MIKE SMITH

EXCITING, PASSIONATE, REAL.

Hailing from Imperial, Nebraska, Mike Smith has dedicated his life to creating impactful changes in youth outreach and education. As a Stanford-certified Design Your Life Coach, he offers unique insights and a dynamic approach to inspire both the youth and the adults who work with them.

Mike is the proud founder of The Bay, a groundbreaking 501(c)(3) nonprofit that’s gained national recognition from sponsors like Red Bull, Vans, and State Farm. But his dedication to youth development didn’t stop there. Expanding on the success of The Bay, Mike made his boldest move yet: co-founding Bay High, an LPS public school designed to revolutionize the way we think about education and youth development.

Booking Mike isn’t just about securing a speaker, it’s about igniting a spark that could redefine the way you approach youth engagement and development. Mike offers more than just motivational words; he provides real, actionable strategies that have been shaped by his extensive experience and undeniable success.

His unique position as a guide to Gen Z, coupled with his entrepreneurial acumen, makes Mike an invaluable resource for those looking to make an impact. Whether your goal is to better understand the Gen Z mindset, enhance your approach to youth outreach, or infuse fresh, innovative ideas into your program or school, Mike Smith can help guide the way.

Mike’s dedication to making a difference is not just his profession, but his passion. By booking Mike, you’re not only inviting an accomplished speaker — you’re inviting transformation, innovation, and an opportunity to shape the future in profound ways.

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Biography

For over a decade, Mike Smith has been an unwavering advocate, dedicating his life to providing resources, opportunities, and inspiration for those most in need. His approach has never been about merely talking — he’s all about taking action and making a tangible difference in the world.

Mike’s journey as a changemaker began with the establishment of Bay 198, a pioneering nonprofit skatepark that provides a safe and positive space for young people. This venture demonstrated Mike’s dedication to helping youth thrive, even under the most challenging circumstances.

But he didn’t stop there. Recognizing the power of education and its ability to radically transform lives, Mike co-founded Bay High. As one of the few public schools borne out of a nonprofit, Bay High challenges conventional education norms, fostering an environment of experiential learning and empowerment.

Mike is also a certified Design Your Life Coach from Stanford and a StoryBrand Guide. These qualifications have equipped him with unique insights and tools to guide young adults in designing their futures, a mission he considers a personal aspiration. He’s on a mission to help young people realize that they are the architects of their own futures and equip them with the resources they need to build the lives they dream of.

Mike’s commitment to empowering and guiding the next generation is ceaseless and is powerfully demonstrated through his latest ventures. One such endeavor is the course he teaches at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a unique program that serves as a beacon for students aiming to disrupt traditional thinking and design a future of their own choosing.

Mike also conducts Design Your Future workshops across the globe. These workshops are transformative experiences where participants are not just taught, but are truly empowered with tools to design a future that resonates with their passions and ambitions. With Mike’s guidance, individuals are encouraged to dream bigger, plan better, and set out on their chosen paths with confidence and purpose.

Speaking Programs

Design Your Future

Designed for educators and administrators, “Design Your Future” is an empowering and transformative program that equips schools with innovative strategies to guide students in discovering their passions, exploring career pathways, and creating a plan for a successful future.

Mike Smith, a renowned Stanford Design Your Life Coach with over 15 years of experience, will share his expertise and inspiring journey in starting a public high school at Bay High and creating Gap Year, a workforce development program that helps young creatives connect their passion to their profession. His unique perspective and hands-on experience in empowering youth make him an ideal expert to address this next generation of students.

Keynote – Design Your Future (Administration, Teachers and Classified Employees)

In this dynamic keynote speech, Mike Smith will take participants on a journey of innovation and creativity, sharing his personal experience in starting a public high school and pioneering the Gap Year program. Drawing from his expertise, Mike will discuss the importance of helping students bridge the gap between their passions and professions, enabling them to design a future they truly love. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies for guiding students through career exploration, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating meaningful connections between education and real-world success. Mike’s engaging storytelling style and wealth of experience will inspire and equip educators and administrators to better prepare students for the ever-evolving workforce of the future.

Workshop – Design Your Life

In the breakout session, Mike will dive deeper into practical tips and takeaways, focusing on helping educators set up an environment at their schools where students learn to design their futures. Participants will explore strategies for integrating design thinking principles, career exploration programs, and mentorship opportunities into their educational settings. Mike’s hands-on approach will enable attendees to leave with actionable steps and tangible tools to implement at their schools. This interactive session will foster collaboration and empower educators to create an environment that encourages students to discover their passions, develop essential skills, and design a pathway to success beyond graduation.

By bringing “Design Your Future” to your school or event, educators and administrators will have the opportunity to transform their approach to career and college readiness. By incorporating Mike Smith’s insights and practical strategies, schools can create an environment that empowers students to embrace their passions, identify their strengths, and design a future that aligns with their aspirations.

Unlock the potential of your students and join Mike Smith in this enlightening program to Design Your Future. Contact us today to schedule a presentation or breakout session tailored to your specific needs.

Note: The duration and specific content of the program can be customized based on your requirements and event schedule.

LEAVING A LEGACY – Leadership
Everyone has the capability to be a leader. It takes courage and passion, and sometimes you have to be uncomfortable, but we can all do it. You’re leaving a legacy on this world whether you realize it or not.

What you do with your life will boil down to one question: “What do you want to be remembered for?”

FINDING YOUR CALVIN – Bullying
The things that you do and the words that you say leave a mark on someone’s life forever. And if you’re a bully, that mark is a scar.

When discussing bullying, Mike references his experience in dealing with young people for over a decade as well as his personal experience with a boy named Calvin that changed his life forever.

RECKLESS PURSUIT – Pursuing Your Passions
Mike has accomplished things that few people have done and his reckless pursuit of his passions has been a significant factor in getting there.

In this talk, Mike explains that every decision we make can have a lasting impact on our lives and motivates people to live life intentionally, with purpose, and with a healthy dose of correctly-applied recklessness.

Reviews

Mike was exceptional! He is genuine and honest, and kids need to be exposed to those two qualities as much as possible. Not only does his message apply to students, but it applies to each of us in some way. We teach kids to build their college/career resumes “helping people”, and we need to teach them to just help to make the world a little better for someone, anyone, that could use a smile or a meal or a friend-and not just today, that person will likely be hungry or lonely again tomorrow…and the day after that. He made me look at “helping” in a whole new light. I would go see him again and again! – Lisa Chaney – United Against Violence Southeast Nebraska

Mike was everything we hoped he would be: funny, inspiring, engaging, real, committed, and accessible. We devoted a whole day to him and it was worth every minute. The kids and staff are still talking about it today. – Jeanne Lemlin – Mt. Everett H.S.

Our kids and staff all stated that he was the best speaker they have ever had at a school event. He had both our middle and high school students completely engaged, he connected with them in a way that got them to think about who they are, what they stand for and where they want to go in life. He is A++ – Tracy Wagner – St. Joseph High School

Mike was amazing. Anyone who participated in the assembly took something away from it. He truly spoke to everyone. The parent presentation was outstanding too. We would highly recommend Mike Smith! – Jennifer Baumgartner – Naperville North High School.

What can I say: Mike was keynote for opening night of our convention and he was awesome. Students and adults feel that Mike is speaking directly to them. They perceive him as telling an important story about life, not just pulling out the tricks of a professional speaker. When it was over , he hung around for hours talking to the delegates, sharing with them, and letting them share with him. It was a great start to our weekend. – Dan Tollison – South Carolina Association of Student Councils State Conference

Mike was an amazing speaker. He was articulate but yet so down to earth. He spoke to 1600 students at one time and they were all engaged. The information he spoke about was all relevant to the students and really made them speak. We had close to 400 students stay for the small group session and the questions that came from the kids were amazing. Mike did a great job answering them and gave the student something to think about. I would highly recommend him to speak at any school. – Rebecca Saffert – Cary-Grove High School

Mike has an unreal way of capturing the teenage and adult audience in a matter of seconds, and keeping them engaged every moment while he speaks. His genuine nature and compelling stories encourage everyone in the room to do a little self reflection, and to become better human beings. He’s extremely gifted, and students tell me time and time again that the event is life changing. Keep up the great work! – Justin Ray – Scholastic Rep- High School Essentials, LLC

Mike was outstanding in both the workshops and assembly. He was personable and told some tremendous stories about his life experiences. He was tremendously easy to work with and the students could not say enough awesome things about him. . – Bill Martin –Director of Student Activities – Oratory Prep

Mike did a fantastic job yesterday. Kids were interacting with him during both sessions, and loved that he injected his sense of humor. Afterwards, I heard several kids speaking about it. As the event facilitator, it was great to see the kids not only listening, but wanting to engage. As a mom of two teenagers in the room, I got to hear all about it from them and their friends that night. They were excited enough to tell their dad about it as well. In my role both as a professional and a mother, I’m always looking for that thing or person that will make a positive impact. It’s a win when kids leave an event not only thinking it was a good event, but also excited and quoting aspects of the speaker. This tells me that Mike is making a difference. My son said Mike was not a boring speaker like many they hear. – Lisa Hurley – York County Development Corporation

Mike brought energy, connection, passion, leadership, authenticity, and vulnerability to our scholars. The scholars began to apply what Mike was saying to their own personal life and how they could be the best person within their home, school, and community. Some scholars parents called and said once their child came home from camp that they made some major positive changes. He is incredible. Thank you! – Jena Mendoza – NCPA

Mike is one of the best speakers I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. His message was outstanding and very relatable. One of the most impressive things about Mike is his ability to make each individual student feel important. He took the time to talk to them individually and didn’t take any shortcuts in getting to know them. I was also impressed with his candid conversation with my ASB Leadership class. He guided them to ask great questions, and inspired them in ways that I have never seen them inspired before. – Shea Runge – Yorba Linda High School

Mike spoke at our two middle schools and our high school today. He did a wonderful job. Our students and staff were very impressed with his story and his message. His delivery was easy to follow and understand at each building level. We would highly recommend Mike to any school or organization that was considering having him as a speaker. – Roger Miller – Gretna Public Schools

Mike Smith provided our students with a great message about making a difference in the world and treating others the right way. Mike spent the entire day at Maroa-Forsyth High School interacting with students and provided small group workshops along with an all school assembly. Mike has a high energy personality that quickly spread to our students and staff. It was a great day at Maroa-Forsyth High School when Mike visited. – Brice S – Brice Stewart – St. Joseph Maroa-Forsyth High School

I would recommend Mike Smith to any middle school or high school as a guest speaker. He really connected with our students on a different level, and his message is still being talked about. He spoke to our students in the AM, ate lunch with them and interacted with different tables, and then did some break out sessions in the afternoon on leadership with smaller groups. ALL of our students felt he was the best speaker they had seen EVER. I can’t say enough positive things about our experience with Mike. – Kevin Shelton – Mt. Johnsburg High School

Mike Smith travels from Nebraska

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