Sounds like your average, ordinary kid, right?
Wrong.
In his senior year of high school, Mike realized that being ordinary was a choice.
Since then, Mike has never stopped believing that he can do whatever he puts his mind to. That hard work, dedication, and the reckless pursuit of his passions can turn his life into something extraordinary; that he is the only one who can control his legacy.
For over a decade, Mike has done just that…And he’s never looked back.
From his humble beginnings in Imperial, NE, Mike has since founded two non-profits and influenced hundreds of thousands of youth in high schools, universities, and adults in boardrooms nationwide. Mike lives his life as a "professional teenager" that doubles as a motivational speaker, consultant, and ambassador.
While other professional speakers struggle to remain current, Mike stays relevant by talking about what he’s doing, not what he’s done.
As the Co-Founder of non-profit, Rabble Mill, Mike is working to end generational poverty one young person at a time by empowering kids to discover their passions and build life and professional skills through skateboarding, music and art.
One of Rabble Mill's programs, The Bay, is one of the few non-profit skateparks in the country. Through The Bay, Mike works with young people from all walks of life, encouraging them to cultivate their passions and live out their dreams. Since its first inception in 2011, The Bay has grown into more than just a skatepark — it's a 30,000+ square-foot youth outreach center that focuses on skate, art, music, coffee, and community.
Another program under Rabble Mill is Skate for Change (SFC), a global youth movement that empowers skateboarders to give back to the homeless in their communities. SFC chapters have now spread to 80+ major cities worldwide.
Mike is also the Co-Founder of Find Your Grind (FYG), a career education platform for schools that connects students to the jobs and lifestyles of the 21st century. FYG's mission is simple: to expose, enlighten, and educate students and teachers to the possibilities of tomorrow.
Mike's reality-based video series, The Harbor by Jostens, brings relevant and engaging content to over 10 million students and educators across the globe every week of the school year.
Mike’s passion and momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s been featured by multinational companies and organizations like YPO, Special Olympics, Red Bull, State Farm, TD Ameritrade, and Jostens. He’s partnered up with brands that he believes in to catalyze change in schools and businesses across the country. Even professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler has taken notice of Mike’s drive and shown his support both personally and philanthropically through his Sheckler Foundation.
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Check out Mike's website: http://mikesmithlive.com/
Buy Mike's first book here: https://goo.gl/MVh1qB
Follow Mike on Instagram: mikesmithlive