Derek T Freeman is the author of Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens and 88 Life-Changing High School [...] work aims to inspire tweens, teens, parents, and families by providing motivational content and guiding them through the years that are often seen as the most challenging parts of both parenting and growing up. Derek's mission is to help young adults go beyond "survival mode" and into a place of personal power and authenticity - where they can eventually be autonomous leaders in their own [...] a young teenager, Derek struggled with self-esteem, bullying, and fitting in. Moving school systems at the age of 13 threw him into a period of isolation and victimization, shattering his confidence and making his adolescence very difficult. Although his experiences didn't affect his success or happiness as he grew up, as his children have gotten older, he's realized the importance of empowering young people and their families to navigate the sorts of challenges he faced. He has attended countless groups and school functions and, along the way, has realized just how common his school experiences are. He is determined to make the turbulent waters of adolescence easier to navigate for other young [...] is a musician by trade and toured the US for nine years after graduating high school, releasing six albums before the birth of his first child. He then moved into the restaurant business, managing a small team for over a decade. He has two daughters, aged 13 and 15, and a 17-year-old [...] was born and raised in New York and currently lives in Connecticut with his wife, three children, and three cats.