Freddie Almazan

Victim to Victor

How Our Challenges Offer An Opportunity To Develop Our Character

Often, teens adopt a victim mentality when faced with adversity, blaming others for their problems rather than seeking solutions. To an emotionally healthy teenager, a resilient response may come as second nature. However, to a teenager who wasn’t raised in an emotionally supportive environment, a challenging situation, such as trauma, can have a devastating impact on their mental health. Many will struggle with depression and turn to self-destructive behaviors. Uncommonly, resulting in suicide (Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens, CDC).

However, according to Psychologist Scott Kauffman, there is no correlation between experiencing trauma or victimization with possessing the victimhood mindset. In other words, ANY teen is susceptible to developing a victimhood mindset.

Through use of his story, Freddie helps teens deconstruct the victimhood mindset so they embrace adversity as an opportunity to grow. Freddie demonstrates that our challenges offer an opportunity to develop our character, our imperfections make us beautiful and forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves.

Through key lessons, Freddie challenges his audience to face their fears, to take risks, to put themselves first, and ultimately, to reach their fullest potential.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Our challenges offer an opportunity to grow
• You are more beautiful for being broken
• Wishing for change will change nothing. Taking action will change everything
• Forgiveness is a choice for freedom

Appropriate for Grades 7 Through College Level