Middle school hasn't gotten easier.

And resilience hasn't kept up.

Today’s teens face more pressure, more comparison, and more emotional weight than ever before.

And too many of them freeze, shut down, or crumble when life doesn’t go their way.

The problem isn’t effort.

It’s that most kids were never taught how to handle hard things.

I know, because I was one of them.

Between ages 11 and 18, my parents divorced and remarried each other twice.

I felt awkward, self-conscious, and got teased for being “weird.”

But somehow, I learned how to think my way through it.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was practicing the same resilience skills psychologists now teach through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Those skills changed my life.

Now, as a middle school teacher, certified CBT coach, and teen success mentor, I teach those exact tools—on purpose—to middle schoolers through Sidekick to Hero.

Because confidence, resilience, and motivation aren’t personality traits.

They’re skills.

And the earlier kids learn them, the stronger they become.

If you want your teen to handle setbacks, take action, and grow through challenges instead of avoiding them…

You’re in the right place.

These books changed your life.

Now imagine what they could do for your teen’s.

You’ve read these books.

You’ve underlined, highlighted, journaled, and grown because of them.

But here’s the frustrating part:

Most of us didn’t find these ideas until adulthood.

And now we’re trying to translate them to our teens—

…who just roll their eyes and go back to scrolling.

Sidekick to Hero changes that.

We took the best ideas from the greatest minds in personal growth—James Clear, Stephen Covey, Chris Voss, Carol Dweck, Cal Newport, and more—and made them funny, gamified, and teen-friendly.

Inside Sidekick to Hero, your middle schooler will:

• Learn how to build habits (Atomic Habits)

• Take responsibility for their thoughts (Mindset, Leadership & Self-Deception)

• Communicate like a pro (Never Split the Difference, How to Win Friends)

• Develop confidence, identity, and resilience (The Alter Ego Effect, The Anxious Generation)

• And actually take action on it—week after week.

This isn’t school.

It’s not therapy.

And it’s not just content dumped in front of them.

It’s a full transformation experience designed for middle school brains—delivered by a certified teen coach, CBT practitioner, storyteller & comedian, and professional educator who lived these lessons before he ever taught them.

If these books changed your life…

Just imagine what will happen when your teen learns them now.

Before the stakes are higher.

Before the damage gets deeper.

Before they think they’re too far behind to begin.

So… what exactly is inside Sidekick to Hero?

It’s more than just mindset training.

It’s a full platform designed to build confidence, motivation, and real-life skills—from the inside out.

Here’s what your teen gets when they become a Hero-in-Training:

🎯 Foundational Core Courses

Based on our four HERO Arenas—Headspace (mindset), Emotions, Relationships, and Objectives (motivation and goals)—these short, engaging video lessons give your teen the tools to manage their mind, regulate emotions, build strong friendships, and pursue meaningful goals.

📈 Gamified Progress Tracking

Teens earn XP, level up, and track their progress through personalized hero journeys. It’s built to motivate the middle school brain.

🎥 Weekly Message 4 Monday Videos

Every Monday, your teen gets a bite-sized, funny, and powerful message that ties real-life challenges to proven strategies. Each one builds on a core mindset skill and keeps the growth going week by week.

🧠 Live Virtual Events (with Replays)

• Hero Training Rooms every week: Live coaching and challenges to build confidence and take action

• “Ask Joey” Calls: A chance for teens to get real answers to their real questions

• Monthly Virtual Hangouts: Games, giveaways, and fun ways to build community

  All live events come with replays, so your teen never misses out.

🏆 Quarterly Quest Competitions

Every quarter, teens set habit goals in 1–5 PRISM areas (Physical, Relationship, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Material) and track their progress. It’s about consistency, momentum, and real-world change—with a chance to win prizes.

👥 The Hero Hangout

Our moderated online community is where teens connect, encourage each other, and grow together. It’s not social media—it’s a safe space for becoming the kind of person they actually want to be.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parent Mode

You’ll have access to:

• Your teen’s activity log so you can support their growth as an accountability partner

• Every course and lesson, so you can learn alongside them or reinforce concepts at home

Love it or Your Money Back

I am so confident that your middle schooler will find Sidekick to Hero helpful that if they don't after using it, I'll give you your money back. No questions asked.

Testimonials from Real Parents & Teens