The Digital Executive – Ep 1028

Jesse LeBeau on Empowering Teens, Overcoming Adversity, and Building Community

Date: March 20, 2025
Host: Coruzant Technologies
Guest: Jesse LeBeau – Speaker, Author, Youth Motivational Leader

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Jesse LeBeau’s mission to empower teens, battle the rising epidemic of loneliness among youth, and foster community through basketball, storytelling, and his nonprofit work. He discusses his personal journey, the creation and impact of the Attitude is Everything Foundation, shares compelling stories of teens transformed through his programs, and talks about his reality series, The LeBeau Show, which brings awareness to youth struggles while offering hope and support.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jesse’s Journey: From Alaskan Underdog to Motivational Leader (01:02–03:02)

• Growing Up in Alaska: Jesse describes his upbringing on a remote Alaskan island, highlighting how basketball was a central element of the community—akin to how football dominates in Texas.
  • "I think it's because I looked up to my big brother... and basketball in Alaska is kind of like football in Texas... it is just absolutely king." (01:39)
• Overcoming Adversity: Always the smallest kid, Jesse faced bullying but chose to dedicate himself to basketball, embracing his underdog status.
• Basketball as a Universal Language:
  • His skills opened doors in entertainment (commercials, movies, TV), leading to worldwide travel.
  • Speaking opportunities emerged organically:
    "They just kept handing me microphones... eventually it became like, oh, this is something I could use—basketball as a tool to get people to buy in and want to hear a story." (02:32)
• Core Insight: Authenticity and being relatable—especially as an underdog—resonates universally with teens.

The Attitude is Everything Foundation: Mission & Impact (03:28–04:52)

• Genesis of the Foundation: After years of touring schools and interacting briefly but intensely with thousands of students, Jesse saw the need for sustained support.
  • "You kind of could only do so much in that little moment that you have with them. So the nonprofit just allowed us... ongoing resources, curriculums, parent guides, trainings for teenagers." (03:43)
• Addressing Real Needs:
  • Provides resources for goal-setting, accountability, and mental health.
  • Focuses on replacing momentary inspiration with ongoing support frameworks.
• Modern Youth Challenges:
  • The digital landscape brings “so many doggone distractions”—phones, video games—making it easy for kids to disengage.

Transformative Success Stories (05:30–08:03)

• Critical Moments Leading to Organizational Change:
  • Describes a pivotal encounter with a seventh grader in Orange County grieving the loss of his father (suicide) and uncle (cancer).
  • "So many of these situations that kids are going with are just out of their control." (06:08)
• The Prevalence of Divorce and Loneliness:
  • Divorce is cited as a significant, emotionally difficult challenge for today’s students.
• First Ever School Talk – Life-Changing Impact:
  • A girl at Jesse’s alma mater, battling bipolar disorder and heavy medication, found hope in Jesse’s message about attitude:
    "From just hearing that you could control your attitude... she was able to get off all of the medication and really turn her life around..." (07:18)
  • Key lesson: Authenticity and caring trump polish in connecting with youth and inspiring real change.
  • "Because I was passionate and being authentic, that shines through more than any polished thing." (07:54)

The LeBeau Show: Reaching More Youth Through Media (08:51–11:00)

• Why the Show Was Created: Wanting to amplify awareness and impact, Jesse launched the reality series to reach those beyond the schools he visits.
  • "Wanted to get the awareness out there so that other people could be involved and we can reach as many people to have a positive impact as possible." (09:04)
• Addressing the Teen Loneliness Epidemic: Despite technology’s promise of connection, feelings of isolation are more rampant among teens.
  • Jesse relates this to his own feelings of isolation growing up pre-internet.
  • "There's never been more kids that are lonely." (09:20)
• Show’s Format & Philosophy:
  • Intimate settings for kids struggling with difficult circumstances, but a light-hearted, optimistic approach is maintained to avoid furthering trauma.
  • "We kind of show more of the positive side of things... the show was built out of putting our problems in perspective." (10:16)
• Key Message: Youth facing adversity are not alone, and there’s always support and hope.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Using Basketball to Build Community:
  • "Basketball really can unite and bring people together. And that's what I found." – Jesse LeBeau (02:32)
• On the Reality of Kids’ Struggles:
  • "So many times it's completely out of their control. So that was one that, like, really shifted me..." – Jesse LeBeau (06:38)
• On Changing Lives With Attitude:
  • "She couldn't control what was going on in her life, but she did have the power and she could take it back by choosing how she was going to respond..." – Jesse LeBeau (07:25)
• On the Purpose of The LeBeau Show:
  • "The show is really just a light-hearted way for us to be able to show people that... they aren't alone going through those things and that there's people out there that can help them." – Jesse LeBeau (09:49)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Jesse’s Backstory & Role of Basketball: 01:02–03:02
• Attitude is Everything Foundation, Mission & Impact: 03:28–04:52
• Transformative Success Stories: 05:30–08:03
• Creation and Spirit of The LeBeau Show: 08:51–11:00

Final Thoughts

Jesse LeBeau’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of resilience, authenticity, and community. Through basketball, personal storytelling, and ongoing projects like the Attitude is Everything Foundation and The LeBeau Show, he continues to inspire and equip youth to overcome adversity, control their narrative, and realize they’re not alone—offering hope in a digital age marked by unprecedented connection and, paradoxically, deep loneliness.