As someone whose English teacher considered her one of the worst writers in the world, you may be surprised to know that Lisa Nichols has two book deals going with the super-successful “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. She was also featured in Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret”. Lisa’s true passion lies in speaking and in the company she founded, Motivating the Teen Spirit LLC.
Motivating the Teen Spirit is changing lives for teens and their parents everywhere. Over 60,000 teen lives have been touched in some way. More than 1,800 suicides have been prevented, nearly 1,000 dropouts have returned to school, and countless teens have been reunited with their parents.
Lisa has had a passion for helping people since her youth. She remembers many prayers to God begging for help and guidance. She promised herself that if God would help her through, she’d later help others as well. Lisa was just like any other teenager, as social as could be, but she needed help with emotional illiteracy.
Greatness isn’t born. It’s not something that comes from “magic fairy dust.” Lisa believes greatness is a product. It’s something to which one must work, and it’s something that comes from each good and bad experience in life. Let each challenge be an opportunity to learn and thrive rather than knock down.
In Biblical days, Moses was called upon to speak, but he was so scared that he tried to get his brother Aaron to step in for him. Lisa was similar in her earlier days. She always wanted to be a speaker, but she was afraid. “How can I speak,” she thought. “I got a ‘D’ in speech class.” Lisa dwelled on her can’t-do attitude for five long years before finally following the path she believed God wanted her to follow.
Many people today struggle with passions as well. It doesn’t have to be a passion for speaking. It could be anything. Lisa would often feel as if God were calling her, but she would say, “Can you call back later?” She had a great job making a six-figure income. She had benefits, and she had a small child to consider.
Face your fears. Don’t let your security derail your passionate goals. Ask yourself how happy you REALLY are. If there’s something you could change to make your life have more meaning, figure out what’s holding you back. Change doesn’t happen by itself.
Lisa Nichols overcame her fears by studying speech, facilitation, and entrepreneurship. She began working with teens for free. In time, confidence and credibility allowed her to start charging a fee. Now she’s happier than she ever dreamed possible back when her life was “secure”. Overcome your own obstacles and be happy!

