"Send Ben a text"

Day 1 The Origin of The Hero

Day one was the scariest day for me. 

I've spoken in public many times, but this time was different, it was in front of hundreds of teenagers. 

At most, we probably only spoke to about 200-250 students at a time, but that's a lot of teens. 

The goal was to share a message that was fun and entertaining, yet educational and motivating, and from each period we wanted to get about 10 to 20 students to signup for our 4-day boot camp.

It was amazing to speak to this many students, and it was fun to see the students that were really catching the message, and they were excited to join the boot camp. 

The message was basically that it's easy to live the life of a sidekick but way more fulfilling to live life as your own hero.

We shared the message of me accidentally lighting my school bus on fire which really hooked a lot of the kids and shared how, even if you make mistakes, you can still become a hero. 

Every good hero has a good origin story. 

No matter what your past looks like, you can start being your own hero TODAY!

Day 2 Hero Thoughts vs Sidekick Thoughts

Day 2 was a lot of fun. This is where we met with the 10-25 kids that signed up with us from the day before and we taught them the difference between facts and stories and the difference between hero thoughts and sidekick thoughts.

Day 3 Managing Tough Emotions

On day 3 we taught about managing tough emotions. 

We taught that emotions can't hurt you and that allowing them is better than avoiding, resisting, or ignoring them.

Day 4 Let Your Hero Be Your Guide

Day four was my favorite, and by the responses that we got from the students, day four was by far the fan favorite. 

On this day we taught that you are responsible for yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, your actions, and your results. 

We taught about hero thoughts vs. sidekick thoughts and how we have thoughts that don't really help us to be the person we want to be. We taught that you can choose which thoughts you listen to and let guide your life. 

Day 5 "To Be Honest, It's Like The Avengers, But In School!"

Day 5 we closed with Joey's story of the crow and how, now that the students know how to fly, it's important to intentionally fly rather than simply going back to their old ways. 

We also asked had a discussion about the things they learned and how they hope to apply those things to their lives. 

Most of the students LOVED the week-long boot camp. 

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the students in their exit survey responses.

• "To be honest it's like the Avengers, but in a school."
• "It's magical you have to go and see yourself."
• "This bootcamp is a hands on experience that helps you control your emotions."
• "The best experience I have had in middle school."
• "The lead your life boot camp is a really peaceful place where you can feel open to be your self."
• "I would describe it as a place to help find the superhero in you and help you control your life."
• "Thank you so much Ben and Joey. I feel like I became more aware that I'm in control of my emotions and my life."

Seriously, it was magic

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