We recently connected with Samuel Tolbert and have shared our conversation below.
Samuel , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
This year marks six years since I left my job, and if I can be honest, that decision was one of the toughest I’ve ever made. I didn’t fully grasp the consequences before making the leap to shift gears. Little did I know, this change would alter the trajectory of my life entirely.
I vividly recall wandering through my workplace, feeling an unsettling void within me. Despite the decent income, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something crucial was missing. I started questioning the price I was paying for financial security.
Sometimes, success blinds us, convincing us that our current reality is all there is and that pursuing anything else is futile. But I felt a calling towards something deeper, something purposeful. One day, while walking on the job, my director halted me with a question that caught me off guard: “What do you do outside of this?” His words lingered with me for weeks, as I grappled with the notion that perhaps there was more to me than met the eye. Eventually, I mustered the courage to confide in my wife about my growing conviction to leave my job.
The idea of walking away from a stable $82k-a-year job with a family to support felt ludicrous. I sat on my resignation letter for weeks, battling fear and uncertainty. When I finally took the plunge and left, I entered a dark period of depression and anxiety. Stripped of my job title, I struggled to find my identity and battled constant rejection in my job search.
But amidst the turmoil, a glimmer of hope emerged. My wife and I secured a contract to provide programming for four public schools, injecting much-needed funds into our household. This opportunity not only restored our financial stability but also ignited a passion within me to inspire the next generation.
As we approach the six-year mark, I reflect on the incredible journey since leaving my job. I’ve authored my first book, founded Elevated Thoughts Academy, and hosted numerous events and conferences. My mission to guide individuals from potential to purpose drives me forward, fueled by the unwavering support of my family and the grace of God.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been immensely rewarding. As I continue to move forward, I’m filled with anticipation for what lies ahead. From potential to purpose, the adventure continues. Let’s go!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Samuel Tolbert, also known as Coach Sam Tolbert, the Founder/CEO of Elevated Thoughts Academy (ETA), a transformational educational platform with a mission to guide individuals from potential to purpose through mindset elevation. As the #1 Thought Seeking Coach, I liberate individuals from self-limiting beliefs, empowering them to move and soar in purpose.
I attribute my remarkable success to my unwavering faith in God. As a dedicated husband, father of 4, and leader, I carry a powerful message of hope, inspiration, and change that resonates with schools, organizations, professionals, and individuals seeking to challenge their thought processes.
Utilizing my personal journey, I guide individuals towards discovering their untapped potential and connecting with their life’s purpose. My journey commenced the moment I made the choice to leave my job. While that decision was the hardest I had to make, I had to embrace the process of becoming who I was destined to be.
Little did I know that leaving my career would coincide with a global challenge that would change lives worldwide. A year after my departure, the world faced a pandemic, claiming lives and leaving many feeling hopeless and uncertain.
During the pandemic, I wrote and released my first book, “Loving a Fragile Woman”, sharing my personal story of learning to position myself in marriage for healing alongside my wife, Tre’elle. Despite facing trauma that could have destroyed everything we were building, we learned to lean into the process of healing. As a husband, I discovered the importance of emotional, mental, and spiritual positioning, leading to our 12th year of marriage filled with our best years.
Amidst the pandemic, I founded “Image Nation”, a community for men embracing their power, authority, and identity. Our annual conference, “Image REC Con”, provides a safe space for men to align their lives with the image of God through panel discussions, keynote speakers, prayer and empowerment.
Passionate about impact, I volunteer as a youth basketball coach for the YMCA alongside my wife. Our success inspired me to pursue coaching at Manor High School, where I pour my experience as a former high school, college, and All Navy basketball player into our young men, aiming to leave this earth empty. I often tell myself “If clouds empty themselves upon the earth when full of rain, I want to pour because I’m full of purpose.
My passion for helping young kids discover their identity stems from overcoming self-doubt in my own journey. Despite social awkwardness, I pursued a full basketball scholarship after high school and later joined the United States Navy, where I was selected for the All Navy Basketball Team.
Transitioning from the military, I pursued higher education, earning my Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration and pursuing my Master’s degree in MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management. My diverse roles in the workforce demonstrated resilience, team-building, accountability, and creativity, qualities.
So what exactly is Elevated Thoughts Academy (ETA)? As the #1 Thought Seeking Coach and founder of ETA, I wanted to create a platform that helps individuals shift their mindset, and embrace their divine journey of moving from potential to purpose. ETA offers a structured path that allows schools, students, organizations, and professionals to break free from self-limiting beliefs and unlock their full potential for meaningful and purpose-driven lives. Our Unique Value Proposition consists of:
• Innovative Frameworks: The “Move and Soar” (MV-SOAR) and Thought Seeking Model (TSM) are specialized and comprehensive approaches developed by ETA for personal growth and mindset transformation.
• Integrated Coaching Programs: ETA’s coaching programs align with the Five Core Social Emotional Learning Competencies, aiding individuals in achieving self- awareness and mastery over their decision-making process.
• Specialized Tools: Proprietary tools like the “Court Vision Planner” and “Full Court Progress Tracker” are specifically designed to assist in goal setting and tracking progress, adopting the principles of SMART goals.
• Custom Content: Each participant receives tailored video courses, readings, and self-assessment tools to facilitate their unique journey towards intentional living.
Our Potential Impact on the Market consist of:
• Educational Institutions: ETA provides a framework to enable schools to foster a positive learning environment and equip students with critical social and emotional skills.
• Students: The program empowers students to manage emotions, develop positive relationships, and to engage in responsible decision-making, thus setting them up for future success.
• Organizations and Professionals: ETA is poised to enhance emotional intelligence within workplaces, promoting a more dynamic and productive professional environment.
• Personal Growth Market: ETA’s emphasis on individual transformation positions it as a key player in the self-help and personal development industry.
Social Emotional Skills Demand: The increasing awareness of social emotional learning’s importance in education suggests a rising demand for ETA’s services.
• Well-being Focus: The growing emphasis on mental health and well-being in society positions ETA as a timely solution to a pressing global issue.
ETA’s offerings carve out a significant market niche, with our innovative approach to personal development promising to effect true transformation in the lives of individuals and institutions alike.
Given the extensive and comprehensive nature of the Elevated Thoughts Academy (ETA), which includes both personal development concepts and mechanisms for assisting students, professionals, and organizations in realizing their potential, the current market scenario appears ripe for its introduction. Below are the top five reasons why this is an ideal time for ETA.
1. Rising Demand for Personal Development:
There is an increasing awareness and demand for personal development and self-help resources. Individuals and organizations are continuously seeking ways to improve performance and productivity, making them receptive to programs like the MV-SOAR and TSM models.
2. Acceleration of Remote Learning and Coaching:
The reshaping of the education and coaching sectors toward online platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic has created new opportunities for remote learning experiences. ETA can capitalize on these trends to reach a wider audience without the geographic constraints faced by traditional institutions.
3. Integration of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in Education:
There’s a growing emphasis on SEL in schools, with research supporting its impact on students’ academic and life success. ETA’s alignment with the five core competencies of SEL positions it advantageously to meet the needs of educational institutions looking to incorporate these principles.
4. Corporate Well-being and Mental Health Focus:
Companies are increasingly investing in the well-being and mental health of their employees, recognizing the link to productivity and reduced absenteeism. Session content geared towards professionals, focusing on accountability, mindset, and emotional intelligence, meets the developing corporate well-being market standards.
5. Heightened Awareness of Mindfulness and Mental Health:
A societal shift towards recognizing the importance of mental health and mindfulness practices aligns with ETA’s foundational principles. The offering of tools and strategies for managing thoughts and emotions is timely, considering current conversations on mental health awareness and self- care priorities.
Looking back over my life I reflect on my success. My wife and I have been able to launch multiple businesses, initiatives, and projects, including AWAKE Worship, The W.I.N. Foundation (501c3), The Creative Arts and Marketing Solutions (C.R.E.A.M.S) Program for kids, by Tag It Brand It, Image Nation, Revolt World Image Apparel, Elevated Thoughts Academy, InspireX Radio, and Elevated Thoughts TV.
These accomplishments did not come overnight. They were the result of perseverance, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Even during the darkest times when me and my family faced hardships such as utility cut-offs and foreclosure threats, me and his family continued to build and believe in our vision. Through my powerful message, unwavering faith, and personal journey, I empower individuals, schools, organizations, and professionals to challenge their thought processes, embrace their true identities, and make a lasting impact on the world.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, I believe what is most helpful for succeeding not only in my field but in any other field is having an elevated mindset. I spent a portion of my life chasing empty dreams and pursuing deep desires, which I called having vision. The reality was that I embraced a more comfortable journey rather than leaning into the process of becoming the leader I am today. The truth is, I was far from embracing my personal journey of becoming the person I was always meant to be.
In my latest book, “Potential to Purpose: The Power of Intentional Thinking,” which will be released towards the end of this year, I talk about what it means to move from potential to purpose. It’s not enough for others around me to see a glimpse of the greatness that’s inside of me. The question is, do I not only see but do I believe it? And how do I reinforce what I believe, take action, and foster more positive feelings and thoughts toward that belief about my self-value, self-worth, and self-image?
On my journey, I’ve come across individuals who struggled with finding meaning and purpose in their lives. Regardless of all their accomplishments, accolades, business endeavors, and more, these individuals still felt empty and, in some cases, uncertain about their lives. Something I’ve discovered is that you can be in the right place, faced with the right opportunity, and not have the character and maturity to handle that place. You end up dropping or missing the opportunity because you fail to elevate your thinking.
I believe that if you really want to succeed in anything you do, you have to challenge those broken thoughts and ideas about what you believe you were meant to be. Instead of burying those thoughts, learn how to gain an understanding of your past experiences. It’s okay to learn from past versions of yourself. I’ve found that I receive so much wisdom from past failures. I had to humble myself and acknowledge that I didn’t know what I was doing. It’s in humility where you see a different perspective of the world. Pride will cause you to remain stagnant in your life while blaming others for why you can’t be successful or be great. It takes an elevated mindset to see and embrace a wealthy and prosperous future.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I met my business partner while serving in the United States Navy. I was coming off a deployment when she checked onboard the ship. The initial conversation wasn’t forced, and I felt comfortable opening up. We can all agree that finding the perfect partner, someone you trust and who trusts you, isn’t always easy. It’s someone who is innovative, forward-thinking, future-oriented, and has a creative mind. This individual sees the world and chooses how to paint the reality of what they see, feel, and believe. I consider this the perfect business partner.
I remember transitioning from the military and falling into a place of stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and depression. Before this individual became my business partner, she was my friend. I found myself learning from how she navigated life challenges. She moved in a way that went against traditional and societal norms.
If I can be honest, she helped me become more creative in my own passions. She exposed me to a world I never knew. Instead of stopping at the threshold of creativity, she pushed the boundaries, connecting her creativity to psychology and business. I started to see the world from a different perspective. Not only was I becoming a better person, but I was also evolving into a creative leader in business.
Between meeting my business partner in the United States Navy and transitioning from the military, we decided to get married. Now, I not only have a friend and business partner, but also a beautiful wife who continually challenges me to be better than I was the day before. She has pushed me in ways that propelled me forward in purpose and helped me elevate my thoughts.
My wife, Tre’elle, has poured her knowledge and experiences into ensuring that we operate every business idea we pursue with excellence. From digital marketing, graphic design, website development, to brand strategy and brand therapy, she has positioned us for success. I acknowledge my business partner at this moment. I’m excited for what lies ahead of us. The endless possibilities await, and I know our future and everything we put our minds to will be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coachsamtolbert.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachsamtolbert
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachsamtolbert?trk=contact-info
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@coachsamtolbert
Image Credits
Photo credit: Tre’elle Tolbert