We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasen Glanton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasen below.

Jasen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Turning Pain into Purpose: The Birth of ImPowered Minds
By Jasen Glanton

ImPowered Minds wasn’t just an idea—it was born from my own trauma, transformed into something powerful. As a thought leader and trainer for Verizon Wireless, I developed a deep passion for seeing people grow and do better. But what broke my heart was realizing that so many highly capable individuals never reached their full potential. They weren’t held back by a lack of ability but by the people around them—family, friends, and environments that reinforced limiting beliefs and conditioned them to follow paths that weren’t truly their own.

Too often, I saw people living through the experiences of others, blindly walking a road someone else paved for them. I knew something had to change. I wanted to create a space where young people could break free from these cycles, where they could explore their own potential, find their purpose, and learn to navigate the world with confidence. That’s how ImPowered Minds was born.

Fishing as the Hook, Growth as the Mission
Fishing became the draw—an entry point to something much bigger. It’s more than just a sport; it’s a way to connect with nature, to practice patience, to learn resilience. But beyond the fishing rods and the water, I saw an opportunity to introduce kids to entrepreneurship, mentorship, and self-discovery.

We decided to build a balanced model—one that combined outdoor adventure with education, mental wellness, and real-life skills. Schools weren’t providing the life tools that truly shape successful, productive citizens, so we took that responsibility into our own hands. We saw a world where people operated more on emotion than on reality, where conditioning had convinced too many that success meant following someone else’s script. ImPowered Minds is here to rewrite that narrative.

A Community Movement, Not Just a Program
This isn’t just about helping kids; it’s about transforming entire communities. We believe that real change happens when people come together—elders, entrepreneurs, business leaders—each bringing their wisdom, resources, and experiences to the table. Innovation and creativity drive our programming, ensuring kids don’t just hope for a better future but actively build it.

ImPowered Minds isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a movement. It’s for the people. It’s for the community. It’s about breaking free from fixed mentalities and proving that with the right support, every child can discover their purpose and create a life that is uniquely their own.

Giving back isn’t just an act of service; it’s the key to a strong, thriving society. When we invest in our youth, we invest in a better world. That’s the foundation of ImPowered Minds, and that’s how we plan to change the future—one child, one lesson, and one empowered mind at a time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Meet Jasen Glanton: The Vision Behind ImPowered Minds

I’m Jasen Glanton, the founder of ImPowered Minds, a movement dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship, education, mental wellness, and real-world skill-building. My journey to creating ImPowered Minds is deeply personal—it stems from my own experiences, struggles, and a desire to turn trauma into transformation.

How I Got Here
Before launching ImPowered Minds, I was a thought leader and Senior Trainer at Verizon Wireless, where I developed a passion for helping people grow. I loved seeing individuals break barriers and reach their full potential. But what truly shaped my path was a realization: there are countless people in this world—brilliant, talented, and capable—who never get the opportunity to thrive.

Why? Because they are stifled by their surroundings. Families, friends, and communities often create norms that limit ambition. Too many people blindly walk a path someone else set for them, living through the experiences of others instead of carving their own journey. That reality hit me hard, and I knew I had to do something about it.

That’s why I built ImPowered Minds—for the youth, for the community, and for the future.

What We Do at ImPowered Minds
At its core, ImPowered Minds is about breaking cycles and creating opportunities. We focus on three key pillars:

✅ Outdoor & Experiential Learning – We use fishing as the hook to engage kids, exposing them to nature, discipline, patience, and entrepreneurship. Fishing is more than just a hobby—it teaches life skills like resilience, problem-solving, and focus.

✅ Education & Life Skills – We recognized that traditional schools weren’t equipping kids with essential life skills, so we stepped in. Our programs provide financial literacy, STEM training, workforce readiness, and trade skills like welding, mechanics, and plumbing to prepare youth for real-world success.

✅ Mental Wellness & Mentorship – Many young people struggle with emotions, trauma, and self-doubt. Our programs integrate mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and mental health support, helping kids build confidence, self-awareness, and resilience.

What Sets Us Apart?
1️⃣ We’re Not Just a Program—We’re a Movement.
We don’t just teach kids; we build communities where entrepreneurs, business leaders, and elders come together to invest in the next generation.

2️⃣ We Provide Hands-On Learning & Real-World Application.
Whether it’s fishing, welding, business, or barbershop mentorship, our kids learn by doing. This ensures they leave with skills they can immediately apply to their lives.

3️⃣ We Focus on Purpose, Not Just Success.
Too many people chase careers without purpose. We help kids discover what drives them, so they can create meaningful, purpose-driven lives.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud that ImPowered Minds is changing lives. We’ve seen kids who had no direction become confident leaders. We’ve watched young people who never thought about entrepreneurship start businesses. We’ve created opportunities for mentorship that are shaping futures.

But most of all, I’m proud that we are building a culture where giving back is the norm. This model isn’t just for Tampa—it’s something that can change communities across the world.

What I Want People to Know
ImPowered Minds is here for the youth, the community, and the future. If you want to be part of something that truly makes a difference—whether as a mentor, sponsor, or supporter—join us. We’re building a world where kids don’t just dream, but take action.

This isn’t just a mission. This is a movement. And we’re just getting started.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding ImPowered Minds: A Grassroots Approach
When I started ImPowered Minds, I made a conscious decision: I would fund it myself. No grants. No donors. No sponsors. Just my own money, determination, and a deep belief in the mission.

I wanted to prove that real impact doesn’t start with money—it starts with relationships, community, and action.

Building from the Ground Up
From day one, I took an old-school, grassroots approach to growing ImPowered Minds. I intentionally avoided launching with a website or relying on technology. Instead, I focused on real connections, face-to-face networking, and guerrilla marketing.

This approach gave us a major advantage: genuine, meaningful relationships. Instead of relying on digital promotions, we built trust in person, creating a foundation that was stronger than any ad campaign or social media strategy.

Why This Strategy Worked
✅ Authenticity Over Algorithms – We weren’t just another nonprofit asking for money online; we were present in the community, showing up and proving our commitment.

✅ Stronger Relationships – Face-to-face conversations create real bonds that lead to long-term partnerships. Our connections weren’t just transactions—they were built on trust, shared values, and a passion for change.

✅ Resilience & Independence – Without relying on outside funding, we had the freedom to shape our mission without compromise. We weren’t chasing grants or changing our message to fit a donor’s agenda. We stayed true to our vision.

The Road Ahead
Now that we’ve built a strong foundation, we’re expanding strategically—but always with the same mindset. As we grow, we’re seeking partners who align with our mission and believe in the power of grassroots impact.

ImPowered Minds started with one person, one dollar, and one belief: that we could change lives. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Would you like me to add anything about your future funding plans or how others can support the mission?

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The Sacrifices of Success: A Story of Resilience
When I started ImPowered Minds, I knew that success wouldn’t come easy. I was working full-time at Verizon Wireless, putting in my eight-hour shifts during the day. But as soon as I clocked out, my real work began. I dedicated another 4-6 hours every evening to building my vision—brick by brick, idea by idea, connection by connection.

I wasn’t just trying to create a business. I was trying to change my life.

I had seen too many people caught in the cycle of working just to pay bills, never truly breaking free. I refused to be trapped in that cycle. I made a choice: I would sacrifice temporary comfort for long-term success.

The Sacrifices That Built ImPowered Minds
🔥 Cutting Out Distractions – I drastically changed my daily habits. I stopped watching television until I no longer had a desire for it. I quit going to clubs and eliminated anything that consumed my time but didn’t bring results.

🔥 Losing People Along the Way – Not everyone understood my vision. Some friends drifted away. Family members who I thought would support me didn’t step up. Instead of helping, some gave up on me. That was painful, but it also fueled my determination.

🔥 Embracing Loneliness & Isolation – In my lowest moments, I experienced an extreme sense of loneliness—but I used it as a tool for growth. Isolation gave me the space to truly learn myself, refine my mindset, and sharpen my focus.

This journey wasn’t easy. There were nights I felt exhausted, frustrated, and questioned if I was on the right path. But every sacrifice I made pushed me closer to my goals. Every late night, every lost friendship, every missed event—it was all part of building something bigger than myself.

The Reward of Resilience
Now, when I look at ImPowered Minds, I see the proof that every sacrifice was worth it. I built this from the ground up—no grants, no sponsors, no handouts. Just pure grit, faith, and a relentless refusal to give up.

Success doesn’t come from luck. It comes from sacrifice, discipline, and an unshakable belief in your purpose.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.impoweredminds.org
• Instagram: Impowered_Minds
• Facebook: ImpoweredMinds by Jasen Glanton
• Youtube: Impowered Minds