Your Younger Self
“COACHING ADVICE FROM THE UNFILTERED, PRE-SELFIE IMAGE OF YOUR YOUNGER SELF”
In my work, I’m often called upon to deliver powerful presentations—whether to executive teams or intimate groups—with the goal of forging deep connections. I thrive on designing unique, immersive experiences that don’t just inform but leave a lasting emotional impact. My mission is to create moments that resonate long after the session ends, not fade into memory like so many forgettable talks. There’s nothing more exhilarating than watching an audience light up with sudden insight, as interactive exercises spark real, transformative epiphanies.
We've all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words," but I believe certain photographs capture something far beyond words—an essence that speaks immeasurable volumes. Lately, I've been challenging my clients and audiences to dive into their old photo albums or scroll to the top of their camera roll, searching for images that evoke the most powerful emotions. I ask them to find the ones that encapsulate triumph, grief, inner conflict, deep love, vulnerability, and raw authenticity—the images that don’t just remind them of the past but transport them back to it. Then, I invite them to share the untold stories behind those moments. Time and time again, I’ve watched this simple yet profound exercise spark tears, uncontrollable laughter, deep empathy, and instant connection. It’s become one of the most impactful tools in my work, and my mission is to bring it to as many people as possible—to inspire insight, ignite inspiration, and foster human connection in a way that words alone never could.
Go find a photo of your younger self—maybe even from childhood—that captures the essence of who you truly are. Not the polished, filtered version, but the raw, unshaken, unapologetically authentic you. The purest, most confident, unaffected version of yourself. Maybe an image is already flashing in your mind, but don’t just stop there—go seek it out. Dig through that old album, open that dusty drawer, scroll back through the years. Seek out the moment when you knew yourself—when your confidence wasn’t shaped by outside validation, when your worth was never in question, when you showed up as you without hesitation or compromise.
That version of you? They were never lost. They’ve been with you all along, waiting to be seen, heard, and embraced again. It’s time to remember them as a guiding force. Because maybe, just maybe, they are the guide you’ve been searching for all along. The coach. The healer. The voice of unwavering belief. The one who always knew your strength, your worth, your truth—long before the world tried to make you forget. It’s time to bring them forward. To listen. To trust. To come home to you. So… lean in. Be still. What are they whispering or screaming to you?
YOU GAME TO TRY? (I would love it if you shared the experience with me personally at hello@humanleigh.com, but if you prefer, maybe share this exercise with a close friend and bring it to interactive life!!)
Here’s mine… Little Leigh is saying:
“I am happiest when I’m expressing myself unabashedly …whether it’s with impractically sized jackets, hockey skates instead of figure skates, and berets that barely tame the snowflakes falling into my 80’s bouffant. I define who I am—not trends, not expectations, not someone else’s version of “appropriate.” The moments I feel most alive are the ones where I embrace my truth, when I stop chasing approval and start following what lights me up inside. And the world? It responds with open arms when I show up with joy, generosity, authenticity, and a little bit of rebellious confidence. My mom’s smile? Worth more than a million social media “likes.” My dad’s high fives? Still powering me like an endless battery. I decide whose opinion matters. Somewhere around 14, I started asking for permission—from the world, from people who didn’t matter, from mirrors that never held the real answer. And that’s when the magic started slipping away. So LISTEN UP to this truth: Stop seeking validation in reflections and algorithms. Start listening to what feels right in your bones. Your joy, your inner peace—they don’t lie. But outside validation? Oh, it’ll sell you a whole bunch of brands of bullshit. "
“Just be Leigh. That’s all you ever needed to be. And that’s more than enough.”
P.S. Some personal news! I’m writing a MOMENTUM MANUAL for you!
This is a manual for ongoing and transformative change that I’m creating for my clients, followers, and fellow growers. I’ll be teasing more breadcrumbs as we get further along but I couldn’t help but share my excitement! More soon…
