The expectation to have everything figured out way before high school graduation is beyond unrealistic for a young person. What if instead of going down a path because it seems ‘right’ or ‘successful’, you allowed yourself to explore life and allowed that exploration to naturally guide you? Sometimes the most reward lies in doing the things that are looked at as risky and leaning into all that the world has to offer.

 Mike Balotti, founder of Redwood Educational Services LLC, knew when he graduated high school that he was not ready for college but everyone urged him to go anyway. Once he got to college, his efforts quickly sizzled out. After some random jobs and life questioning, Mike realized he wanted to pursue academics but with a twist than the regular college setting. After being introduced to a therapeutic consultant and an experiential education program, Mike was finally able to step into something that worked for him. Now Mike gets to guide students like him and families through their personal and academic journeys. 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Mike joins Joanna to share his journey going from getting kicked out of his parents house and lost, to traveling the world guiding lost students and their families. Mike’s determination to find something that works for him in his life paid off and is proof that it can work for you as well, wherever you find yourself. Listen in for Mike’s insight on how patience and good people has brought him to a life that works for him instead of against him, and how you can do the same.

What You Will Learn

• Education being seen as a key to success in the family
• What going to a Quaker high school means
• Not feeling ready to go straight to college after high school
• Leaving college is okay.  Not having a plan, is not okay!
• How Mike’s parents reacted to him leaving college
• How Mike’s parents referred him to a consultant when he asked for help. It’s okay to not have all the answers yourself!
• Why you need to hire a Therapeutic Consultant [no-so-shameless plug!]
• The experiential education program that allowed Mike to really explore his interests while still being involved in academics
• Being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 26 
• The big move to Costa Rica to start a school
• Having people to look up to and be surrounded by
• There are more options besides just college! College isn’t going anywhere
• The world will present what you need when you need it if you’re patient and are surrounded by the right people. Life isn’t a linear line from A to B 

Connect with Mike Balottie

• Mike Balotti of the Redwood Educational Service, LLC 
• Email [email protected]

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

It can be hard enough going into college at a young age wondering what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. With that comes many opinions being thrown out from every direction while also being surrounded by many other young adults, each on their own unique journey. It can be hard to not compare or question your own journey and passions. Though just because there might be doubt or question, doesn’t mean you aren’t fit for whatever you’re interested in pursuing!

Kim Nelson, a mom, wife, artist and National Outreach Coordinator at CooperRiis Healing Community, struggled to believe that she could pursue her passion for art as a career. With a little bit of encouragement from her high school teachers and a mentor in college, she managed to get past her imposter syndrome and receive a Master’s degree in Art Therapy, all while being a full time mom and wife! Although Art Therapy is her passion, she is beyond happy to be spreading the good "CooperRiis word" as she calls it, from coast to coast as their National Outreach Coordinator. 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Kim joins Joanna to share her journey going from a lost student, to a driven mom and an inspiration. Kim’s story and work helps those experiencing mental health challenges to find hope, believe in their dreams, and live out their passion. Listen in for Kim’s insight on how she navigated getting past imposter syndrome in college and how important it was for her to have the right people encouraging her along the way. 

What You Will Learn

• Having a drive to make college work 
•  Growing up focused on the arts! 
• Having high school teachers who encouraged Kim to pursue art in college
• Being the first of 5 siblings to go to college
• After researching Imposter Syndrome, it was a huge “ah ha!” moment for Kim
• Feeling rushed to graduate but College isn’t going anywhere!
• Getting a job after college unrelated to her degree
• Getting back to Kim’s art roots
• The gratitude Kim has for Lesley University's Art Therapy Program
• Going to school while being a mom
• The importance of finding a mentor and seeking advice 

Connect with Kim Nelson

• Kim Nelson of the CooperRiis Healing Community
• Email [email protected]

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast
• Success is Subjective on Google Podcast
• Success is Subjective on Tune in Radio
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

It can be so easy to take on everyone’s ideas and opinions. Do this, do that, work here, don’t go there...It can be good to hear different ideas and backgrounds but at the end of the day it’s your life to live and not theirs. Their definition of success and fulfillment might not be what works for you.

Ethan Knight, Founder and Executive Director of the Gap Year Association, grew up thinking he needed to follow a set path to ‘succeed’ in life. It wasn’t until Ethan’s first gap year while in college when his idea of success for himself really changed and allowed him to realize that he was living someone else’s definition of success. His journey really took off from there and his passion for gap year experiences and traveling has never stopped growing. He’s since then traveled to more than 50 countries, co-authored the Fair Trade Learning Standards and the Gap Year Standards, launched two nonprofits, one college, and three for-profit organizations. Not only has Ethan helped lead students while traveling abroad, he also has professionally supported more than 2,000 students on their own gap year experiences.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Ethan joins Joanna to share his journey going from following the herd in college, to coming to find his own version of success through his gap year experiences. Ethan’s time off of college led him to the amazing work he does now helping students from all backgrounds. Listen in for Ethan’s insight on going against the herd mentality and living out your own definition of success.

What You Will Learn

• What it means to be raised “educationally affluent”
• Dealing with parents getting a divorce at the age of 12 
• How Ethan got introduced to the idea of a gap year for the first time  
• “Mom, I want to go on a gap year.”  How parents can respond when their adult child says I want to defer to take a break from college.  
• What it means to “follow the herd” in going to college 
• How shocking it’d be if you calculate the amount of money per minute for a college instruction, especially if a student isn’t taking their studies seriously!
• When Ethan decided to take a gap year in college. Taking a break from college is okay, but you must have a plan! 
• How to properly take a gap year abroad in the middle of college
• Being introduced to different ways of life 
• You cannot live out someone else’s definition of success.  That is not success. 
• How much ownership Ethan had coming back to college after his gap year experience
• Going on to do a study abroad program junior year
• What it means to go from park to drive in your life
• The Gap Year Association’s collection of the College Deferral Process
• The major benefits that most people see from a gap year. College can wait! 

Connect with Ethan Knight

• Ethan Knight of the Gap Year Association 
• Contact: [email protected] 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

As much as you might think you can do anything and everything on your own. That’s just not the truth. At some point we all fall short because we aren’t meant to be everything. 

Eliot Andre, Recreational Therapist and owner of Connected Roots Therapy, grew up with academics not coming easy. From dealing with Dyslexia and the heavy pressure from his parents, he found himself hitting a wall where he needed to learn to live for himself. In that, Elliot made the choice to explore life and travel during college and through hard work he was able to graduate early in the midst of it all. From traveling and exploring different careers, Elliot found his passion in working with people and works as a Recreational Therapist at Connected Roots Therapy with his wife, Lauren.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Eliot joins Joanna to share his journey as he traveled around the world during college and how his experiences led him to a life he finds success in, as a business owner, a mentor and a husband. The choice Eliot took to travel during college while working to graduate early, has been one of the most impactful experiences of his life to this day. Listen in for Eliot’s insight on how imperative not only hard work is but also having a community of people is, anywhere life takes you.

What You Will Learn

• Growing up with success being determined by college
• Growing up with Dyslexia
• The struggle to find a college that could support him and using a guide to help
• How important it was to participate in the IEP program at DU
• How dating in college impacted Elliot’s academics 
• Taking time to travel to Niagara and Guatemala sophomore year and how it affected Eliot Taking a break from college is okay! 
• Traveling abroad to Southeast Asia for 16 weeks his Junior year
• How transforming cultural immersion was as a young adult
• The growth and independence that comes with traveling and making the choice himself
• How Eliot managed to do all this traveling and still graduate early
• The struggle Eliot had finding a job after college
• The quarter life crisis that sent Eliot back to school to become a Recreational Therapist
• The business that Eliot and his wife own now
• Eliot’s experience with how important hard work and community has been in his life

Connect with Elliot Andre

• Eliot Andre of Connected Roots Therapy out of Boulder, CO.
• Hatted Therapist Podcast
• Contact information on Psychology Today, or email [email protected]

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

Growing up, we develop these dreams that we can easily become attached to, forgetting that life doesn’t always play by our rules. Learning to become open minded to what life has in store can potentially allow those dreams to become even better than you would ever expect.

Nikki Bruno, an Academic Performance Coach and a sailor, always dreamed that she would become a Marine Biologist and travel the world. That dream didn’t come true though, she now gets to be a scientist and sail the world which has turned out to be even better than she dreamed. 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Nikki joins Joanna to share her story going from the kid who dreamed to be a dolphin trainer, to becoming a sailor and scientist who encourages her students to be scientists themselves. Nikki’s dreams changed but she found more fulfillment in the change and is an example to her students that you CAN do what makes you happy no matter what life throws at you. Listen in for Nikki’s insight on how she has learned to keep an open mind on her life journey, leading her to a life that she can truly live. 

What You Will Learn

• Nikki putting a lot of pressure on herself with academics from a young age
• How Nikki’s parents were supportive in academics but lacked in support in other areas 
• Wanting to be a dolphin trainer as a child and pursuing that vision 
• The importance of being engaged in college, but also finding balance as a healthy college student 
• Knowing that you have undiagnosed ADHD, and getting the accommodations needed to be successful  
• Knowing college will be stressful, but taking steps to limit your stress
• How even the strongest academic students can struggle socially in college 
• Having a back up career plan 
• Nikki leaving the back up plan of teaching in order to prioritize mental health
• Starting a coaching business from scratch 
• Having a super cool side-job sailing around the world
• Being okay with the path now, rather than the path she thought she’d have 

Connect with Nikki Bruno

• Nikki Bruno of Student Coaching Services
• Call 732-903-5327 
• Email [email protected] 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

There’s the saying by Mark Twain, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” That statement can sadly be hard for many to believe. Is it truly possible to make a living doing what you thoroughly enjoy? 

John Cohen has built up quite a bit of experience in his life. From volunteering at a psychiatric hospital, to working at the first mental health unit serving juvenile offenders for 18 years, to eventually finding his path in Wilderness Therapy, and recently started 2 young adult wilderness programs. In every step of John’s journey he has made sure that he enjoys what he is doing, prioritizing his well being. After he found out about Wilderness Therapy, he decided to combine his love for the outdoors with his passion in working with kids and young adults. John now finds happiness as an Expanse Clinical Director at WinGate Wilderness Therapy.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, John joins Joanna to share his journey going from a lost student with a 1.1 GPA in his freshman year college, to now wearing that as a badge of honor, as it shows the experience he’s gone through to get to the place he’s at now, living his best life. John’s journey shows that it is possible to do what you enjoy for a living, and is someone who always prioritizes that in his life. It might not always be an easy ride, but it will always be worth it. Listen in for insight on how John uses passion as his drive and stays dedicated in providing young adults and their families, effective therapy through genuine connection.

What You Will Learn

• What John thought college was going to be like 
• How much John wasn’t mentally ready for college
• The importance of growing up before going to college, rather than following the herd
• What made John leave after his freshman year
• What John did after his freshman year
• When John went back to college
• How one professor profoundly impacted John’s life and career path
• What led John to start volunteering at a psychiatric hospital
• What the years after he received his bachelor's degree looked like
• John’s experience being apart of the first mental health unit, serving juvenile offenders 
• What brought John to leave the the juvenile justice system and pursue wilderness therapy
• How wilderness therapy was an awakening time in John’s life
• The lessons that John learned at the first program he worked for
• What eventually led John to Wingate
• The importance of making sure whatever you do makes you happy
• How the experiences John has gained is what brought him to his best life
• John’s advice to parents and the importance of being vulnerable with your young adult

Connect with John Cohen

• WinGate Wilderness Therapy
• John Cohen at WinGate Wilderness Therapy
• Admissions Contact: (800) 560-1599 
• Email [email protected]
• John’s coaching program: Momentum Coaching

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

Usually what’s going on the outside is a mirror with what’s going on the inside. Whether it’s not performing well in school, work, etc, those outcomes usually are because of something else going on. How do you expect yourself to give A+ work if you feel like a D-?

Ryan Potter, Clinical Director at Voyage Recovery, found himself struggling with school and drugs while in college and it only worsened as he continued to neglect his own health. It wasn’t until his parents stepped in and got him in treatment that he developed self care for himself, transforming his life. Having the time to focus solely on his wellbeing was crucial for Ryan’s recovery process, allowing him to step back into his true self. From there he went back to school with a strong work ethic and drive. After over a decade of work in substance use disorder treatment, Ryan now works with young adults and their families, guiding and supporting them throughout the treatment process.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Ryan joins Joanna to share his journey going from being kicked out of college, to having a fast career rise after treatment with a huge passion and work ethic. Once Ryan took the time to work on himself, everything took off from there in his life.

Listen in for Ryan’s insight on the importance in prioritizing your wellbeing in order to show up well in life and how he helps people in treatment do the same.

What You Will Learn

• College not being an option growing up for Ryan
• Joining a fraternity freshman year of college
• Landing on Academic Probation in first semester of college
• Cognitive Dissonance, not making changes to be successful, and being kicked out of school
• Having to leave school after building a social network
• How transferring without getting help will only produce the same results but on a different campus
• Having blind optimism with school
• How it is okay to take a break from college to go to treatment 
• Why it was so important for Ryan to not focus on school in extended treatment
• What happened when Ryan got back to himself and his passions
• Becoming a student with a really strong work ethic 
• The very fast career rise that Ryan had because of his work ethic and mentors
• What makes Voyage Recovery so special 
• You are only as good as how well you take care of yourself

Connect with Ryan Potter

• Ryan Potter of Voyage Recovery 
• Admissions Contact: Call 772-245-8345 or email [email protected]

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected] 

What do you want to do with your life? Do YOU want to do that or is that what your parents want, your friends are doing, or because you were handed an offer that looks like it’d save you money? Is there an external motivator pushing you to do something or do you truly want it for yourself?

Angie Shockley, a successful entrepreneur with several businesses for young adults, had an idea on what she wanted to do with her life coming out of high school but she felt like she had to go to college immediately in order to make that happen. Her intention behind starting school immediately led her to many learning experiences, as she lacked the life skills she needed in her early adult years. It definitely caused a more strenuous path for her while in college, though she preserved with her passion for teaching and used the growth she’s gained to lead young adults who are in the same shoes. She has founded Q&A Associates and Saddles and Smiles to help young adults gain life skills, confidence, experience and maturity as they transition into independent living.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Angie joins Joanna to share her experience as she navigated college and her early adult years without the life skills she really needed. Angie learned a lot as she explored life as a young adult and she wouldn’t be where she is today without each experience. Listen in for Angie’s insight on the importance of preparing young adults with the social and life skills they desperately need for the real world, in order to self-advocate in their own unique path.

What You Will Learn

Collegiate Athletics and what can happen when you have a major injury

Having a serious relationship during college

Getting married young

As a parent, how you respond to your kid choosing not to return to college after their first semester 

Going back to college to finish her degree in education

Going through a divorce at a young age

Moving back home and pursuing a master’s degree while being a single mom

How high school isn’t preparing young people for the college experience 

It’s okay to not go straight to college after high school

The importance of gaining social and life skills 

Angie’s focus when working with young adults

Getting in tune with the intention you have for yourself 

Connect with Angie Shockley

Angie Shockley of Q&A Associates

Call 304-704-6383

Email [email protected]

Email  [email protected]

Saddles and Smiles Non Profit

Resources

A shameless plug for West Virginia University (since we’re both graduates!); and specifically, the Dr. Jennifer Randall Reyes’ program that she’s creating. 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com

Email [email protected]

Have you ever felt a strong pull towards something? Yet, you’re still unsure whether you’re just thinking things or if the feeling is something worth listening to? In this fast paced world, always going, going, going, it’s easy for all the noise to quickly cloud those gut feelings, in return, losing a lot of time and money. 

Ty Maves, co-founder and Executive Director of True North Wilderness, knew he needed something different in his life than the standard path. From originally being a Russian and an International Relations major, to eventually working at a wilderness therapy program, Ty has learned that stepping into your complete interest takes time. Going from thinking wilderness programs were insane, to working at one for 4 years as a guide and then going back for another several years as a therapist, Ty has found wilderness therapy to be, by far, the best education he has ever received in psychology. Ty now runs his own business in wilderness therapy and continues to step into further interests, in leadership and optimizing business. 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Ty joins Joanna to share his journey on how he managed to find his path in the field of wilderness therapy for what turned out to be 20 years. He shares how he learned to trust his gut on what he needed in life, which eventually led him to co-found True North Wilderness Program with his wife. Listen in for insight on Ty’s story of how he learned to listen to his gut and grow that feeling into something meaningful, where he now works to provide an inspiring experience for positive change in nature for adolescents, young adults, and their families.

What You Will Learn

• The expectations Ty’s parents had on him growing up
• The tough choice of moving schools due to feeling out of place
• How Ty felt about school
• Ty’s determination to make things work when deciding to drop out of college
• What Ty did during his year off of school
• What made Ty fall in love with working with people and interested in psychology
• How different college was for Ty once he had a passion for what he was studying
• What led Ty to use his degree in wilderness therapy
• What led Ty and his wife to start their own business in wilderness therapy in Vermont
• How Ty’s business has led him to new interests that he’s exploring
• The importance on how parents respond to their kids and the paths they choose to take
• Why trusting your gut is one of the most important things you can do

Connect with Ty Maves

• True North Wilderness
• Ty Maves at True North Wilderness
• True North Wilderness on Instagram
• True North Wilderness on Facebook
• Email [email protected] or [email protected] 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com
• Email [email protected]

There is no set timeline that you are supposed to be on in the grand scheme of things. Maybe from your parent’s point of view, or your peers, or your teachers but in reality, there isn’t one linear path you should be on. So what’s the rush? Academics will always be there. Though, your mind and body won’t last forever.

Nick Slovak, Executive Director of Green Hill Recovery, has a position that comes with a lot of stressors that would have been very difficult to deal with before recovery. Starting in high school, Nick was kicked out for substance abuse and even though he had a taste of change in boarding school, his drug use continued through the years and into college. He eventually found out that sobriety and school were not a good mix for him and chose to focus on his recovery, which is one of the best decisions he made for himself. Recovery ended up providing Nick the emotional and life skills he had been longing for. When Nick decided to go back to school after recovery, he started his work at an extended care program and has been working in the field ever since and is in the process of getting his Master’s in Business Administration. 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Nick joins Joanna to share his experience as an addict in college and his journey of sobriety that eventually led him to work with emerging adults going through early recovery. Nick’s non-linear experience has allowed him to show his clients that there is no set path, opening up a whole new world to them. Listen in for Nick’s insight on the importance of advocating for yourself in order to save your own life and live it to the fullest, instead of waiting for the ‘right’ time because time runs out.

What You Will Learn

Being an Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACOA)

Getting kicked out of high school

Being kicked out of college a semester in

Transferring colleges without help will not change your academic experience; and a checkered academic past is more common than we talk about 

College can wait!  It’s more important to get help rather than soldier on in higher education

Understanding the difference between sobriety and recovery

Feeling so far behind and hopeless

Why extended care and easing back into academics will set a person up for success on campus 

The importance of having a support system

Life isn’t a linear line from A to B 

It’s okay to take a break to work on yourself

Connect with Nick Slovak

Nick Slovak of Green Hill Recovery

Email [email protected]  

Call 984-204-1106 or Email [email protected] 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Sponsored by: www.ParentTrainers.com

Email [email protected]