Beede encourages students to reach goals

Author and motivational speaker John Beede spoke to students of Mountain Brook Junior High School and Mountain Brook High School on Tuesday morning, Oct. 28. 

Beede is currently on a quest to climb the tallest mountain on each continent. He was asked to speak for Mountain Brook schools after Mountain Brook High School SGA leaders and staff members heard Beede speak at a conference this summer.

Growing up in Henderson, Nev., Beede enjoyed playing baseball and video games. In his freshman year of high school, a close friend was killed in a car accident, which sent Beede into a depression for a year. He credits a motivational speaker who spoke at his high school with helping him begin to set goals for himself. 

Beede chose to start by facing one of his biggest fears: heights. He described rock climbing for the first time and eventually overcame his fear. 

"On the edge of this cliff, I told myself, 'I'm going to be the type of person to forge ahead into new territory,'" Beede said. "I realized [that] I wanted to become something different."

Beede's presentation outlined his formula for reaching personal goals. He encouraged students to pick a metaphorical summit or goal and to climb on.

"What I care about is that you find your adventure for your life," Beede said to MBJH students.

All In Mountain Brook brought Beede to speak to MBJH and MBHS students and parents. The group formed this summer with the purpose of addressing a wide set of issues affecting local youth. 

Beede presented "Cilmb On! How to Help Your Children Be Their Best" for parents at Mountain Brook High School Tuesday night. For more information, visit allinmountainbrook.org.

To learn more about Beede, visit climbonsuccess.com.