Nobody Taught Us This and We All Paid for It
- Adam G
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
Think about what actually shaped you growing up.
Not the classes you took but the moments that stuck.
A coach who didn’t let you quit. A mentor who saw something in you before you saw it yourself. A moment where you were given real responsibility and had to rise to meet it.
Those experiences didn’t happen by accident. Someone chose to show up. Someone decided you were worth the investment.
Most of us can point to one or two people who did that for us.
And most of us know how different life might have looked without them.
A Conversation Worth Revisiting
We recently revisited a conversation I had with Glenn Ambrose on his podcast Life Lessons and Laughter.
It was recorded a few months ago but the message is just as relevant today.
We talked about something simple but important:
Nobody really teaches the life skills that matter most.
They come from people.
What Happens When That’s Missing
When young men grow up without that kind of guidance, the impact doesn’t stay contained.
It shows up later:
In the workplace
In families
In communities
In the Dominican Republic, this gap is real. A large percentage of boys leave school early—not because they lack ability, but because they lack structure, mentorship, and direction.
In Cabarete, where InspireDR operates, there’s no shortage of talent.
What’s often missing is opportunity—and someone to guide it.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Markendy is a former InspireDR program member.
Today, he leads our email marketing as Digital Media Coordinator.
He’s also built a successful side business in photography and videography—one that now generates more income than his role with InspireDR.
More importantly, he’s now teaching the next generation.
He’s mentoring two current program members in audio and visual production. Recently, the three of them worked together to document our La Fiesta Charity Brunch and gained real experience, building skills, and taking ownership of something that matters.
That’s how this works.
Not theory. Not lectures.
Responsibility, guidance, and the opportunity to step up.
What We’re Doing About It
Since 2015, InspireDR has provided free after-school programs for boys in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
We teach English, computer literacy, public speaking, and entrepreneurship.
But that’s not the real curriculum.
The real work happens in the daily habits:
Showing up on time
Taking responsibility
Respecting others
Finishing what you start
We’ve seen boys who struggled with structure become young men others rely on.
That kind of change doesn’t just impact one life. It carries forward into families, into communities, and into the next generation.
Watch the Conversation
If you’ve ever thought about what actually changes a young person’s life—and what doesn’t—this conversation is worth your time.
Learn More
To learn more about InspireDR’s programs and impact: www.inspiredr.org
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