If you spend time with teens and young adults, you’ve probably heard resilience described as something a young person either has or doesn’t have. She’s so resilient. He just doesn’t bounce back. It sounds like a compliment or a diagnosis, something fixed at birth. The research tells a different story, and it’s far more hopeful. […]
Quick answer: Mental fitness refers to a young person’s ability to manage emotions, build resilience, and maintain psychological well-being over time. Youth well-being coaches play a key role in this development by creating supportive environments where young people can strengthen these skills through guided, practical coaching. Young people today face a level of psychological pressure […]
At Youth Coaching Institute, we have spent 13 years working at the intersection of behavioral science and human potential. We know that coaching is fundamentally about building the skills young people carry with them long after a session ends. The goal has never been a young person who needs their coach. It has always been […]
Have you ever asked a teenager, “What are your goals?” only to be met with a blank stare, a shrug, or an eye roll? You are not alone. For many young people, the very word “goal” carries heavy baggage. It can feel like a demand from the adult world, a pressure cooker of expectations, or […]
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, but sometimes life throws a curveball that feels unmanageable. Whether it is a sudden health diagnosis, a parental divorce, a cross-country move, or a mental health struggle, these major disruptions often leave teens feeling powerless. They may feel like life is happening to them, rather than feeling like […]
As an educator, coach, or parent you know that some students seem to navigate their academic journey with ease while others face significant hurdles. The difference often lies not in their inherent ability but in their capacity for self-regulated learning (SRL). This set of skills allows students to take charge of their own learning process. […]
Adolescent lying often leaves parents and educators feeling frustrated and confused. Understanding the complex developmental factors behind teen lying can transform how we approach these challenging moments and help build stronger, more trusting relationships. Research reveals that lying during adolescence represents far more than simple defiance or moral failing. Instead, it reflects a complex intersection […]
Imposter syndrome affects millions of adolescents, leaving capable young people questioning their worth and abilities. As an educator or youth coach, you hold the power to help teens recognize their authentic achievements and build lasting confidence. Understanding how to support young people through these feelings of inadequacy can transform their academic performance, social relationships, and […]
The workplace your students will enter looks nothing like the one you knew. Advances in technology continue to reshape industries, introduce new career paths, and shift the skills that matter most. For educators, coaches, and parents, understanding these changes isn’t just useful—it’s essential for guiding the next generation toward meaningful, sustainable careers. Drawing from the […]
School should be a place where young minds flourish, not a source of chronic stress that leaves students depleted. Yet many educators witness students struggling with what Finnish psychologist Katariina Salmela-Aro (2009) identified as school burnout—a condition as real and debilitating as workplace burnout, but affecting our most vulnerable learners. Understanding the difference between school […]
