In this heartfelt episode of The Elevated Hope Project, we sit down with Sean "Tarzan" Strickland—not the UFC fighter, but the equally tough and inspiring special education teacher at Elevated Education. From childhood surgeries and leg braces to bench pressing 400 pounds and mentoring students who've survived unimaginable hardship, Sean shares his journey of resilience, perspective, and unwavering commitment to the power of community.

We dive deep into how his own challenges shaped his mindset, his passion for working with at-risk youth, and why he made the bold leap from IT director to special ed teacher. Sean opens up about the strategies he uses to build trust, keep students on track, and help them believe in their potential—even when the world tells them they can't.

This episode is packed with powerful moments, heartfelt stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it truly means to lead with hope, empathy, and relentless support. Whether you're an educator, parent, or student, Sean's story will leave you inspired to show up, do the work, and be the person who says, "Yes, you can."

0:00 – Introduction and Welcome 4:05 – Sean's Background and Early Life 20:54 – Impact of Community and Support 21:10 – Sean's Teaching Philosophy and Strategies 29:46 – Challenges and Resilience 30:04 – Sean's Journey into Special Education 34:41 – AI in Education 41:58 – Inspirational Student Stories 45:18 – Final Reflections and Gratitude