Discover You™ Peer-to-Peer students and their classmates welcomed Molly Kennedy, Ironman triathlete, mountain climber, author and motivational speaker, for keynote address and workshop events on March 27th at Bullock Creek and Meridian Early College High Schools. Molly challenged the group to identify the #1 belief that was holding them back,  and change their perspective of what is possible (“Flip your 20™!”). She shared her story of overcoming her fear of water to become an Ironman Triathete, and flipping her #1 limiting belief – that she wasn’t good enough.

Molly inspired the audience to look for every day opportunities to provide doses of kindness for others. Small moments of kindness such as a smile, fist bump or a compliment can go a long way in showing someone “I see you, and you matter.” We all have the power to leave people better than we found them, she said. “It costs nothing, but it can be life changing, and life-saving.”

After the keynote address, Molly hosted a workshop with students to help them identify their #1 limiting belief and “flip their 20™” to change what they believed was possible. Students had a chance to share their stories and support one another. As students shared, their body language changed, building their confidence as they challenged their limiting beliefs and embraced their potential for growth. Molly told students that it’s not about being perfect, it’s about overcoming discomfort and limiting beliefs to take back your power and train your brain to think differently.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) is a peer-led mental health and suicide awareness program administered by Discover You™ in partnership with the Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network. P2P engages peer-led student teams to raise awareness, end stigma, and promote access to mental health intervention resources.  This is done in an evidence-based and hopeful manner with the goal of decreasing depression, anxiety, and suicide in Midland County Youth. The value of the P2P program lies in its early detection and prevention of mental health issues through its school-wide intervention.

This keynote event was planned and implemented by P2P student leaders with support from their mentors. This event was made possible with funding support for the P2P program from Tri-star Trust and the Midland Area Community Foundation Youth Action Council.