force that holds us back when presented with an opportunity that entails trying something new and unfamiliar. Consequently, it stands in the way of our growth and success. 

So how do we keep this from happening? How do we not let the fear of failure keep us from going for the very things that may help us grow?

We must learn to understand the importance of shifting our beliefs about failure. 

In reality, it is the most successful people who have failed countless times, and they are able to do so because they do not see it as something to avoid, but rather an avenue to maximise their growth. Michael Jordan, considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, once said,

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost more than 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeeded.” – Michael Jordan

As someone who is often in the spotlight, well aware of the importance of each shot he takes, the thought of failing to deliver and disappointing his team and a multitude of fans must be overwhelming – but he recognised how his very failures served as the stepping stones to his extremely successful basketball career. 

Truly, it is when we do not give up that we develop resiliency, as it is when we fail that we are able to truly learn. In Michael Jordan’s case, the shots he missed allowed him to come up with better techniques and strategies so as to improve. And we can learn from this that it is through taking our failures, utilising them to learn — gaining a wider perspective, actively asking questions, and continuously making an effort to improve that we are able to maximise the growth opportunities from our setbacks. 

Here’s a short clip from my recent Empower U Program where I talk about failure and how if we really look at it, there really is only one failure in life.

For more information about The Empower U Program download our latest Program Guide or give us a call on 1300 039 662.

The 4 Levels of Learning

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The 4 Stages of Learning - Empower U Teenage Education Programs AustraliaEmpower U

Before we learn something new, we often do not realise how much we do not know and are yet to learn. At times, when we begin to learn, we discover the gravity of what we do not know and get overwhelmed by its difficulty, which may leave us feeling disheartened. Through understanding the levels of learning, we will be able to more easily recognise how we feel as we keep track of where we are in the learning process. The 4 Levels of Learning are often illustrated as a model that highlights two factors that affect our thinking: Our awareness (consciousness) and our skill level (competence).

1. Unconscious Incompetence

In this stage, we do not have the knowledge or skill set yet, and we do not know that we need to learn it. This is when we do not know what we do not know. For example, as a child who has not been introduced to riding a bike, we are completely unaware of its benefits and usefulness. When a certain idea is introduced to us and we realise that there is value that may be gained from learning it, we then move on to the next level.

2. Conscious Incompetence

When we are in this stage, we are aware of the skill we lack and understand that we must put in the work to bridge the deficit. We can say “I know that I do not know (what this is really about/how to do this)” and hopefully, that will be followed by, “but I would like to learn.” Applying this to the previous example, this is when we begin to learn the fundamentals of properly riding a bicycle and putting it into practice by getting on a bike and working to master its manoeuvring.

3. Conscious Competence

This stage entails being aware of one’s ability to execute, but having to remain conscious as they do so because it doesn’t come naturally yet. This is when we can say “I know I am doing this right” – we know we aren’t incompetent, and that we can ride a bike, but we still need to consciously think about it in order to correctly execute the action.

4. Unconscious Competence

Reaching this stage entails knowing that we know something so well that we don’t even realise that we are doing it when we do. This is when you can ride a bike without even thinking about it, or to take the example even further, when you’re driving a car and you get to your destination without properly remembering how you got there. The skill is so embedded in us that we do not have to continuously process what we are doing.

Embracing the Journey of Learning

The 4 levels of learning framework is best used to help us understand the emotions we experience during the learning process. It helps to reassure ourselves that while learning can get frustrating and challenging, we are well on our way to improving as we continue to do so.

For more information on the 4 levels of learning and The Empower U Program, download our latest program guide or call 1300 039 662.

How Anxiety Has Slowly Crept Up On Us

A few weeks ago, I did a interview on the Mike Goldman show about Empower U and the changes I’ve seen in teenagers over my years of running the program. While many of the issues that young people face have remained the same in the last 17 years, there has been one topic that has grown exponentially in the last 7-10 years… and that is Anxiety.

20 years ago, no one really knew what the word anxiety even meant, and few people suffered from it. Today however, almost everyone at least knows someone who has anxiety, if not suffers from it themselves in some shape or form. So, what has been the catalyst for this change? Why are we seeing consistently decreasing standards of overall mental health in young people?

In 2008, the iPhone came out… and it was a technological advance that truly changed the world. Today, everyone has a smartphone. We are constantly checking our screens for notifications, messages, and reminders which provide us with external validation. We form a dependency, and even an addiction to these notifications. We’re tuning out of conversations and becoming less present. Whenever we’re in a situation where it might be slightly uncomfortable or awkward, we’re pulling out our phones. Furthermore, a number of studies have shown that constantly being plugged in and receiving notifications is overwhelming our ability to regulate our thoughts and emotions, creating anxiety and distracting us from being present which is what is leading to this massive growth in anxiety.

In order to change, we need to create healthy habits around technology. Set rules and limitations on yourself so that you’re creating time where you can be present. When we’re present, we sit in our own thoughts and we ask ourselves questions. If we’re constantly distracted by technology, we never get the opportunity to have that time with ourselves. We don’t ask ourselves what we want in life. Or how we plan on reaching our goals. Or how we can make a situation better. We just accept what we have and if we don’t like it, we find other means of stimulation to stop thinking about it. It is this lack of being present and asking ourselves the important questions that creates this tension and anxiety in us.

To learn more about the Empower U Program, download our latest Program Guide here.

Empowering Youth in the Digital Age

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It’s been 15 years since the launch of Tomorrow’s Youth’s first ever Empower U Program, and we’re not slowing down! Research shows that 51% of teens prefer to communicate digitally rather than in person (even with friends) and 43% of 18-24 year olds say that texting is just as meaningful as an actual conversation with someone over the phone. Because of this, it is more important than ever to build strong communication skills and emotional intelligence in teenagers. So, how do we go about empowering youth in the digital age?

Empower U is designed to teach teenagers and young adults practical skills on how to communicate effectively, set and achieve their goals, take control of their lives and embody a new sense of self-worth, direction and empowerment. Since the launch of the first program, the change in youth behaviour has been made so apparent, most notably due to social media, and what has now been coined “screen addiction”.

One of our graduates, Elise Marcianti, who was recently interviewed on Sunrise, has spoken about how Empower U has helped her take control of her life and has given her healthy habits around using social media. Elise is a survivor of Anorexia Nervosa, and social media had a huge negative impact on her during that time. Elise said,

“Social media is so damaging for people suffering from eating disorders. No matter how hard I tried when I lost weight, there would always be people on social media that I could keep striving towards, but never get there.”

Empower U was the catalyst for change for Elise, “Empower U was a massive turn around for me, and it wasn’t only that weekend it helps you and gets you motivated, but it sets you up long term too.” Empower U helped Elise on her road to recovery and to commit to keeping herself happy and healthy by giving her strategies to have healthy habits around social media.

We are living in an increasingly digitalised world, where technology will continue to have both positive and negative impacts on young adults, and where parents play an important role in monitoring and managing these impacts. Research shows that 65% of parents with teenagers confiscate phones or remove Internet privileges as a form of punishment. But instead of using tech-devices as a means of behavioural control, such as reward or threat, we need to be educating our future generations on how to combine quality use of technology with emotional intelligence.

Parents also play a vital role in how their teenagers value the use of technology. Parents should be positive role models, which means nurturing meaningful parent-teen and teen-technology relationships. It’s important not to encourage kids to think about screen time in terms of gratification alone. Instead, it should enhance learning, help develop one’s sense of self, or facilitate positive connections.

Positioning non-screen time as an equally attractive use of time is also important. Like everything, technology-use is about balance, so encouraging, educating and empowering our teens to actively make their own decision to value the present, to be independent and confident in communicating face-to-face, are invaluable tools to imbed.

However, the change in youth behaviour is more powerful and sustainable if teens feel they’ve made the decision independently. It’s important to introduce and set challenges with your teens. The challenge could be not looking at your phone for the first and last 30 minutes of each day, turning off notifications during school/homework time, or having a technology-free day with the family once every few weeks. It’s important to have an open dialogue about how everyone is feeling during these challenges and understand that it’s not an overnight change, but a total perspective shift in what is truly valuable, remembering that growth and change takes time and that some days will be easier than others.

To learn more about Empower U, download our latest Program Guide.

5-Day Camp Was an Overwhelming Success

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Empower U 5 Day CampEmpower U

When I started Tomorrows Youth all the way back in October of 2001 I had a vision to enlighten today’s youth by teaching them life skills not focused on in school. The first was a weekend program where I would take teenagers from all kinds of backgrounds and give them an experience that would illuminate their mind, challenges some of their preconceived ideas on their life and future. We launched the Empower U program in July of 2002 and the rest is history when it comes to that. 23,000 teenagers in 6 countries and counting have gone through Empower U and it continues to achieve amazing results for all that attend.

However it was only natural graduates from Empower U would want to continue on their journey of personal growth and self discovery. That lead us to launch the 5-Day Empower U CAMP in January of 2004. It was always intended to be a huge jump for the weekend experience. Primarily because the only participants that would be allowed to attend the Camp were graduates who had gone through the weekend experience. The level of commitment therefore was unparalleled.

On January the 10th, 2016, at 4pm we began what was to be the 11th Camp in our history. 47 participants from around the country came together for a week of self discovery, mental growth and amazing breakthroughs. While I cannot go into details about the experience itself I did want to share some thoughts from graduates who attended and some photos to give you an insight into what an incredible experience this is. I still feel that after all of these years we are the best kept secret around.

Please share this information with anyone you know who has teenage children. What a great start to 2016 it would be if every teenager had the opportunity (whether they saw it as that or not) to experience Empower U for themselves.

Dale Beaumont from Business Blueprint sharing his wisdom and teaching them Goal Setting Techniques

Dale Beaumont from Business Blueprint sharing his wisdom and teaching them Goal Setting Techniques

Dear Brent,

The moment I finished my first 2 and a half-day program, I knew the camp was something I needed to do. As cliché as it sounds, Empower U changed my life forever. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about and implement the lessons I’ve learnt from the program and I knew that camp was going to push me even further to be the best version of myself. After eventually convincing my parents and almost a year of saving all my dollars, the 5-day camp came around…

I had very high expectations of the camp, and of myself. I knew that it was going to be an incredible week and so I set the bar high. Apparently, I didn’t set it high enough… The 5-day camp completely pole-vaulted my expectations and I came out the other side feeling absolutely on top of the world. There really are no words that could adequately describe just how incredible those 5 days are because in order to truly understand the highs, lows, and lessons of the camp, you need to experience it.

So, if you are on the fence about attending camp, or a little unsure, please PLEASE take the plunge. Don’t let excuses hold you back from an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Camp is a big commitment and you may have to make some sacrifices, but the rewards will pay you back ten fold. Empower U changed my life… The 5-day flipped it upside down. But to be honest… it’s a better view from here.

Ishana Pilger

Owen Matheson was one of the Business Plan judges and a real inspiration to everyone

Owen Matheson was one of the Business Plan judges and a real inspiration to everyone

Dear Brent,

If I thought the 2-day Empower U program was awesome, then the 5-day Camp was S.P.E.C.T.A.C.U.L.A.R.  For me personally, I was very unsure about coming to this camp and how much it would really affect me in my day-to-day lifestyle. But like many, I jumped out of my comfort zone and gave in 110% during the whole 6 days – which is something that I will NEVER regret. The rest of the camp they say is history. By the end, I learnt so many crucial and significant lessons that really changed the way in which I approached my life. Not only that but I developed so many meaningful, loving and long-term relationships with my peers.

Everyday, the camp atmosphere was electrifying and the people at the camp were so enthusiastic, caring and most important of all – they were being true to themselves. This is a place and time where you can do anything, dream anything and achieve anything as long as you give it your all and really believe in yourself that is something in which many schools do not teach. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has done the 2-day Empower U program, who is not afraid of change and who is willing to step out of their comfort zone. Although it may seem very clichéd, I must re-iterate that this truly was a LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.”

Once again, I cannot thank you enough and how you’ve really changed my life Brent. I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to attend such an amazing and life-changing camp :)

Thank you Brent.

Love,

Peter Hoang

One of the highlights of the camp was Michael Adamedes and his Dynamic Meditation. A very intense and emotional process for everyone 

One of the highlights of the camp was Michael Adamedes and his Dynamic Meditation. A very intense and emotional process for everyone

Dear Brent,

There are not many words to describe the 5 day Empower U camp. Some that might come to mind are; amazing, life changing, impactful and motivational. This camp for me was 110% the best experience of my life. I enjoyed it so much and I am sure everyone else that has ever done it would say the same. They don’t tell you much about the camp itself and what you do while you’re there. Even if your expectations are extremely high, this camp will blow those expectations out of the water. This camp has most definitely changed my life FOREVER.

The 2 day Empower U was nothing compared to this experience, and that says something. Because I know that nearly everyone that does the 2 day Empower U will say so many amazing things about it. To be honest after doing 2 Empower U’s and 1 Camp, I think there’s only 1 person who didn’t really enjoy it or want to come back.

One of the reasons the 5 day camp is so amazing and impactful, is because you build so many quality relationships with so different types of people, no matter who you are. For example, I’m 14 and someone who I consider to be my “best friend” of the camp was 16 nearly 17. The age difference meant to nothing to anyone. You could talk to everyone and no one would judge you. One of the people who I felt most comfortable around was an adult, mostly because I know they’ve been through a lot, and I had too.

Everyone at the camp wants to be there, and everyone has also had their problems. So you won’t be judged for who you are, which is so amazing because I don’t get that very often. I’m the type of person who got picked on and no one really liked me. But at this camp I feel so comfortable about everyone.

Gus Grgic

Adam, Bronte and Karla were a part of our assist team... where is Mel? They were outstanding

Adam, Bronte and Karla were a part of our assist team… where is Mel? They were outstanding

Dear Brent,

For me the camp was definitely the most fabulous, life changing thing I have ever done in my life. it was super fun and very emotional at times too. It just felt so amazing to be in an environment where I felt free to go all out crazy and be who I want to be without judgment from others. Dance sessions (and mosh pits), well they were so intense, definitely a highlight for me. all the other kids/young adults are all so enthusiastic, energetic, and supportive which just raises the energy of the camp x10.

After finishing the camp I feel so free from whatever emotions or mindsets that were holding me back and I look at the world from a completely different perspective now. the guest speakers were so inspiring and Chris Gray’s Lamborghini was pretty sweet too. Overall, going to the camp was the best decision I ever made, I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in going. It has certainly changed my life forever and I am so grateful to Brent for doing what he does, Brent, you are so amazing and thankyou so much for being awesome and inspiring me to do amazing things with my life.

lots of love,

Liam Christie

 

Dear Brent,

I attended EmpowerU for the first time in October 2015 knowing very little about the seminar. In Those 2.5 days I learnt more than I could have possibly imagined from the program. Keen to learn more I signed up for the 5-day camp in January 2016.
The 5-days I spent with Brent Williams and the 47 new family members were the best five days out of the 6397 I’ve spent on Earth. Our bodies were pushed to its limits and our emotions were pushed even further. It was an amazing experience filled with moments of love, care, and brutal honesty. I learnt and grew so much in those five days but I can say with honesty that I could go back next year without hesitation and learn just as much or even more.
To anyone reading this that hasn’t heard of EmpowerU I would I highly recommend it without thinking twice. It is a life changing experience and shifted my perception of myself and others.

Aydin Ucan

Games are a reflection of life and the Camp had plenty of Games to challenge participants in many ways

Games are a reflection of life and the Camp had plenty of Games to challenge participants in many ways

Dear Brent,

After just returning from the 5 day empower U camp I can safely say it was the best experience of my life. Throughout the camp my emotions and body were pushed to the absolute max and I learnt valuable lessons that will stay with me for life. The camp was the most intense, difficult, beautiful, heart warming experience I have ever had. The people were so beautiful. I have grown so much as a person and watched those around me into absolutely incredible people. I want to go back again again and again continue to soak up the valuable lessons that I learned and will continue to learn. To anyone that is on the fence about Empower U or hasn’t heard of it research it an do it as it is absolutely life changing and it will shift your perceptions of yourself an the world around you dramatically

Kirsty Barrett

The Campers loved Chris Gray's property talk... and his Lambo too

The Campers loved Chris Gray’s property talk… and his Lambo too

Dear Brent,

I first discovered Tomorrow’s Youth in 2013, and between then and March 2015 I’d done three single day programs and over this there was a slow learning curve, and then I tried Empower U throughout 2015 which was a bit steeper. Having done Empower U I decided that the camp would be the next logical step. But I didn’t quite realise what I was getting myself into.

The single day programs and the weekends had left me with an idea of where I wanted to go in life, and some possible strategies to get there.

The best thing about the camp, however, is that it gave many more questions, why do you want to get there? Where will you go next? But most importantly, Where are you now? This was a question that I’d often dismissed assuming i’d known the answer, but even though it was eventually me that found it, it wasn’t me that led myself there.

The Camp has the potential it has because there are fifty likeminded people there to support each other. But this only works because we all started at similar points due to prior experiences we’d had at Empower U. So I’d recommend this experience to anyone who has completed the Empower U weekend, if they are sure they want to.

Connor Green

For the first time in our history we will be running two camps in a year. Our next 5-Day Camp will be held on the 3rd to 8th July this year. It should be noted that there are only 7 spots left as the other 41 are taken already.

I am blessed to be able to do this work for a living and constantly be inspired by our Youth

I am blessed to be able to do this work for a living and constantly be inspired by our Youth.

Goal Setting: What Do You Want & Why Do Your Want It?

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Goal Setting: What you need to know to get ahead in life - Empower UEmpower U

Life is like a game of soccer; you’re going to get bored very quickly if you don’t have any goals. Goals are simply outcomes that you plan to achieve. Most people never set definite goals for themselves, usually because they want to avoid the disappointment they might feel if they didn’t achieve them. The irony in this situation is, of course, that without goal setting, you are much less likely to achieve them.

A study was conducted amongst graduates of Harvard University. At the 5-year reunion each graduate was asked if they had goals. Many had an idea of what goals were and some even had approximate goals in their head. 3% of the graduates however had clearly defined, written goals.

20 years later (at the 25 year reunion), the graduates were again surveyed. The 3% who had clearly defined written goals were worth more in financial terms than the other 97% combined.

What Do You Want And Why Do You Want It?

Think about the goals you are going to set. Now imagine your six months down the track, after setting these goals.

  • How are you going with them?
  • Have you been doing something everyday that brings you closer to your goal?
  • Has it been easier or harder than you thought it would be?

The biggest challenge people face when setting goals is following through – Once you develop the habit of regularly monitoring your progress towards your goals, achieving them becomes a very manageable task. Achieving a major goal is like eating a huge meal. You have to do it a small bite at a time.

A major reason people don’t achieve their goals is that they don’t really want to. Some people become convinced that they want to own a fast sports car or earn a million dollars, when all they really want is to have people like and admire them. They think that having the car and money will make this happen. This type of goal usually feeds one or more of the six human needs.

A person who sets a goal like this will rarely achieve it, they won’t have the personal drive or passion they need because they are not working towards something that they really want. The other major reason many people don’t follow through on their goals is that at some level they believe that it will be too hard. They decide that achieving it would cause too much pain.

Remember everything we do is either out of our need to avoid pain or our desire to gain pleasure, so make sure the long-term pleasure of achieving your goals outweighs any short-term pain.

Some Helpful Questions to Ask When Setting a Goal:

• What do you want?
• What specifically do you want?
• Why do you want that?
• What specifically will it give you?
• How will you know when you have achieved it?
• How will you FEEL when that happens?

Want to learn more about goal setting and the Empower U program? Download the latest Empower U Program Guide!

Jordan Staude: Success Stories from Empower U

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Jordan Staude, 16 years old - Empower U ParticipantEmpower U

Meet Jordan Staude, an Empower U graduate whose journey from battling anxiety and low self-esteem to becoming a taekwondo black belt and instructor is nothing short of inspirational. Jordan’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of determination, personal growth, and the invaluable lessons learned through the Empower U program. Discover how Jordan harnessed the principles of “Above and below the line” and unwavering commitment to not only achieve her own goals but also inspire others to reach for their highest potential.

Jordan, when you first attended Empower U:

In June 2014.

Your recent successes/ what you have done with your life:

I achieved my black belt in taekwondo. After four years of blood, sweat, tears and incredibly sore muscles I was able to have that belt tied around my waist and know that I’d truly earned it. I have also been taken on as an instructor and now teach others. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I love my sport and I am so grateful to be able to train and teach others who have the same passion I do. Being able to give someone that extra boost of confidence they need to reach their full potential is incredible.

Best memory from Empower U:

The atmosphere of the weekend and the relationships I formed. I made some incredible friends and had the most fun I’ve ever had. Everyone was so supportive and friendly that I felt that I could just be myself. It was an awesome experience and I’ll always remember it as the best weekend of my life.

What lesson have you implemented the most?

I implement two the most – “Above and below the line” and “Do the thing you said you would do, well after the mood you said it in has gone”. Both of which played huge parts in me getting my black belt and just in daily life. Taking ownership of my life and emotions has been incredibly beneficial for me and completely altered my perception of situations. I am now able to look at a seemingly negative situation and turn it around to something positive. Determination also plays an important role in my life. I would never have made it through my training if I gave up every time it got tough. There were times when I wanted to give up, but I was committed – and hard work eventually pays off. Just stay in the race.

How did the program impact your life?

I was really struggling before I attended Empower U. I was very depressed, suffered from anxiety, had very low self-esteem and honestly didn’t see a future for myself. The program gave me the tools, insight and motivation to make a change and save myself. Without the program, I would not be here today. The confidence I have gained is unbelievable and I now feel comfortable in my own skin – something I never dreamed possible for me. I am so grateful for Empower U and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Words don’t do it justice.

What would you say to someone thinking of attending?

Do it. It will be the best experience of your life. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. Just take that leap and commit to the weekend. It will be worth it.

What advice would you give to young people trying to better themselves?

Take control. You control your emotions, actions and results and the only person you can control is you. No one else can do it for you. You have unlimited potential and you can do whatever you put your mind to. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. “Shoot for the moon; even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.”

What has been your greatest lesson in life so far?

Dream big and never give up. And don’t be afraid to try something new. “You miss 100% of the shots you never take in life.” Take ownership of your life and follow your dreams. You can do amazing things.

Jordan Staude attended Empower U in June 2014 and has since gone on to do amazing things. If you would like to learn more about Empower U, download our free program guide.