Josh Shipp
AS SEEN ON MTV - "The Dr. Phil for Teens" -FOX
FaceBook. Podcasts. Webisodes. Blogs.
For most adults, these contemporary communication vehicles elicit little more than a puzzled scratch of the head. But, ask the average young person between the ages of 12 and 24 and they totally get it. Just like they totally get Josh Shipp.
This modern, self-help guru can be found dispensing his own brand of wit and wisdom in cyberspace, in books, on television and radio, at conferences, and to packed audiences of students in high school auditoriums across the country. Listen to him for just a few minutes and you will get it, too. Josh offers up a healthy dose of what he calls “advice with an attitude.” He counsels teenagers on everything they care about and it’s all done in a youth-friendly, humorous tone that is more hilarious survival guide than preachy sermon.
Josh certainly knows a thing or two about survival. Abandoned and abused as a child, he was able to triumph over the tragedy. He attributes his personal growth to the support of a great foster family, dynamic teachers and enriching school programs that opened his eyes to his true potential. After serving as State DECA President and on the School-to-Work student advisory committee, Josh decided to commit his life to helping others achieve their goals.
“I’ve found that sometimes the very thing that has hurt you the most, is the very thing you can use to help others. You can’t change the past -- so why not focus on building an incredible future?”
- Josh Shipp
Although Josh is still in his 20s, you wouldn't know it from his resume. He's written books, shared the stage with Bill Cosby, and hosts a reality TV show. For the past seven years, this California resident has toured the world as a successful motivational speaker sharing his inspirational words with more than one million people. Rest assured that most of them left the room with a broad smile on their face and hope in their heart.
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE OR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY:
Don't be AVERAGE!
Imagine...capturing an audience with laughter, drawing them in, getting comfortable, building trust. When you least expect it, real life comes into view. The true story of a boy left at the hospital, in and out of homes, abused. This sad tale does not end in sadness. It rises above the situations to show how a mess can turn into a message.
Every performance by Josh Shipp is an emotional journey. Your students will laugh at stories of exploding microwaves, and they will play games they haven't thought about since kindergarden. Then, in the next moment, they will experience spine shivers as Josh talks about the barriers that sometimes aim to block our best intentions. It's a lesson in the awesome power of life, and the awesome power of the heart and spirit.
Josh's one-man show style message will stick with your students years from now. Josh understands the struggles that many young people have as they form their identity, define their values, and discover their life purpose. His story of triumph encourages all people to make "a message from the mess.
FEATURED SPEAKER AT:
National FCCLA
National FBLA
National SADD
National Student Council
National Youth Summit
National School to Work
National Teen Leaders
National SADD
National DECA
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Stanford University
UCLA
Youth Entrepreneurs
America's Promise
Colorado FFA
Iowa 4H
Missouri DECA
Oklahoma TSA
People to People
500 School Programs
"In 15 years of being in education, you have got to be the best speaker that I have ever seen when speaking to a group of adults and students. My stomach still hurts from laughing so much. Thank you for your message." -Karla, teacher
