December 17, 2024 • 22 mins
🎧 Episode 148: From Rock Bottom to Record Breaker with Tia Banks Part 2
In this powerful conclusion of our conversation with Tia Banks, we explore how breaking away from expected paths can create ripple effects of transformation for future generations. From being the "different sheep" in her family to founding Summit Saturday, Tia reveals how personal evolution becomes a catalyst for youth empowerment.
We dive deep into:
- Challenging familial and cultural expectations
- Creating psychological safety in educational spaces
- Recognizing and addressing burnout in ourselves and others
- The power of rest in achievement
- Understanding behavior as communication
- The intersection of physical and mental strength
- Building sustainable training routines
🔑 Key takeaways:
- Self-awareness is the first step to reclaiming your strength
- Psychological safety is crucial for student transformation
- Sometimes the most disruptive students are future leaders
- Rest and boundaries are non-negotiable for success
- Look beyond initial behaviors to understand deeper needs
- Personal achievements should serve as inspiration for others
💡 Quotes to remember: "Climbing a mountain isn't for you, it's for others. It's for who you can inspire." - Tia Banks
"Your mind has to expand beyond your physical capability if you are in unchartered waters." - Tia Banks
🏔️ Featured Initiative: Summit Saturday - A groundbreaking nonprofit youth development program that uses hiking and nature to enhance mental health and build resilience in at-risk students.
📚 Resources:
https://www.tiabanks.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thetiabanks/?hl=en
A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!
Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.com
Follow me on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/
https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/
https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness
http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to Evoke Greatness.
We are officially entering yearthree of this podcast and I am
filled with so much gratitudefor each and every one of you
who've joined me on thisincredible journey of growth and
self-discovery.
I'm Sunny, your host and fellowtraveler on this path of
personal evolution.
This podcast is a sanctuary forthe curious, the ambitious and
(00:28):
the introspective.
It's for those of you who, likeme, are captivated by the
champion mindset and driven byan insatiable hunger for growth
and knowledge.
Whether you're just beginningyour journey or you're well
along your path, you're going tofind stories here that resonate
with your experiences andaspirations.
Over the last two years, we'veshared countless stories of
triumph and challenge, ofresilience and transformation.
(00:51):
We've laughed, we've reflectedand we've grown together.
And as we've evolved, so toohas this podcast.
Remember, no matter whatchapter you're on in your own
story, you belong here.
This community we've builttogether is a place of support,
inspiration and shared growth.
Where intention goes, energyflows, and the energy you bring
(01:13):
to this space elevates us all.
So, whether you're listeningwhile commuting, working out or
enjoying your morning coffee,perhaps from one of those
motivational mugs I'm so fond of, know that you're a part of
something special.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your curiosity,your openness and your
commitment to personal growth.
As we embark on year three, Iinvite you to lean in, to listen
(01:36):
deeply and to let these storiesresonate with your soul.
I believe that a rising tideraises all ships and I invite
you along in this journey toevoke greatness.
(01:57):
Welcome back to part two of theepisode Rock Bottom to Record
Breaker with my amazing guest,tia Banks.
In this episode, we're going todive into challenging familial
and cultural expectations,creating psychological safety
and educational spaces,recognizing and addressing
burnout in ourselves and inothers, and understanding
(02:17):
behavior as a form ofcommunication.
And if you haven't yet, makesure you check out part one,
where Tia talks about theevolution of identity beyond
athletics, navigating depressionand finding purpose after
career-ending injuries, and thepower of asking for help and
building supportive communities.
I hope you've enjoyed this sofar, so let's go ahead and hop
(02:39):
on into it.
What do your friends and familythink?
Do they think this is just wild?
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I was talking to my dad last week.
He was like I don't know whyyou climb mountains.
What do your friends and familythink?
I think it's just now it'sbecome, they've adapted to it,
and you just want to show thatyou can be more than what your
generation says, that you haveto be.
Generation says that you haveto be, and I think that's what
(03:27):
I'm after now.
I'm not after just being anathlete, I'm after the belief.
When my nieces and nephews growup, they can say dang, I don't
have to just be an athlete, Ican be a CEO, I can be an
entrepreneur, I can go speak andempower kids too.
Like my nanny that's what theycall me, nanny I can do more
than what is expected of me.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, you're showing people what's possible by doing
this.
Yeah, we have some people whoare listening, who are educators
, and they see students who arestruggling with a lot of the
same things that you've talkedabout, from someone who's been
that struggling student and nowhelps transform school
communities.
What do you believe thesestudents need most from their
teachers?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
They need to feel safe, psychologically safe.
They need to feel like they canexpress their emotions in a
healthy way.
They need a lot of teachers askme, like, how are you able to
relate to these kids?
It's because I don't go in andjust speak at them.
I will, literally after I'mspeaking on stage, I'll go to
(04:29):
the lunchroom and I'll sit rightnext to them and I'll ask them
how are you, how are you feeling, like, treating them like
they're human?
And there's so many educatorsthat are amazing at this.
I'm definitely not taking awayfrom those educators, but
they're burned out too and Iwould say, before they can step
(04:50):
into a classroom and think theycan change the life, they got to
make sure that they're good.
They got to take care of themat home, take care of their
hearts, their minds, theirbodies, their spirits, so that
they can go in and operate inthe purpose that they've been
called to operate in as aneducator and transform lives.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah and it's no.
It's no like newsflash thatwhen we take care of our
physical health, it improves ourmental health.
And we, in whatever capacitywe're in be it a boardroom, be
it being a leader of a team,mid-level management, an
educator we are modeling toothers how they should do it
(05:31):
right.
We're mirroring things, and sowhen we're taking care of
ourselves, that's what we'reshowing them, that's the mirror
effect we're giving them.
A hundred percent.
There's a powerful intersectionin your work between the
physical challenge and thatmental health.
Right Again, like those two areinterconnected.
For those listening who feeldisconnected from their own
strength, whether it's physicalor mental, how do you help them
(05:53):
find their way back tothemselves?
And that's a great question.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
I think sometimes we have to first have the
self-awareness to know whenwe're not back to ourself,
having the self-awareness to sayI don't normally operate this
way.
I say this because I knowthere's a lot of people that are
probably burned out.
They're burned out as a parent,they're burned out through
their job, they're burned out asteachers or educators, or
(06:18):
they're just burned out in lifebecause they've been thrown so
much.
You have to acknowledge yourburnout.
Or they're just burned out inlife because they've been thrown
so much.
You have to acknowledge yourburnout.
Some people are walking aroundburned out and they don't even
realize it.
So pay attention to certainsigns.
Are you exhausted?
Are you exhausted all the time?
Are you sleeping enough?
Are you sleeping too much?
(06:39):
Like go online Google has somany like stress management and
burnout surveys.
Take a survey and identify ifyou are burned out.
A lot of times you can discoverthat if there are things that
you used to love doing and youdon't do them anymore and you
don't know why.
So I would say first startthere.
(07:00):
Have the self-awareness to sayhow am I feeling?
And now that I know how I'mfeeling, what's my plan to feel?
Well, because as a human being.
It's your right Matter of fact.
It's not a reward for self-care, it's not a reward for this.
It's your responsibility toyourself, to your family, to
(07:21):
feel well.
So how do I get there Back that?
Speaker 1 (07:25):
up about a minute, minute and a half.
Listen to that over again,because there's power in what
you just said, in us claimingresponsibility.
It's different than feelingcompelled that it's the right
thing to do.
It brings it to a whole notherlevel when we have a sense of
responsibility around it.
In working with thousands ofstudents, you've likely seen
(07:46):
many versions of your own storyplay out right.
What's the most transformativerealization that you've
witnessed in a young person whohad that self-belief that, like
I'm just another?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
I'm just average.
I'm just that person who fallsunder the radar.
Positive behavioralintervention support resilient
skills.
We focus on resilient skillsbut it helps them regulate their
emotions.
And I have these two, these twoI don't want to say their name
these two misunderstood youngmen, and the way that they need
(08:37):
attention is through talking.
When I'm talking, the way thatthey need attention is to make
fun of their classmates.
And I've found that I'm like,while I'm trying to teach you on
self-regulation, I'm having toregulate my own emotions.
There was Kelson, my guy.
I'm going to say his name,Kelson Saw something special in
(09:00):
Kelson, but he liked theattention.
Sometimes he would just yell inthe classroom and make fun of
everybody, but I realized it wasbecause he was broken on the
inside.
I found out that he lost hisfather and so his hurt is a cry,
for I need love and attentionto feel this void that I'm
(09:25):
feeling from the loss of myfather.
And I gave him differentresponsibilities Instead of I
made him a leader, because Irealized he is a leader even
though he tries to get attentionin different ways.
So he was my appointed assistantevery single day and I saw a
change when I gave him that role.
(09:48):
He owned it.
And when I tell you I'm talking, dude is a completely different
person.
When he walks into my classhe's like hey, miss Tia, he has
good energy, he's cheering forhis classmates with the
activities and exercises that wedo.
He's a completely differentperson in eight weeks.
So that's special becausethat's one of the most recent of
(10:11):
many.
But it's special to see thatsometimes it's it's not the
first emotion that they'reshowing the anger or the
disruptive behavior.
If you can go past that andlook at the heart like it's hurt
, it's broken, and what theyneed is something different so
(10:32):
that they can bring out theperson that they're supposed to
really be.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
And that's a beautiful example, because from
the educator lens alone thereare kids in everybody's class
who have that kind of energyright.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
But I love what you said.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I knew they were trying to get attention through
what they were doing, becauseyou can't be disconnected and
understand that and pick up onthat energy.
You have to be connected with adesire to see the good in our
kids.
If you wouldn't have done that,though, it would have been just
kids who are causingdisruptions in class, and that
(11:15):
would have been a missedopportunity for him to step in
to his greater self, and how isthat going to go on to impact
his life?
And so I implore people, payattention, be connected.
When people are desiringattention in a certain way, like
(11:35):
tap them, see what it is thatthey need, understand their
circumstances and what'sfundamentally important to them.
That right there can change thecourse of somebody's life.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
I could not agree more with that, and I think it's
the people.
If we're looking at adults, wereally need to pay special
attention to the people thatwhen you ask how are you, they
always say fine and good, fine,I'm fine, I'm good.
That's just a default response.
Sometimes I'll be like, okay,now, how are you really feeling?
(12:06):
I am working through somethings, okay, cool.
Those are the people that needextra attention.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Yeah, and now more than ever and again, I don't
know whether it's because we'retalking about it more, whether
it has been all that we've gonethrough over the course of the
last handful of years, but we'vehad a shift, a societal shift,
in talking more about mentalhealth and shining the light on
that and trying to figure outwhere can we get some solutions
to help people navigate somereally hard roads.
(12:35):
And so I love that you saidthat, because we should be
checking in on people and weshould be paying attention,
intricately, paying attention towhat they say when they respond
, because a fine isn't fine.
Totally agree with that.
Sunny, you talk about movingfrom valley moments to peak
experiences.
What about that climb inbetween?
You talked a little bit aboutthis earlier, but it's those
(12:57):
long stretches, and this can beanywhere.
This can be in school, this canbe in your career, this can be
in personal relationships, butthose long stretches where
progress feels slow or invisible, how do you help people get
present in those moments andfind purpose in them?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Wow, I think it's just embracing what perseverance
is all about Perseverance andbeing able to push and continue
to taking steps.
Because climbing any mountain,an invisible mountain, the
mountain of grief or themountain of depression or
anxiety, like you started in adark place and sometimes you
(13:39):
don't see, you don't really seethe light until you're at the
light.
So the in-between phaserequires this perseverance
muscle.
It requires the self-talk, itrequires more emotional support
and sometimes it may requirejust resting, Like one of the
most important parts of climbingthese mountains is saying all
(13:59):
right, we've been hiking foreight hours, this is a good time
to stop and get some rest.
Eat, pour into our physical,eat well.
So if you have a Sunday I liketo call Sunday self-care, Sunday
pour back into yourself.
Get your nails done like, get amassage or just lay in bed and
(14:21):
Netflix all day, if that'swhat's going to pour back into
you.
So be willing to rest, becausewe live in a go go, go, go, go.
Be willing to rest so that youcan go further.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Being a lover of hiking myself.
Here in Arizona we have someamazing mountains and I know
what it takes for me to do myfour mile hike.
That's like it's the mostbeautiful place to like have
mental clarity and have like acreative flow.
But that's one thing right.
What do you do when you'retalking about the biggest
(14:55):
mountains and volcanoes to climb?
What do you do to prepare aheadof time?
What does that routine looklike?
And, even more so, like whatare your ahead of time?
What does that routine looklike?
And, even more so, what areyour non-negotiable routines and
habits each day that you'reunwilling to miss?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
So when I'm in training season, I set very I
have boundaries for sure I willwake up very early at like maybe
four o'clock in the morning andI'll hike for about four hours.
So I'm very disciplined withthat.
And I also set boundaries withwhen I do have time to rest,
(15:33):
like who can access me my momand my nieces and nephews if
they need me because they makeme feel good, my non-negotiables
for sure.
Setting clear boundaries, beingdisciplined with the way that I
train, how many times I train,training five days a week,
(15:59):
making sure that, as I'm tellingyou and everybody watching, to
have that rest period, I have arest period.
So Sunday, do not disturb let'suse the power of do not disturb
.
And then the prep period alsolooks like doing a lot of
research.
I want to research what's thebest way for me to successfully
get to the summit of thismountain, and safely.
(16:21):
So I'm doing a lot of researchon the countries.
There is a mountain that I wassupposed to climb this month.
It's called Mount Gili.
It's the highest volcano out inAustralia, but it's in a very
dangerous location and I had tore-strategize because I don't
think we're ready quite yet toclimb this mountain.
(16:43):
So it's on the list for nextyear.
But doing the research necessaryto make sure it's safe for me
to climb, who I'm climbing with,what kind of routes can I take?
What are the logistics?
A lot of research, planning inplace.
And then mentally.
So a couple of ways that Imentally prepare is I watch a
(17:05):
lot of amazing podcasts, evokegreatness.
I watch a lot of amazingpodcasts that pour into my
self-belief, because it's notjust the physicality of these
mountains In life, it's not justthe physicality.
I truly mean it.
Your mind has to expand beyondyour physical capability if you
(17:27):
are in uncharted waters.
So pouring into I believe inmyself, self-efficacy, I can do
this, because those are the mainthings that you have to apply
when you're actually on thatmountain.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Get and keep your body right, but your mind too,
because we, our dreams, ourbeliefs, will never exceed what
we feel like we are capable of.
You are doing somethingexciting that I'd love for you
to talk about, and that is theSummit Saturday Initiative.
Who is that for?
Who is that meant to impact?
Thank you for asking that.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
So a few years ago we did a Summit Sunday Initiative
where it brought people innature, so families, friends.
So we created a nonprofitcalled Summit Saturday which is
geared towards at-risk students.
It's a youth developmentprogram.
It gets these kids in naturewhere they hike to enhance their
(18:20):
mental health.
We have mental performancecoaching sessions.
We focus on those resilientskills so that they can apply it
not just in classrooms butapply it in their lives, in
their family lives, in theirrelationships, impacting
(18:49):
students nationwide to help themclimb higher.
And we do an annual hike, aMind Over Mountains hike, where
we take them in a real mountain.
Now, it's not going to be likeKilimanjaro or anything like
that, you know it'll be asmaller mountain for sure, but
it's just to boost theirself-efficacy, their belief and
get them to climbing to the topof that mountain where they can
reach confidence.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
That is so awesome and, like you said, what you do,
it's with the intent toactually serve others.
You're doing this and it'sawesome, but you're doing it
with a purpose and a mission andI absolutely love that.
Last question that I love toask is if it were your last day
on earth and you could onlyimpart one piece of advice to
(19:31):
the world what would that be?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
climbing a mountain isn't for you, it's for others,
it's for who you can inspire,it's for who you can encourage,
so that others, when they seeyou do it, they can climb.
(19:55):
And I mean this in not just aliteral sense, but in all
mountains that we face.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Boom it reminds me of that quote.
May we plant trees under whoseshade we shall never sit.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Oh my gosh, that's real, that one.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Yeah, Hmm.
Well, that is one heck of a wayto end an interview.
Let's make sure I'll puteverything in show notes, but
where can people find you andfollow you?
Get get to be a part of some ofthis.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Yeah, so we have a community, but you can easily go
to the website, which iswwwtiabankscom.
We're in schools all across thecountry helping students and
educators be resilient toovercome anxiety, depression.
We've got burnout preventionprograms and we've got
customized programs to help yourstudents, your staff, your
(20:52):
school.
You can also find me on socialmedia YouTube, tia Banks.
You can find me on Instagram,tia Banks.
It's the Tia Banks, and sowe're everywhere on social media
and our website.
And definitely go to TikTok,because we're really intentional
every Sunday posting aboutself-care Sunday to help you
(21:17):
manage and better, have improvedself-care so that you can
combat the week with a mind overmountains mentality.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Well, tia man, you have shown up.
You have just given so muchthroughout this interview and of
just your experience and how,what you're doing in life as a
mission, you're just pouring outto others, and this is a
perfect example of that.
So thank you for fully showingup.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Thank you so much for having me, sunny.
This was an incredible podcastinterview and I'm so thankful.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Thank you so much for listening and for being here on
this journey with me.
I hope you'll stick around Ifyou liked this episode.
It would mean the world for meif you would rate and review the
podcast or share it withsomeone you know may need to
hear this message.
I love to hear from you all andwant you to know that you can
leave me a voicemail directly.
If you go to my website,evokegreatnesscom, and go to the
contact me tab, you'll just hitthe big old orange button and
(22:14):
record your message.
I love the feedback andcomments that I've been getting,
so please keep them coming.
I'll leave you with the wisewords of author Robin Sharma
Greatness comes by doing a fewsmall and smart things each and
every day.
It comes from taking littlesteps consistently.
It comes from making a fewsmall chips against everything
(22:37):
in your professional andpersonal life that is ordinary,
so that a day eventually arriveswhen all that's left is the
extraordinary.
Welcome to Evoke Greatness.
We are officially entering yearthree of this podcast and I am
filled with so much gratitudefor each and every one of you
who've joined me on thisincredible journey of growth and
self-discovery.
I'm Sunny, your host and fellowtraveler on this path of
personal evolution.
This podcast is a sanctuary forthe curious, the ambitious and
(00:28):
the introspective.
It's for those of you who, likeme, are captivated by the
champion mindset and driven byan insatiable hunger for growth
and knowledge.
Whether you're just beginningyour journey or you're well
along your path, you're going tofind stories here that resonate
with your experiences andaspirations.
Over the last two years, we'veshared countless stories of
triumph and challenge, ofresilience and transformation.
(00:51):
We've laughed, we've reflectedand we've grown together.
And as we've evolved, so toohas this podcast.
Remember, no matter whatchapter you're on in your own
story, you belong here.
This community we've builttogether is a place of support,
inspiration and shared growth.
Where intention goes, energyflows, and the energy you bring
(01:13):
to this space elevates us all.
So, whether you're listeningwhile commuting, working out or
enjoying your morning coffee,perhaps from one of those
motivational mugs I'm so fond of, know that you're a part of
something special.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your curiosity,your openness and your
commitment to personal growth.
As we embark on year three, Iinvite you to lean in, to listen
(01:36):
deeply and to let these storiesresonate with your soul.
I believe that a rising tideraises all ships and I invite
you along in this journey toevoke greatness.
(01:57):
Welcome back to part two of theepisode Rock Bottom to Record
Breaker with my amazing guest,tia Banks.
In this episode, we're going todive into challenging familial
and cultural expectations,creating psychological safety
and educational spaces,recognizing and addressing
burnout in ourselves and inothers, and understanding
(02:17):
behavior as a form ofcommunication.
And if you haven't yet, makesure you check out part one,
where Tia talks about theevolution of identity beyond
athletics, navigating depressionand finding purpose after
career-ending injuries, and thepower of asking for help and
building supportive communities.
I hope you've enjoyed this sofar, so let's go ahead and hop
(02:39):
on into it.
What do your friends and familythink?
Do they think this is just wild?
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I was talking to my dad last week.
He was like I don't know whyyou climb mountains.
What do your friends and familythink?
I think it's just now it'sbecome, they've adapted to it,
and you just want to show thatyou can be more than what your
generation says, that you haveto be.
Generation says that you haveto be, and I think that's what
(03:27):
I'm after now.
I'm not after just being anathlete, I'm after the belief.
When my nieces and nephews growup, they can say dang, I don't
have to just be an athlete, Ican be a CEO, I can be an
entrepreneur, I can go speak andempower kids too.
Like my nanny that's what theycall me, nanny I can do more
than what is expected of me.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, you're showing people what's possible by doing
this.
Yeah, we have some people whoare listening, who are educators
, and they see students who arestruggling with a lot of the
same things that you've talkedabout, from someone who's been
that struggling student and nowhelps transform school
communities.
What do you believe thesestudents need most from their
teachers?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
They need to feel safe, psychologically safe.
They need to feel like they canexpress their emotions in a
healthy way.
They need a lot of teachers askme, like, how are you able to
relate to these kids?
It's because I don't go in andjust speak at them.
I will, literally after I'mspeaking on stage, I'll go to
(04:29):
the lunchroom and I'll sit rightnext to them and I'll ask them
how are you, how are you feeling, like, treating them like
they're human?
And there's so many educatorsthat are amazing at this.
I'm definitely not taking awayfrom those educators, but
they're burned out too and Iwould say, before they can step
(04:50):
into a classroom and think theycan change the life, they got to
make sure that they're good.
They got to take care of themat home, take care of their
hearts, their minds, theirbodies, their spirits, so that
they can go in and operate inthe purpose that they've been
called to operate in as aneducator and transform lives.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah and it's no.
It's no like newsflash thatwhen we take care of our
physical health, it improves ourmental health.
And we, in whatever capacitywe're in be it a boardroom, be
it being a leader of a team,mid-level management, an
educator we are modeling toothers how they should do it
(05:31):
right.
We're mirroring things, and sowhen we're taking care of
ourselves, that's what we'reshowing them, that's the mirror
effect we're giving them.
A hundred percent.
There's a powerful intersectionin your work between the
physical challenge and thatmental health.
Right Again, like those two areinterconnected.
For those listening who feeldisconnected from their own
strength, whether it's physicalor mental, how do you help them
(05:53):
find their way back tothemselves?
And that's a great question.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
I think sometimes we have to first have the
self-awareness to know whenwe're not back to ourself,
having the self-awareness to sayI don't normally operate this
way.
I say this because I knowthere's a lot of people that are
probably burned out.
They're burned out as a parent,they're burned out through
their job, they're burned out asteachers or educators, or
(06:18):
they're just burned out in lifebecause they've been thrown so
much.
You have to acknowledge yourburnout.
Or they're just burned out inlife because they've been thrown
so much.
You have to acknowledge yourburnout.
Some people are walking aroundburned out and they don't even
realize it.
So pay attention to certainsigns.
Are you exhausted?
Are you exhausted all the time?
Are you sleeping enough?
Are you sleeping too much?
(06:39):
Like go online Google has somany like stress management and
burnout surveys.
Take a survey and identify ifyou are burned out.
A lot of times you can discoverthat if there are things that
you used to love doing and youdon't do them anymore and you
don't know why.
So I would say first startthere.
(07:00):
Have the self-awareness to sayhow am I feeling?
And now that I know how I'mfeeling, what's my plan to feel?
Well, because as a human being.
It's your right Matter of fact.
It's not a reward for self-care, it's not a reward for this.
It's your responsibility toyourself, to your family, to
(07:21):
feel well.
So how do I get there Back that?
Speaker 1 (07:25):
up about a minute, minute and a half.
Listen to that over again,because there's power in what
you just said, in us claimingresponsibility.
It's different than feelingcompelled that it's the right
thing to do.
It brings it to a whole notherlevel when we have a sense of
responsibility around it.
In working with thousands ofstudents, you've likely seen
(07:46):
many versions of your own storyplay out right.
What's the most transformativerealization that you've
witnessed in a young person whohad that self-belief that, like
I'm just another?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
I'm just average.
I'm just that person who fallsunder the radar.
Positive behavioralintervention support resilient
skills.
We focus on resilient skillsbut it helps them regulate their
emotions.
And I have these two, these twoI don't want to say their name
these two misunderstood youngmen, and the way that they need
(08:37):
attention is through talking.
When I'm talking, the way thatthey need attention is to make
fun of their classmates.
And I've found that I'm like,while I'm trying to teach you on
self-regulation, I'm having toregulate my own emotions.
There was Kelson, my guy.
I'm going to say his name,Kelson Saw something special in
(09:00):
Kelson, but he liked theattention.
Sometimes he would just yell inthe classroom and make fun of
everybody, but I realized it wasbecause he was broken on the
inside.
I found out that he lost hisfather and so his hurt is a cry,
for I need love and attentionto feel this void that I'm
(09:25):
feeling from the loss of myfather.
And I gave him differentresponsibilities Instead of I
made him a leader, because Irealized he is a leader even
though he tries to get attentionin different ways.
So he was my appointed assistantevery single day and I saw a
change when I gave him that role.
(09:48):
He owned it.
And when I tell you I'm talking, dude is a completely different
person.
When he walks into my classhe's like hey, miss Tia, he has
good energy, he's cheering forhis classmates with the
activities and exercises that wedo.
He's a completely differentperson in eight weeks.
So that's special becausethat's one of the most recent of
(10:11):
many.
But it's special to see thatsometimes it's it's not the
first emotion that they'reshowing the anger or the
disruptive behavior.
If you can go past that andlook at the heart like it's hurt
, it's broken, and what theyneed is something different so
(10:32):
that they can bring out theperson that they're supposed to
really be.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
And that's a beautiful example, because from
the educator lens alone thereare kids in everybody's class
who have that kind of energyright.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
But I love what you said.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I knew they were trying to get attention through
what they were doing, becauseyou can't be disconnected and
understand that and pick up onthat energy.
You have to be connected with adesire to see the good in our
kids.
If you wouldn't have done that,though, it would have been just
kids who are causingdisruptions in class, and that
(11:15):
would have been a missedopportunity for him to step in
to his greater self, and how isthat going to go on to impact
his life?
And so I implore people, payattention, be connected.
When people are desiringattention in a certain way, like
(11:35):
tap them, see what it is thatthey need, understand their
circumstances and what'sfundamentally important to them.
That right there can change thecourse of somebody's life.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
I could not agree more with that, and I think it's
the people.
If we're looking at adults, wereally need to pay special
attention to the people thatwhen you ask how are you, they
always say fine and good, fine,I'm fine, I'm good.
That's just a default response.
Sometimes I'll be like, okay,now, how are you really feeling?
(12:06):
I am working through somethings, okay, cool.
Those are the people that needextra attention.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Yeah, and now more than ever and again, I don't
know whether it's because we'retalking about it more, whether
it has been all that we've gonethrough over the course of the
last handful of years, but we'vehad a shift, a societal shift,
in talking more about mentalhealth and shining the light on
that and trying to figure outwhere can we get some solutions
to help people navigate somereally hard roads.
(12:35):
And so I love that you saidthat, because we should be
checking in on people and weshould be paying attention,
intricately, paying attention towhat they say when they respond
, because a fine isn't fine.
Totally agree with that.
Sunny, you talk about movingfrom valley moments to peak
experiences.
What about that climb inbetween?
You talked a little bit aboutthis earlier, but it's those
(12:57):
long stretches, and this can beanywhere.
This can be in school, this canbe in your career, this can be
in personal relationships, butthose long stretches where
progress feels slow or invisible, how do you help people get
present in those moments andfind purpose in them?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Wow, I think it's just embracing what perseverance
is all about Perseverance andbeing able to push and continue
to taking steps.
Because climbing any mountain,an invisible mountain, the
mountain of grief or themountain of depression or
anxiety, like you started in adark place and sometimes you
(13:39):
don't see, you don't really seethe light until you're at the
light.
So the in-between phaserequires this perseverance
muscle.
It requires the self-talk, itrequires more emotional support
and sometimes it may requirejust resting, Like one of the
most important parts of climbingthese mountains is saying all
(13:59):
right, we've been hiking foreight hours, this is a good time
to stop and get some rest.
Eat, pour into our physical,eat well.
So if you have a Sunday I liketo call Sunday self-care, Sunday
pour back into yourself.
Get your nails done like, get amassage or just lay in bed and
(14:21):
Netflix all day, if that'swhat's going to pour back into
you.
So be willing to rest, becausewe live in a go go, go, go, go.
Be willing to rest so that youcan go further.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Being a lover of hiking myself.
Here in Arizona we have someamazing mountains and I know
what it takes for me to do myfour mile hike.
That's like it's the mostbeautiful place to like have
mental clarity and have like acreative flow.
But that's one thing right.
What do you do when you'retalking about the biggest
(14:55):
mountains and volcanoes to climb?
What do you do to prepare aheadof time?
What does that routine looklike?
And, even more so, like whatare your ahead of time?
What does that routine looklike?
And, even more so, what areyour non-negotiable routines and
habits each day that you'reunwilling to miss?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
So when I'm in training season, I set very I
have boundaries for sure I willwake up very early at like maybe
four o'clock in the morning andI'll hike for about four hours.
So I'm very disciplined withthat.
And I also set boundaries withwhen I do have time to rest,
(15:33):
like who can access me my momand my nieces and nephews if
they need me because they makeme feel good, my non-negotiables
for sure.
Setting clear boundaries, beingdisciplined with the way that I
train, how many times I train,training five days a week,
(15:59):
making sure that, as I'm tellingyou and everybody watching, to
have that rest period, I have arest period.
So Sunday, do not disturb let'suse the power of do not disturb
.
And then the prep period alsolooks like doing a lot of
research.
I want to research what's thebest way for me to successfully
get to the summit of thismountain, and safely.
(16:21):
So I'm doing a lot of researchon the countries.
There is a mountain that I wassupposed to climb this month.
It's called Mount Gili.
It's the highest volcano out inAustralia, but it's in a very
dangerous location and I had tore-strategize because I don't
think we're ready quite yet toclimb this mountain.
(16:43):
So it's on the list for nextyear.
But doing the research necessaryto make sure it's safe for me
to climb, who I'm climbing with,what kind of routes can I take?
What are the logistics?
A lot of research, planning inplace.
And then mentally.
So a couple of ways that Imentally prepare is I watch a
(17:05):
lot of amazing podcasts, evokegreatness.
I watch a lot of amazingpodcasts that pour into my
self-belief, because it's notjust the physicality of these
mountains In life, it's not justthe physicality.
I truly mean it.
Your mind has to expand beyondyour physical capability if you
(17:27):
are in uncharted waters.
So pouring into I believe inmyself, self-efficacy, I can do
this, because those are the mainthings that you have to apply
when you're actually on thatmountain.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Get and keep your body right, but your mind too,
because we, our dreams, ourbeliefs, will never exceed what
we feel like we are capable of.
You are doing somethingexciting that I'd love for you
to talk about, and that is theSummit Saturday Initiative.
Who is that for?
Who is that meant to impact?
Thank you for asking that.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
So a few years ago we did a Summit Sunday Initiative
where it brought people innature, so families, friends.
So we created a nonprofitcalled Summit Saturday which is
geared towards at-risk students.
It's a youth developmentprogram.
It gets these kids in naturewhere they hike to enhance their
(18:20):
mental health.
We have mental performancecoaching sessions.
We focus on those resilientskills so that they can apply it
not just in classrooms butapply it in their lives, in
their family lives, in theirrelationships, impacting
(18:49):
students nationwide to help themclimb higher.
And we do an annual hike, aMind Over Mountains hike, where
we take them in a real mountain.
Now, it's not going to be likeKilimanjaro or anything like
that, you know it'll be asmaller mountain for sure, but
it's just to boost theirself-efficacy, their belief and
get them to climbing to the topof that mountain where they can
reach confidence.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
That is so awesome and, like you said, what you do,
it's with the intent toactually serve others.
You're doing this and it'sawesome, but you're doing it
with a purpose and a mission andI absolutely love that.
Last question that I love toask is if it were your last day
on earth and you could onlyimpart one piece of advice to
(19:31):
the world what would that be?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
climbing a mountain isn't for you, it's for others,
it's for who you can inspire,it's for who you can encourage,
so that others, when they seeyou do it, they can climb.
(19:55):
And I mean this in not just aliteral sense, but in all
mountains that we face.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Boom it reminds me of that quote.
May we plant trees under whoseshade we shall never sit.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Oh my gosh, that's real, that one.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Yeah, Hmm.
Well, that is one heck of a wayto end an interview.
Let's make sure I'll puteverything in show notes, but
where can people find you andfollow you?
Get get to be a part of some ofthis.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Yeah, so we have a community, but you can easily go
to the website, which iswwwtiabankscom.
We're in schools all across thecountry helping students and
educators be resilient toovercome anxiety, depression.
We've got burnout preventionprograms and we've got
customized programs to help yourstudents, your staff, your
(20:52):
school.
You can also find me on socialmedia YouTube, tia Banks.
You can find me on Instagram,tia Banks.
It's the Tia Banks, and sowe're everywhere on social media
and our website.
And definitely go to TikTok,because we're really intentional
every Sunday posting aboutself-care Sunday to help you
(21:17):
manage and better, have improvedself-care so that you can
combat the week with a mind overmountains mentality.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Well, tia man, you have shown up.
You have just given so muchthroughout this interview and of
just your experience and how,what you're doing in life as a
mission, you're just pouring outto others, and this is a
perfect example of that.
So thank you for fully showingup.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Thank you so much for having me, sunny.
This was an incredible podcastinterview and I'm so thankful.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Thank you so much for listening and for being here on
this journey with me.
I hope you'll stick around Ifyou liked this episode.
It would mean the world for meif you would rate and review the
podcast or share it withsomeone you know may need to
hear this message.
I love to hear from you all andwant you to know that you can
leave me a voicemail directly.
If you go to my website,evokegreatnesscom, and go to the
contact me tab, you'll just hitthe big old orange button and
(22:14):
record your message.
I love the feedback andcomments that I've been getting,
so please keep them coming.
I'll leave you with the wisewords of author Robin Sharma
Greatness comes by doing a fewsmall and smart things each and
every day.
It comes from taking littlesteps consistently.
It comes from making a fewsmall chips against everything
(22:37):
in your professional andpersonal life that is ordinary,
so that a day eventually arriveswhen all that's left is the
extraordinary.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com