Dr. John Gaines

When life gets tough, students don’t need more rules—they need real stories that show resilience is possible.

In this powerful keynote, Dr. John “Push” Gaines shares his journey from hopelessness to purpose, from being bullied and surrounded by violence to earning his doctorate and helping others rise.

With raw honesty and undeniable connection, John challenges students to turn pain into power, love themselves through adversity, and push forward, no matter what life throws at them.

Learning Outcomes:

• Equip students with a resilient mindset built around perseverance, self-worth, and agency

• Help students reframe personal adversity as a launchpad for growth, not a limitation

• Reinforce emotional regulation and impulse control through relatable storytelling

• Strengthen students’ sense of identity, purpose, and motivation to pursue positive goals

• Cultivate compassion by encouraging students to love themselves and others, even in difficulty

• Inspire behavioral improvement by modeling the long-term impact of character and choices

From overcoming adversity to earning a doctorate, winning a college football championship, and ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Dr. Gaines knows what it takes to win—on and off the field. In this dynamic keynote, he shares the mindset, habits, and values that helped him go from at-risk youth to respected scholar and leader.

Students walk away inspired and equipped with a clear framework for building resilience, staying focused, and developing the character traits of true champions.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the mindset required to overcome adversity and achieve long-term goals
• Learn how to build daily habits that lead to personal and academic success
• Discover how to turn setbacks into growth moments through reflection and resilience
• Identify core values that define high-performing student leaders
• Learn a repeatable process for setting and reaching ambitious goals
• Leave with a renewed belief in one’s potential and the steps to start acting on it

Dr. John Gaines grew up in the harshest of circumstances—surrounded by addiction, violence, and poverty. But one caring adult believed in him, and that changed everything. In this powerful keynote, Dr. Gaines equips educators and adults with the tools to do the same for the young people they serve. With heartfelt storytelling and practical strategies, he shows how one voice of encouragement can redirect an entire life.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the science and urgency behind educating the whole child

• Learn simple relational strategies that build trust and connection

• Discover how to turn ordinary moments into life-changing encouragement

• Identify what trauma-informed care looks like in everyday interactions

• Gain tools to foster resilience, empathy, and belonging in students

• Leave reenergized in your purpose as an educator, mentor, or caregiver

This interactive workshop is designed to develop the inner world of a student leader before they step into leading others. Dr. Gaines facilitates one of the 10 lessons from his PUSH for Dreams Leadership Curriculum, focusing on the foundation of all personal growth: self-image. Backed by research, this session challenges students to reflect on how they see themselves, how that shapes their decisions, and how it impacts the people around them.

Dr. Gaines guides participants to reshape limiting beliefs, build internal confidence, and take ownership of their leadership influence.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how self-image becomes the foundation for personal growth and leadership

• Explore the connection between how you see yourself, how you treat others, and how others respond to you

• Learn practical ways to rewrite negative self-talk and build self-worth

• Recognize how internal beliefs influence academic and relational choices

• Discover how character development stems from a healthy internal identity

• Walk away with a written affirmation or action plan that reinforces a new, positive self-image

This powerful message helps students develop self-worth, respect for others, and pride in their identity, especially in the face of adversity. Dr. Gaines shares his personal story of growing up as a young Black male surrounded by chaos, yet choosing love over hate, resilience over bitterness, and hope over despair.

Through inspiring storytelling, practical tools, and empowering challenges, students learn to value themselves, embrace diversity, and treat others with compassion, no matter their differences.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the importance of having a dream and believing it’s possible

• Build a positive self-image rooted in identity, strength, and resilience

• Appreciate the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion in daily interactions

• Learn how to respond to challenges with love instead of anger or hate

• Gain practical strategies to turn setbacks into stepping stones

• Leave inspired to take action in their schools and communities with empathy and purpose