Q: Usually we hear motivational speakers refer
to themselves as a success coach, life coach, etc. What is a success advocate?
A: I
appreciate you asking this question and what a perfect way to kick off this
interview!
I believe it’s important to support an
individual’s sense of autonomy. This guiding principle is captivated in the
word advocate. I strongly believe a person already has what it take to be
successful and it is my job to support them. The term “coach”
establishes a power differential that could potential foster a sense of
dependency. I want those who I have the pleasure of working with to hold
ownership of the progress they make. I view myself as a collaborative
consultant who wants to celebrate your success alongside of you and not out in
front.
Q: What makes you better than other speakers?
A: (Laughter)… you
really want me to answer this?
Let me say this; I don’t feel I am better than other speakers. We each have our own stories and a skillful way of
motivating the masses. What does separate us is our journey to getting where we are today.
I grew up in a single parent home. While growing
up, I was exposed to many variables that had the potential to impede my
ability to get the most out of life. Some of these variables included domestic
violence, gangs, drug abuse, and life-threatening illnesses. These variables
would lead to me being placed into foster care when I was 10. While in foster
care, I was surrounded by great role models who genuinely cared about my
well-being. I was also taught to believe in my ability to break through the
barriers that kept me from living up to my full potential.
After leaving foster
care and being reunited with my family, I began to approach
life differently. I grew confident in my ability to succeed. This new confidence
led to opportunities. I began to excel as a student, as an athlete and most
importantly, as a person. I have been awarded three college degrees and I am currently working on my forth. It was not until I was placed into foster care that I learned
of the many opportunities that life had to offer.
My
life has not been picture perfect, but it has made me who I am today. Today, I
am an abuse survivor, a former child in foster care, a first
generation college student, a student athlete, a college graduate, a father, a
mentor, a therapist and soon to be Dr. Sir Aaron C. Mason.
Q: How did you overcome the obstacles of being
a foster child to paving a road leading to educational and career success?
A: Let
me clarify something. I was a child in foster care, not a “foster
child.” Holding this perspective has been very empowering and has
allowed me to separate my identity from the labels that come along with being a
child in foster care.
Along with this, I grew up with the awareness
that all things are interdependent with each other and that we all exist within
a system. Acknowledging this as a child helped me successfully navigate
the foster care system by building relationships with caring professionals.
These relationships gave me the opportunity to feel a part of a nurturing community where I began to believe in my own ability to overcome the
challenges that I face.
Growing up in Los Angeles’ foster care system, I
became attuned to the effect that I have on others as well as the effect that
they have on me. With this realization, I was able to notice how simple changes
in my life not only improved my well-being but also the well-being of others.
Since leaving the foster care system; I have been
drawn to the helping profession, using my own story as a resource to help guide
others to change their lives. Guided by my natural, intuitive systemic
thinking, I found myself working in foster homes, residential treatment
centers, the director of a youth centers, and working with students as a
Multicultural Student Advisor and Associate Counselor within a university
system. In these positions, working through a systemic lens has allowed me to
assist in fostering a community of change within the different organizations I
have been employed.
Q: You market yourself as a diversity trainer.
What does that entail?
It is my thoughts that the way we look at
issues surrounding differences are limiting. Much of my work and research has
revolved around taking a look at "issues of differences" through a relation lens.
This approach has allowed me to personally heal as a Black man and witness the
internal suffering of those who take on an oppressive role.
The diversity training that I provide
allow participants to witness the shared humanity in us all, while
also validating the complex needs of an individual who has been
socialized in a society where categories of differences are significant
hindrances to a their over all well-being.
Q: You’re famous for your line, “What we don’t
know about one another can be the common thread that binds us all
together". What does that mean?
A: I
can answer this question in so many ways; for the sake of time I’ll keep it
simple.
At times we are afraid to trust and as a result we miss out on a tremendous opportunity to
deeply connect with people who might share a similar
experience. After ever speaking engagement I‘ll have a number
of individuals come up to me and say how much my story resonate with their experience. When I engage in conversation with someone about our similar experiences I feel a deep connection and compassion. Those little moments is what motivates me to keep
on motivating!
Beside, we all are little vessels of inspiration,
hope, and motivation; however it’s only a matter of unlocking what we are most afraid
of.
