Jeff Yalden overcame incredible odds to become the man he is today. As a teenager, he lost interest in life, in school, in himself. He took the SATs twice and received very low scores. Worse, Jeff suffered from a stutter, a facial tic, bad acne, and a learning disability. His self-esteem in the gutter, Jeff graduated high school 128th in a class of 133.

Yalden draws on the grace of that darkest hour to help today’s youth transform their own lives. Jeff believes that success comes down to our worldview, and our relationships with others. He believes that success in life – fulfillment and service – depends on the attitude we take from the moment we step out of bed.

He has become an in-demand youth motivational speaker in North America, having captured the imagination of nearly 4,000 teen audiences around the world. Jeff earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation in 2002, the highest designation by the National Speakers Association and a distinction earned by fewer than 10% of all speakers.

Yalden routinely presents for family and social service organizations, high school and middle school assemblies and often is a keynote speaker for many state and national leadership organizations such as SADD, FBLA, FFA, STUCO, FCCLA, BPA, FHA, WE DAY, The National PRIDE World Drug-Free Conference, National Speakers Association, National Student Council, and many more. Along with his youth programs for high school and middle school assemblies, youth leadership conferences, and many different teen events, Jeff also speaks to teachers, parents, and adult corporate audiences.

Yalden appears routinely in print, a subject for newspapers and magazines across the country. He is the author of Your Life Matters, They Call Me Coach, Keep It Simple, 20 Ways To Keep It Simple, and Traits of a Leader. He co-authored Lead Now or Step Aside and contributed to The New York Times bestseller, A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Yalden has addressed audiences in all 50 states, 48 countries, and every Province in Canada. He’s addressed thousands of assemblies in middle schools, high schools, and usually keynotes major teen leadership/youth conferences, colleges, and universities. Seventy million viewers know him as “Life Coach” on MTV’s longest-running reality show, MADE.

Personal Growth, Education Professionals, Parenting, Teacher Motivation, Convocation, At-Risk Youth, School Assembly, For Young Audiences, Education Industry, Education, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Motivational, Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity, Health, Youth Development Suicide Prevention,