BIO
Jeff Yalden, CSP, is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed, youth motivational speaker who has an extraordinary ability to connect with young people.
Since 1994, Jeff Yalden has been bringing his positive life-changing message to teens, pre-teens, teachers and parents at school assemblies and youth conferences across the country. He has appeared as a teen life coach on MTV’s “MADE” reality TV series and is the author of four books. Today, Jeff Yalden is the world’s most-requested and widely traveled youth speaker.
Jeff’s unique gift is his ability to relate to students on their level in a language and style they respect. Young people love Jeff’s frank don’t-mess-with-me style. He makes teens laugh. He commands their attention. He makes teens think.
Teens have issues. Jeff has lived them!
Teens live in a different culture. Jeff can relate!
Teens speak, act and dress differently. Jeff gets it!
Jeff’s honest, humorous and sometimes painful retelling of stories from his own life, together with his direct style, gets through to students. A skilled motivator, this dynamic, straight-talking speaker leads audiences on a hold-onto-your seat rollercoaster ride. No one pours as much soul and passion into their presentations as Jeff Yalden.
Go to www.jeffyalden.com to see video clips of Jeff in action. Or call 1.800.948.9289, and speak with Sabrina, Jeff’s National Coordinator, for information or to schedule a presentation.
PRESENTATIONS
MIDDLE SCHOOL & JUNIOR HIGH ASSEMBLIES
Take Time to Think: Your Choices Matter
“Who you are today is about who you were yesterday and the choices you made then.” – Jeff Yalden
Jeff’s “take time to think” mantra is central to all of his youth presentations – never more so than when he speaks to middle school and junior high students. Jeff knows full well that the stresses of school, family, peer pressure and puberty put our youth at risk of making poor choices they may someday regret.
Jeff’s honest, sometimes painful and often funny retelling of stories from his own life, together with his direct, energized style, gets through to students. He interlaces vivid personal accounts with lessons that help young teens and pre-teens see the power of attitude, character, responsibility and integrity in shaping their lives.
This program emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not buckling to peer pressure. Using his favorite visual metaphor – fill your cup – Jeff shows how hard work, self-respect and respect for others will lead to choices that fill one’s cup, not empty it.
Students will understand the transformative power of Jeff’s 5 golden traits:
Personal responsibility
Healthy friendships
A positive attitude
Strength of character
A loving heart.
I. Take Time to Think: Choices Build Character
At the start of this program Jeff promises the kids that two things will change for them by the end of their time with him:
- They will learn about the consequences of their choices.
- They will find a purpose in life that is bigger than themselves.
Jeff connects with his high school audiences by telling them his vivid, often funny, sometimes painful and always honest account of his own rollercoaster journey. As he describes the dark moments, obstacles and achievements in his life, he drives home his message of accountability, integrity and mutual respect. Students come away believing they too can make a difference in the world.
Jeff punctuates his talk with his favorite “fill your cup” metaphor, giving teens a powerful visual reminder of the impact of their positive and negative decisions. His “take time to think” theme is woven throughout the program.
This program guides teens to an understanding of how attitude influences choices, choices build character, and character determines the course of one’s life.
Teens listen because Jeff tells the truth in a direct, forceful and respectful manner. Jeff relates to teens by speaking at their level. He understands them and they understand him. After all, he is a father figure, teacher, and coach.
II. About Life!
Teens who live in a fog, wandering around aimlessly, are prime candidates for apathy, depression, drugs and violence. The About Life program is about getting out of the fog. Jeff uses dramatic stories from his own life to illustrate and reinforce his message: AWAKEN to who you are. Discover your purpose. The fog will lift. A new life will begin to unfold.
The About Life program alerts students to the importance of building their lives on a foundation of self-acceptance, mutual respect, authenticity and healthy decision-making. Jeff encourages teens to look beyond short-term satisfaction, seek out positive influences and aim high.
Students will understand the transformative power of Jeff’s 5 golden traits:
Personal responsibility
Healthy friendships
A positive attitude
Strength of character
A loving heart.
For many teens, the About Life program proves to be a defining moment, opening them to the possibility of rebuilding their lives with a sense of purpose and character. Don’t be surprised to see tears welling up in the eyes of even the toughest kids as Jeff breaks through their walls and defenses and opens their hearts to new meaning and direction.
This powerful program speaks straight to the hearts of young people and will hit home with everyone from the most hardened teens to your student council president. As one student said, “Jeff is funny but also serious and to the point, in a way that we listen to. He understands us.”
STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
I. Student Leader Workshops
Jeff’s Student Leader Workshop features participatory problem-solving exercises that are guaranteed to push student leaders beyond their usual comfort zones – and to get teens up and moving.
Jeff’s team exercises give teens a memorable experiential lesson in the value of teamwork, communication, togetherness and persistence. Student leaders practice thinking creatively, independently and strategically, while working together to identify solutions to seemingly insolvable tasks. Participants learn essential leadership principles and acquire valuable leadership tools. As your student leaders work together to solve problems, you may be surprised to see who takes charge and who follows.
This dynamic program is effective for the full spectrum of learning styles.
Keep in Mind
Jeff custom-tailors his presentations to your objectives, theme and format and adapts his content to suit each audience.
Jeff knows his audiences. Whether speaking to middle school students or high school teens, troubled youth or student leaders, parents or teachers, Jeff connects!
Jeff’s programs are always age-appropriate.
Jeff is real. He speaks to students and teens in concrete language and in a manner they understand. If you can’t reach them, you can’t teach them!
Jeff is flexible. Workshops, presentations and in-service programs are offered as full-day, half-day or hour-long events. You choose.
COST
Special Pricing for Operation Snowball: $3,500.00 (All Inclusive of Travel & Loding).
