wHO IS LUIS?
Luis Sandoval is an inspirational and transformational speaker, author, and youth well-being coach who has dedicated more than 20 years to helping young people discover their purpose, build resilience, and believe in their potential.
From Brooklyn to Queens to a New Beginning
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Queens, Luis grew up in a single-parent household after his parents separated when he was seven. In high school, he struggled with motivation and lacked clear goals and a sense of purpose. Over time, he began surrounding himself with the wrong crowd and making choices that pulled him off track, which caused his grades to drop.
Everything changed when his guidance counselor called him into the office and told him he was not on schedule to graduate on time unless he transferred to an alternative school. That conversation became the deciding factor that changed the course of his life.
At that school, Luis found teachers and mentors who believed in him. For the first time, he began to see what was possible when you have vision, goals, and a reason to keep going.
From Surviving to Thriving
Luis made a choice to take a different path. What started as a season of survival turned into a journey of growth and transformation.
That experience taught Luis something powerful. Thriving is not about where you start, it is about the decisions you make and the mindset you build. It is about believing you can change your story even when life tells you otherwise. His personal transformation became the foundation of the message he now shares with students everywhere.
What It Means to Thrive
For Luis, thriving is more than overcoming challenges. It’s about living with purpose and a growth mindset. His THRIVE Framework gives students a clear roadmap for success by connecting mindset, purpose, and action.
T — Think and Speak Differently
Everything begins with your thoughts and the words you choose. A positive mindset shapes how you see yourself and what you believe is possible.
H — Have Vision and Goals
Knowing where you want to go gives your life direction and purpose. When your goals align with your vision, you move with clarity and confidence.
R — Rise With Resilience
Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger. Resilience is built through how you respond, not what you face.
I — Invest in Yourself
Growth happens when you prioritize learning, health, and personal development. You are your greatest investment.
V — Value Your Time
Time is one thing you can never get back. How you spend it determines how far you go.
E — Execute Daily
Action creates results. Take consistent steps every day toward your goals and never stop moving forward.
The Speak Life Movement
Out of Luis’s personal journey came the Speak Life Experience, a team of speakers and mentors who share his passion for empowering students to think differently, use their words with purpose, and thrive. Together, they deliver dynamic assemblies and workshops that combine storytelling, movement, and mindset tools to inspire lasting change in schools and communities.
When students learn to speak life into themselves, they begin to speak life into others, creating ripple effects of kindness, confidence, and change across their schools and communities.
