Mar 14, 2024
JP and I crossed paths on the internet around late 2018. He was one of my first “beta coaching clients” back then, and I always enjoyed my conversations with JP.
We lost touch over the years and reconnected in early 2024.
During our catch up, I got to hear JP’s story in more detail. And honestly, I was at loss for words.
JP’s story is filled with character and resilience, and I am beyond grateful to have him as our guest on episode 165 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast to share exactly that.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
What led JP to do the current work he does today, and his thoughts on the importance of confidence vs English skill when it comes to helping ESL folks
The real sh*t that JP navigated from his younger days that shaped who he’s become
I’ve always remembered JP as someone who was well spoken and would drop nuggets of wisdom - So, we also touched on why JP thinks he’s good with words
And other profound stories of resilience and taking ownership over your life’s direction
Enjoy :)
P.S. And if you loved the episode, you can 1️) Leave a 5-star rating and an awesome review, and 2️) Share the episode on your social media
About JP:
Hello I'm JP. I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. I grew up with a single mom who raised 7 children. Childhood was challenging and I was kicked out of public schools because of my poor reputation and eventually graduated to selling drugs. By the time I was 25 years old, I had 4 children by two different women. Eventually, I got convicted of selling drugs and served a short stint in the penal system.
After I got out I was determined not to return. I volunteered as a way of "showing" rather than telling me I had changed my life around. Overtime, I earned my GED, BA, and Masters Degree. Yet, my peppered past limited my opportunities to teach at the college level even though I graduated magna cum laude with 3.8 GPA. By the grace of God I was able to do maintain good grades while often working 2 jobs, sometimes 2 full time jobs.
I was born and raised in the USA, but I currently live in the Philippines. Currently, I help diffident emerging leaders communicate with confidence and eloquence to their international colleagues. I hold a master's degree in History from The University of Akron as well as a TOEIC and multiple TEFL certifications.
I am a leadership coach, ESL teacher, self-published author of a series, public speaker, and educator with several years of experience in hiring, interpersonal skill training, confidence coaching, and supervising staff as well as teaching various topics: US History, Business Etiquette & Leadership (tactful performance conversations and conflict management scenarios), interview preparation (via mock interviews), cultural nuances about the historical social issues in USA, professional development, and personal governance.
Connect with JP:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/watkinsglobal
E-mail: jp@watkinsglobal.network
WeChat ID: WatkinsGlobo
Twitter X: WATKINS.GLOBAL