Welcome to The First Move™ — Part of the Thriver’s Path™

The Thriver’s Path™ is a connected ecosystem for people in transition—designed to help you move from awareness to alignment to action.

The First Move™ Structured Path is the foundational journey within the Thriver’s Path™—designed to help you move from insight to embodied leadership.
Orvin T. Kimbrough 

St. Louis, MO

Designed for Leaders in Transition

Built for emerging leaders, new managers, and experienced professionals stepping into greater responsibility. If you’re moving from potential to performance—or from competence to confidence—this course meets you right where you are and helps you rise with intention. It also prepares you to fully engage the broader Thriver’s Path™—where growth continues through reflection, community, and practice.

Reflect, Journal, and Realign

Each module invites you to slow down and do the interior work that leadership demands. Drawing from Orvin Kimbrough’s journey—from foster care to the boardroom—you’ll gain clarity, resilience, and perspective through guided reflection and journaling. This interior work is reinforced across the Thriver’s Path™ through reflection tools, guided journaling, and ongoing prompts that help integrate insight into daily leadership.

Lead from Your Story. Multiply Your Impact.

Learn to lead from who you are—not who you think you’re supposed to be. Cultivate authenticity, resilience, and purpose that strengthen your influence, deepen trust, and expand your impact at work and beyond. You’ll carry this way of leading forward—into the conversations, tools, and practices that live throughout the Thriver’s Path™ ecosystem.

How The First Move™ Fits Into the Thriver’s Path™

The Thriver’s Path™ is a connected ecosystem designed to support growth over time—not just moments of inspiration. The First Move™ is where clarity begins. It gives you a shared language, a grounded framework, and the internal alignment needed to make the most of everything else inside the Thriver’s Path™—from daily reflections and tools to deeper leadership integration over time.

Welcome to The First Move™ — Part of The Thriver’s Path™

The First Move™ is designed for purpose-driven leaders—emerging leaders, high-potentials, and seasoned professionals—who are navigating transition, carrying responsibility, and ready for greater clarity and alignment in how they lead and live. Inspired by Orvin Kimbrough’s journey from foster care to the boardroom, this course is grounded in resilience, faith, and lived leadership experience. It’s not about learning leadership theory—it’s about doing the interior work that shapes how leadership shows up on the outside. Through this course, you will:  -- Reframe your thinking to gain clarity and perspective  -- Reclaim your agency so you lead with confidence and intention  -- Rename your possibilities and align your leadership with who you are       becoming The First Move™ equips you to lead from your story, expand your influence, and increase your impact—personally and professionally. The First Move™ is not the finish line—it’s the foundation. This is where your next chapter begins. Make your first move.

Meet Orvin Kimbrough

Join Orvin Kimbrough—former foster youth, educator, author, and CEO of a $3 billion asset bank—on a leadership journey shaped by lived experience, from foster care to the boardroom. Orvin doesn’t teach leadership from theory alone; he teaches from responsibility, reflection, and results. Through real-world insight, guided reflection, and practical guidance, you’ll learn how to lead from your story, grow with intention, and become the kind of leader who strengthens others along the way.

Course Curriculum

14 Chapters · 199 Lessons

  1. 1

    START HERE: Welcome From Orvin Kimbrough & Syllabus

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      Your Roadmap: The First Move™ Syllabus

  2. 2

    Prework | Foundations of Thriving Leadership

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Orientation

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      Theory Behind The First Move™

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      Lesson 1A - How to Complete Your Baseline Check - In

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      Baseline Assessment — Where Are You Starting?

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      Lesson 1B - The Boy Who Walked Alone - A Story of Formation, Not Just Survival

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      Triple R Method™ Origin Story Worksheet

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 3B - Social–Ecological Mapping Worksheet

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      Lesson 4: Discover Your Core Strengths

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      Lesson 4B - Strengths → Story → Leadership Worksheet

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      Lesson 5: Practice Activity — Upload Your Strengths Profile

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      Lesson 5B - Micro-Commitment: One Strength, One Action

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      Lesson 6 Journal Reflection Primer

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      Lesson 6: Reflection Exercise — Trauma and Leadership

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      Lesson 6B - Systems → Story → Self Worksheet

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      Lesson 7: Quick Check - Systems & Self

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      Lesson 8: Community Discussion

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      Lesson 9: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 10: Strength Awareness in Practice

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      Lesson 11: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  3. 3

    Module 0 | Prologue – End of the Tunnel Theme: Guiding Principles & Growth Mindset

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      Lesson 1: Welcome from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 1A: Welcome to Module 0 — End of the Tunnel.

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Reflection Exercise — Your Guiding Principles

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      Lesson 5: Practice Activity — Leadership Principles Manifesto

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      Lesson 5A: Micro-Anchor — Why Principles Matter in Communication

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Mindset & Communication

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  4. 4

    Module 1 | Fatherless Child Theme: Resilience in Adversity

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 1: Welcome

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4 — Reflection Exercise: Resilience & Leadership

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      Lesson 4A — What Resilience Really Means in Leadership

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      Lesson 5 — Practice Activity: Resilience in Action

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      Lesson 5A — Resilience → Teams Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 6 — Quick Check: Recognizing Resilience

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      Lesson 7 — Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8 — Triple R Integration: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  5. 5

    Module 2 | Distance Theme: Forgiveness & Healing from Hurt

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 0: Pre-Module - Systemic Survival & The Distance Between Who You Were and Who You’re Becoming

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      Lesson 1: Welcome

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Introduction

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      Lesson 4: Reflection Exercise: Forgiveness in Leadership

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      Lesson 5: Forgiveness → Conflict → Clarity Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity: Conflict-Resolution Framework

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check - Forgiveness & Conflict

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8: Triple R Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Pause & Notice: Your Growth Snapshot

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  6. 6

    Module 3 | Kids Cry Out Theme: Determination & Awareness of Triggers

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 0: Pre-Module - Beaten But Not Broken

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      Lesson 1: Welcome

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor — Before You Reflect: Why Triggers Matter

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise — Triggers and Leadership

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      Lesson 5: Coaching Through Emotion Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity — Coaching Through Triggers

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Emotional Intelligence & Feedback

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  7. 7

    Module 4 | Never Stray Theme: Hope, Faith & Supportive Networks

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 0: Pre-Module - Beaten But Not Broken

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      Lesson 1: Welcome

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      Lesson 1A: Story Integration: Fathers & Figures

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      Lesson 1B: Fathers & Figures

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials and Resources

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      Lesson 4: Micro-anchor: Before You Reflect - The Voice of Hope

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise: Hope in Leadership

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      Lesson 5: Hope → Trust → Belonging Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity: Letter to My Future Team

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check: Trust & Team Belonging

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion

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      Lesson 8: Reframe - Reclaim - Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary and Next Step

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  8. 8

    Module 5 | Peace Within Me Theme: Inner Peace, Vision & Vulnerability

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Framing

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor — Before You Reflect: Peace Creates Vision

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise — Peace and Vision

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      Lesson 5: Calm Leadership Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity — 12–24 Month Leadership Vision Statement

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Vision & Alignment

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  9. 9

    Module 6 | What I’ve Seen Theme: Meaning in Experiences

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 0: Anchor Story

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Framing

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise — Seeing Meaning in Data

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      Lesson 5: Systems Thinking Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity — Case Study Analysis

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Operational Awareness

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  10. 10

    Module 7 | Why’d I Make It Theme: Effort, Perseverance & Networks

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      Message from Orvin Kimbrough

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Framing

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 3B: CASE STUDY: Failure, Grit & Meaning-Making

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor — Before You Reflect: What Keeps You Moving

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise — Perseverance in Practice

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      Lesson 5: Grit → Discipline → Momentum Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity — Career Development Plan

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Perseverance & Growth

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  11. 11

    Module 8 | Forgiveness Theme: Reframing Pain into Power

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      Lesson 0 — Anchor Story: Becoming a Man, From Pain to Wholeness

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Framing

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor — Before You Reflect: The Leadership Gift of Release

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise — From Pain to Strength

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      Lesson 5: Pain → Insight → Strength Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity — The Reframe Plan

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Pain into Power

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  12. 12

    Module 9 | Thanks Theme: Vision, Adaptability & Inclusion

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      Lesson 0: Anchor Story

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Framing

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor — Before You Reflect: The Posture of Leadership

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise

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      Lesson 5: Adaptability → Awareness → Inclusion Mini-Framework

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      Lesson 5A: Practice Activity — Adaptability Video Reflection

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check — Adaptability & Inclusion

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      Lesson 7: Community Discussion (Optional)

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Steps

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  13. 13

    Module 10 | Epilogue Theme: Vulnerability, Accomplishment & Legacy

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      Lesson 0 — Anchor Story (Read Before You Begin)

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      Lesson 1: Welcome & Framing

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      Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

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      Lesson 3: Required Materials & Resources

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      Master Class - At the Beginning

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      Lesson 4: Micro-Anchor - Before You Reflect

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      Lesson 4A: Reflection Exercise - Defining Legacy & Next Move

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      Lesson 5: Mini-Framework - From Stuck to Strengthened

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      Lesson 5A: Core Artifact - Leadership Differentiator & Next Move Statement

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      Lesson 6: Quick Check - Strength in Scars

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      Lesson 7: Community Witness

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      Lesson 8: Reframe–Reclaim–Rename Integration

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      Lesson 9: Instructor Insight and Masterclass

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      Lesson 10: Summary & Next Step

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      Epilogue - The Four Gravities

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

  14. 14

    Capstone | Leadership Portfolio Time Commitment: 2–3 hours

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      Lesson 1: Congratulations & Framing — "You Are Becoming"

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      Lesson 1A: Micro-Anchor — “Your Story Has Weight”

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      Lesson 2: Portfolio Instructions

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      Lesson 2A: The R3 Integration Grid

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      Lesson 2B: Identity Activation — Before You Submit

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      Lesson 3: Submission Format & Instructions

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      Lesson 4: Assessment & Certificate Release

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      Lesson 5: “Declare Your Leadership”

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      Lesson 6: Instructor Insight — The Leadership Awakening

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      Lesson 7: Capstone Overview and Leadership Portfolio Guide

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      Capstone Final

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      Lesson 8: Course Completion

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      Thinkific Digital Journal

What People Are Saying

Discover how the Thriver’s Journal is empowering leaders to embrace their stories and grow confidently.

”
This wasn’t about finishing a course. It was about building a system that forms identity, not just competence. What we created holds together because it’s honest, intentional, and designed to last.
Monica L.

Collinsville, IL

”
This work honors the full human journey. It doesn’t rush healing or manufacture confidence. It creates space for people to tell the truth about their lives—and that’s where real leadership begins
Crystall S. 

Executive in Transition

”
Most programs teach people what to do. This one teaches people who they are becoming. That’s why it will travel, scale, and endure
MJ L.

Tampa, Florida

”
This isn’t a course completion—it’s a commissioning. The work is whole, the arc is clear, and the impact will extend far beyond the screen
Nicole L.

St. Louis, MO

Continue Your Leadership Journey

You’ve taken an important step. Continue your growth inside The Thriver’s Path™, where each chapter builds clarity, confidence, and alignment in how you lead and live. $5,000 / year Founding Beta Member Rate: $3,500 (limited availability)

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