Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aubrey Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Aubrey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
As a depressed teenager struggling with extreme anxiety, I found myself constantly striving to meet others’ needs while neglecting my own. My life took a profound turn when my best friend invited me to a summer camp focused on freedom, American history, and leadership. Little did I know that this experience would alter the course of my future forever.
The camp employed a unique approach to learning, using simulations, role-playing, and interactive games to help us not just hear the lessons, but truly experience them. Sitting in the audience at the tender age of 16, I had an epiphany: “That will be me up there someday.” From that moment on, depression no longer held me back.
I immersed myself in every possible role within the camp, moving from camper to counselor, then director, and eventually becoming the Vice President of the company. Together with the team, we shifted the camp’s focus from American history and the founding fathers to self-leadership and personal transformation. I firmly believe that self-leadership is the foundation of everything, and leadership, to me, is the ability to effect change.
In 2019, driven by a powerful vision of “Unleashing the Leaders of the Future,” I acquired the company and founded Youth for Freedom Worldwide, a non profit organization. I recognized that the world faces immense challenges that will require extraordinary leaders to drive positive change. And that change, I believe, starts from within, with self-leadership. This is where we come in.
What sets our approach apart is our focus on leadership in all aspects of life—in thoughts, in the body, among friends, and even when no one is watching. We empower teens to lead from the back, the sides, and the invisible places. Our programs go beyond the traditional context of management or standing at the front of a room. We mentor teens to become leaders for themselves, guiding them in effective communication with themselves and others to bring about powerful change.
The impact of our work is truly awe-inspiring. Watching these teens leave our camps with a deep understanding of who they are and the ability to embrace their most authentic selves fills me with an indescribable sense of joy and purpose. By fostering an environment where everyone shows up as a leader and gives their all, participants leave not only with newfound confidence but also with a tight-knit group of friends who support and inspire them.
The world is in dire need of the work we do. Teens need mentors who believe in them and help them unlock their full potential as leaders. Many of the problems we face today stem from communication breakdowns, and by equipping the next generation with the tools to communicate effectively with themselves and others, we are paving the way for transformative change.
Our mission extends far beyond the individual. By empowering teens and families, we are creating a ripple effect that touches communities, cities, nations, and ultimately, the entire world. Youth for Freedom Worldwide is not just a company; it is a movement dedicated to unleashing the leaders of the future, one teen at a time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
At Youth for Freedom Worldwide, we are passionate about empowering teens to become the leaders of tomorrow through our unique approach to experiential learning. Our Experiential Leadership Training (ELT) activities are designed to provide teens with hands-on experiences that allow them to discover and develop their leadership potential in a supportive and engaging environment.
At Youth for Freedom Worldwide, we don’t just tell teens how to be leaders; we provide them with the framework and the space to experience leadership for themselves. Our carefully crafted ELT activities allow teens to step into various leadership roles, try out different styles, and discover what works best for them. We believe that authenticity and self-awareness are key components of effective leadership, and our programs are designed to help teens cultivate these qualities.
What sets our approach apart is the powerful combination of experiential learning and expert facilitation. Our incredible coaches guide teens through thought-provoking debriefs after each activity, encouraging them to reflect on their experiences, identify their strengths, and explore areas for growth. Through this process, teens gain valuable insights into their own leadership abilities and learn how to make a positive impact on those around them.
The versatility of our ELT activities is truly remarkable. We have successfully implemented these programs with diverse groups, ranging from 9-year-old girls to rooms full of executives. The power of experiential learning lies in its ability to engage participants on a deep, personal level, allowing them to internalize the lessons and apply them to their own lives.
While we excel at supporting teens in their personal growth, it’s important to note that we are not a therapy camp. Our programs are designed for teens who are ready to embrace leadership, play hard, and discover themselves in the process. We attract powerful, motivated individuals who are eager to step out of their comfort zones and explore their full potential.
The impact of our work extends far beyond the individual teen. Parents often share with us how their children return home from our camps self-motivated, inspired, and communicating in new, positive ways. The skills and mindsets our participants develop have a ripple effect, positively influencing their relationships with family, friends, and their wider communities.
As we look to the future, we are excited to expand our reach and deepen our impact. We are currently working with donors to develop advanced programs, online courses, and one-on-one coaching to support our teens on their leadership journeys. Additionally, we are laying the groundwork for leadership and humanitarian trips and cultural immersion leadership retreats, truly embodying our worldwide mission.
At Youth for Freedom Worldwide, we are most proud of the transformation we witness in the lives of the teens we serve. Seeing them discover their authentic selves, form lasting friendships, and become the leaders they were meant to be is what drives us forward every day. We are not just a summer camp; we are a movement dedicated to unleashing the power of the next generation of leaders.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Just over a year ago, my family and I faced a devastating discovery: our home was contaminated with extreme levels of toxic mold. This revelation not only explained the myriad of medical issues we had been grappling with but also forced us to confront the harsh reality of losing everything we owned. The mold had infiltrated every aspect of our lives, affecting my eyes, ears, muscles, brain—my entire body. As we walked our belongings out to the trash, I couldn’t help but think that it would have been easier if it had all burned down in a fire. The financial and emotional toll was immense, and I found myself sick, homeless, and stripped of my possessions, including my cherished library.
In the midst of this crisis, I remembered a long-held dream of mine: to worldschool my children. Suddenly, the absence of possessions, a house, and ties presented an unexpected opportunity. My husband and I looked at each other and realized that we were free to leave, so we did. As I write this, I am nestled in a cloud forest in the jungles of Costa Rica, where our family has been experiencing the most incredible adventures. From exploring bat caves and rivers to immersing ourselves in the Spanish language and understanding a different way of life, we have been embracing every moment of this journey.
This pivot in our lives has not only enriched our personal experiences but has also had a profound impact on my work with Youth for Freedom Worldwide. When I changed the name of the company, it was with the intention of expanding our mission to unleash the leaders of the future on a global scale. Little did I know that this vision would manifest itself so quickly and in such an unexpected way. The lessons I am learning during our travels are being woven into new leadership curriculum for Youth for Freedom, and we are laying the foundation for experiences in other countries.
Our family’s journey is far from over. We are looking at Spain, Africa, or Australia as potential next stops on our adventure. The freedom to explore the world and create meaningful experiences is a gift that I am deeply grateful for, especially considering the challenges we faced just a year ago. It was not easy to maintain a positive outlook amidst the darkness of our situation, and the journey of healing our bodies has been a long one. However, looking at where we are now and what we are experiencing, I couldn’t be more thankful for the exact path that led us here.
This experience has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, gratitude, and the power of perspective. It has given me a deeper grace for myself in difficult moments and a profound trust in the universe. I now know that everything is always working out for us, and that I have the power to create my reality, regardless of the circumstances that come my way. Although we had to course-correct, we are still on track, moving forward with renewed purpose and a global vision.
My message to others facing seemingly insurmountable challenges is this: embrace the journey, even when it takes an unexpected turn. It is in these moments of adversity that we discover our true strength and uncover opportunities for growth and transformation. Just as the mold in our home led us to embark on a worldwide mission, your challenges may be the catalyst for your greatest adventures and most meaningful contributions to the world.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Growing up in a traumatic environment, I quickly became a master at reading emotions, body language, and vibes. This skill, born out of necessity, has become one of my greatest strengths and has been instrumental in my success as a transformative leader. However, my childhood also instilled in me a pattern of intense overperformance, constantly striving to meet other people’s needs at the expense of my own.
At the young age of 18, I began working as a part-time personal assistant to a company executive. Within just two days, I was promoted to a full-time position, supporting two executives. As the company grew from rooms of 10 to rooms of 1000, I grew with it, honing my skills in anticipating and fulfilling the needs of those around me. While this ability to read and respond to others has been a valuable asset, it has also come at a cost.
Now, as a parent of three incredible children, I am beginning to realize that many of the things I do aren’t actually the best way to approach life. In my constant focus on observing and understanding others, I have neglected to watch and listen to myself. The lesson I am actively unlearning is the habit of meeting everyone else’s needs while ignoring my own.
It’s important to be a good listener, an active listener, and to understand other people. However, I am learning to do this without compromising my own voice and needs. Similarly, being a hard worker who can anticipate and care for their environment is a valuable trait, but not when it comes at the cost of personal well-being.
This process of unlearning and rediscovering myself has been a journey. As an adult, I have had to learn what my own needs are and get to know the person I am today. It’s a strange and sometimes awkward process, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I am learning to embrace my quirks and celebrate the unique individual that I am.
This personal experience is what fuels my passion for working with teens. They are at a critical juncture in their lives, right in the thick of discovering who they are and choosing the stories and beliefs that will shape their future. At Youth for Freedom Worldwide, we are dedicated to helping them choose stories that serve them, that empower them to honor and lead themselves first, and then go on to change the world.
By sharing my own story of unlearning and self-discovery, I hope to inspire others, especially teens, to embrace the journey of getting to know themselves. It’s okay to be a work in progress, to stumble and learn as we go. The most important thing is to keep listening to our own hearts and honoring our own needs, even as we strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.
In a society that often prioritizes external validation and meeting others’ expectations, the act of unlearning these patterns and rediscovering ourselves is a revolutionary one. It takes courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to step into the unknown. But it is in this process that we find our true strength, our authentic voice, and the power to create meaningful change, both in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youthforfreeom.org
- Instagram: @aubreyntaylor, @youthforfreedom
Image Credits
Ruthie Henderson & Sarah Gloria-Faltisek