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Hey everyone,

Get ready for an inspiring episode of the podcast! I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with my good friend and former colleague, Damon Parker.

Damon and I worked together for years as educators, and I was so excited to reconnect with him and hear about his incredible journey since then.

Now, if you're thinking, "Another podcast episode about education?", think again! This conversation went far beyond the classroom. We talked about Damon's transition from teaching to becoming a mental health advocate, a sought-after speaker, and even a championship-winning wrestling coach! Talk about wearing many hats!

Damon's work with teens and mental health is particularly close to my heart. He shared some powerful insights on how he helps young people navigate the challenges they face today, including the importance of:

Shifting focus from outcomes to relationships and being present. This resonated so much with me, as it aligns with my own approach to counseling.

Investing in relationship building with people outside of their usual social circles. This is something I think we could all benefit from!

Learning conflict resolution skills and understanding that healthy coexistence doesn't require loving everyone. This is such a crucial skill for young people (and adults too!).

Damon also shared how he applies these principles to coaching, which has led to remarkable success for his wrestling team.

We also had a candid discussion about the pressures facing teens today, from the overwhelming demands of academics and extracurriculars to the constant presence of technology.

I know you'll find Damon's story and his practical advice as inspiring and thought-provoking as I did. I highly encourage you to listen to the full episode for all the gems he shared.

Don't forget to check below for more information about Damon's work, including his free mental health talks for schools in Kansas and surrounding states, as well as his professional speaking engagements for businesses and corporations across the US.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this powerful episode!

More about my guest, Damon Parker:
Damon Parker has forged a unique career path as a professional speaker, nonprofit leader, and championship coach. He delivers keynotes on mental health, high-performance leadership, and DEI, helping organizations and individuals thrive. As Executive Director of The Jones Project, Damon has reached over 60,000 students with messages of hope and resilience. Additionally, he leads the nation’s largest all-female wrestling team at Washburn Rural High School, guiding them to multiple state championships, including a historic double title win in 2021. Damon’s work inspires transformation across industries, communities, and sports.

Get in contact with Damon:
https://dot.cards/damonparker
https://www.damonparkerspeaks.com/
https://thejonesproject.org/
damon@thejonesproject.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejonesprojectks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejonesproject2023/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejonesprojectks

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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