Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Waite.
Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Facing adversity from a young age, one could say that I was dealt a less than favorable hand. Growing up without a father figure and a mother who struggled to raise 4 kids, mental and physical poverty was the norm. At the age of 6 I witnessed my mother attempt to take her life after dealing with the stressors of being a single mother. After struggling through most of my childhood, I finally graduated high school and felt like I was finally getting traction when life dealt me a blow that came in the form of punch in the face from my stepfather. That night I made the decision to leave home. While most of my peers were deciding what college they were going to attend, I was figuring out where I was going to get my next meal. For the next 12 months, fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety drove my decision making process and after several run ins with the law, I had to make a decision. End up dead, addicted to drugs, or in prison, or join the military.
Joining the military was a scary decision as we were in the middle of a war and there were a lot of unknowns. But the pain of staying where I was greater than the pain of pushing myself to achieve a new level…a new chance at life..
Throughout my military career, I have had the opportunity to:
*Work with the President of the United States (Homeless to White House)
*Get commissioned as a Naval Officer (Navy Nurse)
*Provide medical support to over 12 countries
*Get selected as a Distinguished Alumni from the High school I barely graduated from.
Most importantly, it allowed me to become a Leadership Speaker and Resilience Coach for leaders ranging from elementary to executive levels. As a result, I helped design and launch a program called “Guys in Ties” for young men who lack a positive male influence and are struggling academically and behaviorally. Throughout the 12 month program, we cover social/emotional leadership and soft skill development so that they can have the confidence to be a positive influence inside the classroom and within their community.
My wife Franki and I have 2 boys (Caiden and Lincoln) and are currently stationed at Fort Sam Houston as an instructor for Hospital Corpsman “A” School.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. Fear, Doubt, Worry, Failure has always been a constant that I looked at as a stumbling block until I realized that my journey has always been a stepping stone to do the work I am blessed to do now. It is such a freeing feeling that life never happened “To” me but instead, it was always happening “For” me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As a leadership speaker and resilience trainer, I have spoken to audiences ranging from 20 to 2,000 people. As a Naval Officer, I have trained executive level leaders on effective communication and resilience techniques for leading during unprecedented times. LEAD 360 is a platform I have created that specializes in leadership development and resilience training for young professionals who are looking to cultivate the confidence to lead by character opposed to credentials. The LEAD 360 Method utilizes 4 pillars (Personal, Productivity, People, Purpose) to solidify a “well rounded” approach to leading yourself so that you can lead others with confidence, competence, and connection.
Guys in Ties is a soft skill and leadership development program for troubled youth, more specifically, young men who lack a positive male influence. In 2020 I was selected for a TED Talk on the results of my work and due to a deployment to New York for COVID, I had to opt out.
What are your plans for the future?
My family and I arrived in San Antonio in September of 2021 and are finally settled in. I am excited to get back into the school systems and speak to the youth. My goal is to step on stage within the school system here in San Antonio and empower the next generation of leaders with my story and tools they can use to level up their life no matter their upbringing or current situation. I am eligible for retirement from the military in 2024 and look forward to continuing my work within the community here in San Antonio.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Www.AnthonyWaiteSpeaks.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/anthonywaiteofficial
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Anthony.Waite.7
