Grow UP!
Unapolagetic Passion: Find it. Grow it. Live it. Unapologetic Passions aren’t just things you do — they’re the things that light you up, push you to grow, and help you heal. Izzy's message challenges students to live boldly, think differently, and actively build a life driven by what matters most to them.
Meet Izzy
Isaiah “Izzy” Carrington is on a mission to help students discover what it really means to grow up — by living their Unapologetic Passions. From a shy high schooler to an inspiring speaker and coach, Izzy blends humor, heartfelt stories, and practical takeaways to empower middle and high school students to pursue their passions boldly. As a teen, Izzy was the kind of student who needed a program like Operation Snowball — a youth leadership initiative at his high school. It was there that he saw a motivational speaker for the first time and made a bold promise to himself: One day, I’m going to do that. There was just one problem: he had one friend, zero confidence, and couldn’t even talk to his crush. He had no idea how he’d get there — but he knew it would require growth. And grow he did. How? Now, that's the tea that Izzy is dying to spill. Today, Izzy holds a master’s degree in communication studies from Southern Illinois University, teaches public speaking at Harper College, and is a nationally ranked powerlifter. Now, he's back onstage pursuing his dream — speaking to students and telling them what he once needed to hear when he was in their seat.
Our Services
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Keynote Presentation: Grow UP! Find, Grow and Live Your Unapologetic Passions
What does it really mean to "grow up"? Isaiah Izzy Carrington challenges students to rethink the journey by inspiring them to live out their Unapologetic Passions (UP) with confidence and purpose. With a master’s degree in communication and years of experience as a youth leader, Izzy brings a message students need now more than ever: live unapologetically by pursuing your passions. Blending relatable storytelling, playful energy, and practical takeaways, Izzy shares how he “grew up” into his healthiest, happiest self—and how students can too. Izzy’s talks take audiences on an emotional yet uplifting journey, exploring how he found, grew, and now lives through his passions—even while navigating depression, toxic relationships, and self-doubt. His message is raw, real, and deeply hopeful: with intentional action, the life of your dreams is within reach. Izzy has spoken to thousands of middle and high school students across the country—students who are now shifting their mindset, practicing, and stepping boldly into their passions. His message resonates with teens searching for direction, reminding them they have the power to rewrite their story and chart a new course with purpose. If you’re ready to help your students rise up, step up, and grow up, book Izzy’s transformative keynote, Grow UP!: Find, Grow and Live Your Unapologetic Passions (UP)!
Learning Outcomes
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Find your passions using your values
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Develop a growth mindset
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Set healthy habits to progress towards goals
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Lean into passions when life is hard
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Passions protect you from bad decisions
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Keynote/Workshop: A Daily D.O.S.E. of Happiness
What does it mean to be happy? How can we strive to bring intentional and healthy happiness into our lives? In this presentation, students will learn about the 4 neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that make you feel happy and how to activate them in meaningful ways. Through discussion, reflection and engaging activities, students will leave not only feeling more knowledgeable but having experienced a release of all of these different forms of happiness by the time they walk out the doors.
Learning Outcomes
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Learn and understand the 4 different neurotransmitters of happiness (Dopamine, Oxtyocin, Seratonin and Endorphins)
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Discuss what it means to be "happy"
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Create personal Daily D.O.S.E. of Happiness (mini-worksheet)
- Improve resilience to substances through happiness as a means of prevention
- Activate all happiness chemicals
