About Curtis Campogni
"If you give a plant soil, water, and sunshine, it will grow upwards towards the light."
Why I Am Writing This
Recently, I received a review on my book suggesting that I better explain my "origin" story.
As an only child who is naturally an introvert, talking about myself feels a bit odd. It's why when I speak at conferences, I tell the moderator that I don't need my bio read, as I prefer to jump into the workshop without much emphasis on my background.
Still, inspiring real change, especially in attitudes and opinions, requires trust. And you can't truly trust someone who isn't willing to be vulnerable. Therefore, here is my first step at being that.
Let's talk about me.
My Journey
Growing up as the son of a dedicated teacher, I was always surrounded by the importance of education. Yet, my high school years were a struggle.
I was a smart kid but not especially focused, and communication wasn't my strong suit. This led to poor grades and frequent suspensions due to fighting or skipping school. Feeling lost and disconnected, I eventually dropped out and obtained my GED.
After high school, I sought purpose in various jobs, working as a CNA, flag football coach, retail worker, and transporter at a local hospital. In each of these roles, I excelled but never felt truly fulfilled. The constant desire for change became a recurring theme in my life, and I found myself moving from one job to another, always searching for something more meaningful.
However, it took years to realize that change without purpose is no better than staying the same.
This revelation came during my time working with at-risk teens in Florida in 2014. One encounter with a teenager who had lost all hope stands out vividly. This young man had no diploma, limited positive role models, and was not interested in college or trade school. Using MI principles, I saw a miraculous change in his demeanor and outlook. He successfully finished our program and eventually enrolled at the University of Central Florida.
That moment solidified my belief in the power of empathy and intrinsic motivation.
Driven by a newfound purpose, I founded Speak 4 Motivating Change (Speak4MC) in 2021. The company was built on the belief that anyone can grow with the right tools, resources, and motivation.
Through Speak4MC, I have partnered with numerous agencies, including BAYS, AMI Kids, Eckerd, Thompson Family Focused, and many others. Each collaboration has been a stepping stone, helping me refine my approach and broaden my impact.
The C.A.P.E. Approach
The inspiration for the C.A.P.E. approach came unexpectedly while watching a Spiderman cartoon with my daughter. As we watched Dr. Strange, the idea of superheroes wearing capes struck me.
This led to the creation of the C.A.P.E. approach: Cognitive Empathy, Adaptability, Purpose-driven Choices, and Enthusiasm.
I realized that these qualities are crucial for anyone striving to be a hero in their own right, whether in personal development or professional settings.
Even though Speak4MC started after being inspired by Motivational Interviewing, the company became purpose-driven after the C.A.P.E. approach was born.
When the C.A.P.E. Was First Worn
Presenting the C.A.P.E. approach to a group of over 200 teenagers in Tallahassee was a defining moment. The energy in the room was palpable, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
As I stood before these young faces, eager yet burdened by their own struggles, I could see the spark of hope igniting in their eyes—a reminder of why I embarked on this journey.
I shared stories of my own struggles and triumphs, illustrating how each element of C.A.P.E. had helped me overcome obstacles. I saw their expressions shift from doubt to determination, and I knew this was more than just a presentation; it was a lifeline for many of them.
Since then, I have presented this approach to various audiences, including youth leaders, workforce professionals, child welfare agencies, and clinicians. Each presentation reinforces my belief in the power of these principles to drive meaningful change.
Professional Milestones
My career has been shaped by a variety of roles that have provided me with a broad perspective and honed my skills. As a Transition Coordinator at Eckerd Connects, I participated in Community Re-entry team meetings and coordinated intakes, orientations, and assessments for youth and families. My work in this role was instrumental in helping many young people find their footing and achieve their educational and vocational goals.
Watching these young individuals transform from a place of despair to one of hope and ambition has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Each success story reaffirmed my commitment to making a difference and fueled my passion for this work.
Founding Speak4MC allowed me to further develop and implement curricula inspired by Motivational Interviewing principles for Florida child welfare and workforce agencies. Conducting training, coaching, and leadership workshops nationally, I have created engaging content for blogs, newsletters, and YouTube, and managed all facets of the organization.
Each step of this journey has been a learning experience, reinforcing my commitment to helping others grow and thrive.
One of the most impactful moments was hearing from a participant who, after attending one of our workshops, found the courage to change and modify their approach with others despite having over 20 years of experience.
They entered a workshop believing they didn't need any assistance and left inspired to explore change from a different perspective.
Personal Milestones
In addition to my professional achievements, several personal milestones have profoundly shaped who I am today:
Becoming a Father: Two years ago, I became a father through unconventional means. This experience has been one of the most rewarding and transformative of my life, deepening my understanding of empathy, patience, and unconditional love. Hearing my daughter call me "daddy" for the first time, I felt a wave of emotions that reaffirmed my commitment to personal growth and supporting others.
Publishing My First Book: I recently published my first book, "C.A.P.E. Conversations: How Superheroes Communicate with Children." This accomplishment is a dream come true and a testament to how sharing knowledge and inspiring others can take you on unexpected journeys. The positive feedback from readers has been incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to continue writing and teaching.
Reaching 2K YouTube Subscribers: Growing my YouTube channel to over 2,000 subscribers has been a significant milestone. This platform allows me to connect with a broader audience and share insights, strategies, and motivational content. Each subscriber represents a person who finds value in positive change, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Looking Ahead
As I look to the future, my mission remains clear: to empower individuals and organizations through services inspired by collaboration, optimism, and empathy. I am striving for big-picture change on the legislative level, while bringing communities together through tools that foster partnership rather than division.
There is a real opportunity to leverage the smartest, most passionate, and experienced professionals across the country to solve problems that impact children and families. I look forward to playing a role in that process.
My vision for Speak4MC is to become the world's most trusted source for inspirational content that influences positive change, raises awareness, and disrupts the status quo. My work is far from over, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Together, we can continue to make a difference, one person at a time.
That's enough about me—now I want to hear your origin story! Share it in the comments of the video below, and the first 5 people to do so will receive a free copy of my book. 😉
After leaving your comment, email me at Curtis@Speak4MC.com to claim your copy.
Connect with Curtis
Email: Curtis@Speak4MC.com Website: Speak4MC.com
Disclaimer
*Statements on this blog reflect the author's personal opinions and do not represent any other person, company, or organization. The purpose of this blog is to provide general knowledge and to raise awareness of tools, techniques, people, and organizations that bring about positive change. The reader is strongly encouraged to perform independent research about the topics discussed.
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