I Had Everything in High School, But No One Knew What I Was Hiding
What Were You Like in High School?
In high school, I had a lot going for me. I was an athlete. I was popular. I was a pretty decent student.
And I was incredibly insecure.
Not the kind of insecurity people could see. No one would have said, “That guy struggles with confidence.” In fact, it was just the opposite.
But inside? I constantly questioned myself.
Was I good enough?
What if I failed?
Do these people really like me?
I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. I know that now. But back then, I never would have admitted it. I may have been cocky, but that was to mask the fear inside me. That’s the thing about high school. Even the most popular kids have confidence issues. The ones who look like they have it all together? They’re just as unsure as everyone else. They learn how to cover it up.
I sometimes forget to relate to my boys from my teen years. That would scare the hell out of me.
There’s a pressure to look cool, always be in control, and never show weakness. The kids who get straight A’s? They’re terrified of letting people down. The athletes? They’re scared of failure, of losing their edge. The ones who always seem to be laughing? Sometimes, they’re laughing to keep the sadness from seeping through.
Does this remind you of anyone?
Maybe your younger self.
Maybe your kids.
Maybe the teenager you just passed on the street.
It’s easy to assume kids today are different. That they’ve got it figured out. That they don’t need as much guidance as we did.
They need it more than ever.
What Happens When Teens Don’t Have Safe Spaces?
I was lucky. I had people who believed in me, not just my parents and coaches but also mentors who saw past the surface and challenged me in ways that made me better. I didn’t realize they were my mentors, but I have learned their impact on my future over the decades.
But not every kid has that.
And when they don’t?
They bottle up emotions → leading to stress, anxiety, and self-doubt.
They turn to social media for validation → comparing their worst moments to someone else’s highlight reel.
They avoid asking for help → because they think struggling makes them weak.
That’s what makes mentorship so powerful. Not as another authority figure but as someone who listens, who gets it, who reminds them that vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength.
Why Mentorship Works: The Science of Confidence
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.
And you don’t build it by pretending to have it all together. You make it by seeing someone who’s been where you are, understands, and guides you on navigating it.
That’s why mentorship isn’t about giving advice. It’s about:
✔️ Listening first.
✔️ Guiding, not fixing.
✔️ Helping young people see their strength, even when they can’t.
It’s about creating a space where someone feels safe enough to be real.
And for a lot of teens, that’s life-changing.
Who Needs a Mentor? (Hint: Everyone.)
There’s a common belief that only struggling kids need mentors. That mentorship is just for the ones who are “at risk.”
That’s not true.
Mentorship is for:
✔️ The overachiever who ties their self-worth to success.
✔️ The popular kid who still feels like they’re not enough.
✔️ The quiet one who doesn’t know how to use their voice.
✔️ The kid who seems fine but deep down is carrying weight no one sees.
No matter how they appear on the outside, every young person benefits from having someone in their corner.
I know I would have.
What If You Could Be That Person?
Think back to your younger self.
What did you struggle with that no one knew?
What advice would have changed everything for you?
Who was the person that made a difference in your life?
Now imagine being that person for someone else.
Because here’s the thing: You don’t need to be perfect to be a great mentor. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You need to care. To listen. Be willing to share your experiences, doubts, and lessons learned.
That’s what makes a real impact.
And that’s how we change lives, one conversation at a time.
Your Invitation: Step Up, Show Up, and Make a Difference
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I wish I had that growing up,” you can be that for someone else.
If you’re a:
✔️ Business leader, former athlete, educator, or someone with life experience to share, consider becoming a mentor. What makes you uniquely you?
✔️ A young person who feels stuck, unsure, or needs someone to talk to, consider getting a mentor.
The next generation doesn’t need more influencers. They need real people willing to show up, listen, and guide them through life’s challenges.
So I’ll ask you again: Does this remind you of anyone?
If the answer is yes, let’s talk. Because the next generation needs you more than you know.
📩 Interested? Let’s connect.
