Jeff Yalden Speaker & Booking Information

Jeff Yalden overcame incredible odds to become the man he is today...

As a teenager, he lost interest academically. He took the SATs twice and scored only 610 out of a possible 1600. Worse yet, Jeff suffered from a stutter, a facial tic, bad acne, and a learning disability. With a dismal sense of self and a defeatist attitude toward the world, Jeff graduated high school 128th in a class of 133.

Although he was accepted by 3 of the 19 colleges to which he applied, Jeff was afraid to attend college, so intense was his fear of rejection, failure, and the mother of all loads - inadequacy.

The turning point came one month after high school when Jeff grew sick of being sick and decided to take charge of his life. He entered and won the Mr. New Hampshire Male America and later Male America's "Mr. Personality." A year later, he enlisted with the Marine Corp where he quickly learned the virtue of self-reliance and teamwork. Jeff became a two-time Marine of the Year and played for the All-Marine-Corp basketball team.

Unfortunately, a failed relationship sent Jeff spiraling back toward his old ways and soon, he found himself hospitalized with depression and suicidal tendencies. In 1994, after an honorable discharge from the Marines, Jeff realized that his destiny was in his own hands. He reached deep inside himself for the fortitude and character to make powerful, life-transforming choices.

And the healing began.

Today Jeff draws on the grace he experienced in his darkest lessons to help today's youth transform their own lives. He has captured the imagination of more than 3,000 audiences from all over the world. Jeff is a Certified Speaking Professional, the highest designation by the National Speakers Association and a distinction earned by fewer than 10% of all speakers.

Jeff has presented for the likes of SADD, FBLA, STUCO, FCCLA, SEARCH INSTITUTE, The National PRIDE World Drug-Free Conference, National Speakers Association, National Student Council, and more. Along with youth programs, Jeff delivers programs for teachers, parents, and communities as well.

Jeff appears routinely in print, the subject of articles in newspapers and magazines across the country. He is also the author of They Call Me Coach, Keep It Simple, 20 Ways To Keep It Simple, and Traits of a Leader. Jeff coauthored Lead Now or Step Aside and contributed to New York Times bestseller A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Jeff believes that success depends on one's worldview - how people perceive their position in the world. His stories of personal transformation uplift and entertain, for Jeff is living, breathing proof of the miracles available to every human.

Find out for yourself why Jeff Yalden is the most sought-after speaker in education today.

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Jeff doesn't use flip charts or handouts. What you see is what you get. Jeff's program will tickle the inner soul. His message will linger on long after his presentation has ended.

Jeff's Programs are age appropriate and can be tailored to a specific theme with advance notice.

Elementary School Programs & Assemblies

Jeff adores the little ones. Although Jeff doesn't market to this age group he is always happy to accommodate requests for grade school engagements.

During Jeff's Program, Jeff tells lots of children stories. Jeff will even read to the children from his favorite book of all time, Dr. Seuss's And to Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street. He will also tell your students, what he feels to be the three basic rules for life:

    * Do what is right

    * Do the best you can

    * Treat others the way you would like to be treated

Your students and staff will undoubtedly agree, Jeff is the best speaker hands down. Your assembly will be unlike any other you have ever had! You will be a hit! You will be the talk of the school for bring Jeff to your Elementary School.

Jeff will speak to your students on their level in way they understand. He will speak to them, not at them while delivering a powerful message about life. This is just one of the many things that makes Jeff the most sought after speaker today.

School Assemblies for Middle School & Junior High School Students & Educators

Middle School is such an important time for our youth. This is a time where choices made now may affect ones' life in later years.

Jeff's message for Middle School Assemblies is "About Life". This motivational school assembly will take your students on a journey of self-discovery. Students will learn about character, making right choices, responsibility, and integrity, respect, hard work and passion to name a few. Most importantly, Jeff will share what he feels to be the most important rules for life:

    * Do what is right

    * Do the best you can

    * Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

During this one hour keynote address, Jeff Yalden will make clear his mantra "Fill Your Cup". This talk will highlight the lessons learned from a father-daughter relationship and the value lessons we learn from them. Jeff talks on their level, in their language, speaking and sharing stories that are personal but monumental making this whole message about the audience not the speaker.

Bring Jeff to your school for your next school assembly program for middle school students and you will be the hero! Your assembly will be unlike any other you have ever had. Jeff's Programs are unforgettable! Your students and staff will be buzzing with excitement! Jeff's message lingers on long after his program has ended.

Jeff will speak with your teens and not at them. He relates his stories as being a parent, a teacher, and a coach. Your students will feel as if he is their own father. However, he will speak with them in a language far different than their own parents. Parents often write and call our office asking how in one hour we connected with their child about the same issues they've been trying to teach for years.

High School Programs & Assemblies

Jeff has addressed high schools from California to New York, Munich to El Salvador and everywhere in between. Millions of high school students and educators from all walks of life have absorbed Jeff's elevating message about personal accountability and selflessness to community and society. His high school assemblies focus on accountability, personal responsibility, choices, character, acceptance, selflessness, and can be tailored to your theme with advance notice. The bottom line is that Jeff promises your students and staff the best assembly program of the year and they will be begging to have Jeff back year after year.

Whether speaking to troubled youth or student leaders, Jeff pours his heart and soul into his audience leaving them with a message they will never forget. Jeff's powerful message, "About Life" and taking time to think helps your students make decisions affecting the next steps in their lives. His mantra, "Fill your Cup" is a message that is visual as much as it is heard through the powerful stories that resonate deep into their hearts.

When you bring Jeff to your high school for your next student assembly, you will hear how he overcame obstacles while finding humor in even his darkest moments. Jeff makes a connection with your students that is real and heartfelt. Jeff becomes a friend to them, a beacon in the fog of what seems to be eternal youth.

Jeff's unforgettable message about life is incorporated into stories of his own life experiences. Jeff uses humor and drama to instill a sense of accountability, doing what is best for the sake of integrity, and treating others with basic human respect.

With his upbeat spirit and infectious sense of humor, Jeff specializes in High School Assemblies, Youth Leadership Conferences, Graduation Commencement Addresses & Keynote Addresses. He gets under those graduation caps and gets the students thinking that they really, truly can make a difference. He will further inspire your students to be their own person instead of buckling to peer pressure.

As a father, teacher, and a coach, Jeff Yalden speaks to your students on their level and in their language in a style they can understand and relate to. Jeff talks with his audience, not at them delivering a message they will call a highlight of their educational year.

Jeff will also stay long after his program has ended. He will take time to speak with students, sign autographs and just listen. Jeff will speak openly and honestly about anything kids want to discuss, from drugs, tobacco and alcohol to abstinence and relationships. Jeff loves teens and the conversations they bring to the table but Jeff is an adult and a trusted role model that your high school students and staff look up to as a powerful educator.

Jeff speaks to high school students differently than he does to middle school students. Jeff's gift is truly understanding how to relate to students on their level, regardless of age or social status.

Student Leaders & Youth Conferences

Jeff has presented for the likes of FCCLA, FBLA, STUCO, SEARCH Institute, 4-H, PAL, hundreds of Youth Leadership Conferences and literally thousands of school assemblies in all 50 states to youth representing over 48 different countries. Just to name a few... But more importantly, no speaker will stoke the audience more so than Jeff Yalden.

Jeff will take your student leaders on a journey of self-exploration as he defines the essence of leadership and its attendant responsibilities. Jeff will encourage your student leaders to be real, to believe in themselves while inspiring the students to live through character and not through reputation.

Jeff's Leadership Programs & Conferences are a roller coaster of emotions, delving equally into laughter, tears, and quiet reflection. Some student leaders claim that they draw more from Jeff's one-hour keynote than they have through their entire high school or college experience. Perhaps, it is because student leaders yearn for the qualities that have transformed Jeff's own life. Students will learn from Jeff what it takes to find themselves and become the leaders they envision.

Jeff also runs Student Leadership Workshops. Why not incorporate a leadership workshop into your next event and you will see how your student leaders work together to solve the problem at hand. You will see how some students will take charge will others follow. It may surprise you just who will take charge. Always, fun and interactive.

Jeff speaks to high school students & student leaders differently than he does to middle school students. Jeff's gift is truly understanding how to relate to students on their level, regardless of age or social status.

College & Universities

Most every college and university has a program for incoming freshman. These programs and orientations help transition a student to life on campus. Why not have Jeff Yalden be part of your Freshman Orientation? Jeff will discuss campus life, life of a college student, the right and wrongs and what is expected. Most importantly, Jeff will represent the expectations representing your college or university. With Jeff, You will get a speaker that will connect with your undergraduate students and give them a message that they will remember for a long time.

Jeff Yalden, MTV MADE Teen Life Coach, Teen Speaker, Youth Speaker, Teen Author, and role model to many will speak to your incoming freshman and student leaders about their responsibilities, their character, and the consequences of the choices they make. From real life stories, Jeff Yalden connects with teens and young adults on their level speaking with them rather than at them. Your student leaders will thank you for bringing Jeff to your school.

Teacher In-Service Programs

Whether you book an hour, a half-day, or a full day, Jeff gives everything he has to teacher in-services. He educates the educators, empowering them to get - and give - the most in their important roles.

Sometimes we need to put away the books and get away from standardized tests to focus on why we are teaching at all. Jeff Yalden recharges the batteries of educators and gives them a renewed conviction in their own calling.

Jeff's in-service program allows teachers to laugh and have fun and stop thinking about homework for a while. He has been known to single-handedly restore the morale of a school.

Master of Ceremonies

Jeff Yalden is the perfect master of ceremonies for any conference. Get the kids moving and grooving with Jeff as their MC. Motivated, inspired, and always informed - have Jeff help facilitate the whole event. You will love how Jeff handles it all. We mean it all!!!!!

Programs for Parents

Mothers and fathers, school board members, and local community members have gotten wind of Jeff's reputation. Students can't always recite his stories word-for-word, but they do convey their excitement for his humor. They talk about "Just Jeff" time and set off a chain reaction among the elders.

More important, Jeff opens up a dialogue between the youth and their parents in a safe and creative way. All the parents know is that something special happened at school. Parents, in turn, have driven more than 300 miles to hear this Jeff Yalden person, inviting grandparents and relatives to boot.

Jeff, forever accommodating, reaches the whole family with his inspirational stories, causing them to laugh, reflect, and have something truly worthwhile to discuss at the dinner table.

Jeff's books, bracelets, DVD's and CD's are available for purchase at programs and parent/community programs.

Special Programs

You already know that your students and staff love Jeff and his visit to your community and working with your youth. Here is where you might have already-in-place programs and you think Jeff could be a great fit.

In addition to what Jeff does, Jeff will be a welcome gust of wind to an already-in-place program working with your students. From field days, test taking days or days leading up to the test, to Interview skills, Jeff will be great to work with you to help motivate and inspire the students.