My Purpose.

I was only 16 when I first threw myself into the business of helping others…

It all started with a story, a mission, and a blog which quickly led to speaking at hundreds of schools, conferences, and events across the nation. At that point, as a 16-year-old, my viewpoint of helping others was very narrow. I was using my experiences to guide other teens through their mental health challenges.

Then I learned about the glorious world of marketing, and my young teenage eye grew wide with the possibilities. I realized then that I could help so many through products and services to grow businesses, and then I was off.

There’s no stopping me now.

Tragic Beginnings.

I know suffering intimately. I’ve been facing hopelessness for as long as I remember. And I’ve never stopped fighting against myself to push past these barriers that have had a hold on me for my entire life.

When I was just a child I started suffering from clinical major depression and anxiety which only grew worse as I hid my pain from the world. I had no hope, no positive outlook, and believed that the world would be better off without me. It wasn’t until I was 16-year-old that, after surviving multiple serious suicide attempts, I started getting the help I needed. And the more I learned about my conditions, the more I realized that I had to do something with this story to help the 1 in 3 suffering like me. 

“When Luke came and spoke to our school, I was astounded by his testimony and his knowledge on the topic of depression and suicidal issues.”

~C.M. 12th grade

The Turning Point.

It all started with a video my brother and I filmed on an out-of-tune piano, a cheap camera, and free editing software. But when it started blowing up on YouTube, I realized first hand the power of raw storytelling.

So I kept doing that exact thing. Blog posts, videos, and conversations with people who came to me because no other teenager was doing what I was doing. Soon, the media started to pick up my story, and then I got my first speaking engagement.

And that’s when I fell in love with public speaking. It felt like no time at all before I was touring the US and then speaking internationally while sharing my story of hope.

“Not only did Luke captivate the entire 2000 students he spoke to, his impact was so great, he saved a life by touching a Senior who was in crisis.”

Kym Szalkiewicz
President | Carlsbad High School PTSA

Becoming the Expert.

This is simple. In my quest to grow and learn and start my new chapter in life, I took classes at a local community college and got a job at a marketing firm. I learned a few things really quickly. One, that I couldn’t learn in a school environment. Two, that I loved web design. Three, that sales was something I wanted to learn everything about and perfect.

I saw an opportunity with the connections I was making, so I started a marketing firm with my best friend. Financially, it went great, but we knew that we weren’t passionate about this field to stay on this path. It was around this time I started my podcast, Communicate with Confidence, and began learning and documenting my career.

I realized that I still was barely old enough to drink, so why try to rush into an industry and stay there?!

So I began meeting people. My mission was to find mentors, freelance work, and stories to share. And boy did I accomplish that task.

Currently, I am focusing 100% of my energy into working with nonprofits dedicated to mental health and/or LGBT+ resources and advocacy as well as getting to know more activists in those areas that I can be inspired and learn from. It’s amazing to me to see what others are doing as a force for good in the world. And I can’t wait to help or promote them in their mission.

“Luke is AWESOME! I have a page full of value that I can now execute on thanks to him.”

Lindsey Torres

Podcast.

Contact.

LET’S TALK.

Whether it’s for speaking, coaching, or just to say hi.