Motivational speaker Mike Marsteller, of Conshohocken, a 2001 graduate of Emmaus High School, did not mince words in his four presentations to Emmaus High School students over two days, Nov. 17 and 24.

"People are too quick to judge us and we are too quick to judge ourselves," Marsteller said. To face the inevitable hardships of life, "we need to seek a deep understanding of ourselves, and let that be our guide to all our relationships," Marsteller told his audiences.

"One of the things that will help us in our relationships, is to develop a genuine feeling of empathy to what other people are feeling," Marsteller advised. "People who have the ability to make you feel great are the ones who you should gravitate to, because they will help you feel good about yourself," he said.

Marsteller grew up in Emmaus and learned how to overcome adversity by taking life's hardships and turning them into motivational opportunities he revealed.

Throughout childhood and adolescence, Marsteller struggled with the constant void of one of the most important role models in a young man's life after his father lost his battle with cancer when Marsteller was just one year old. Raised in a single-parent household, Marsteller said he embraced and kept close to his heart the values and ethics taught by his mom, family members and friends.

Marsteller's presentation, "Be you and Breakthrough," is about inspiring positive change, making good choices, finding your own hidden courage and expanding your view of what is possible," Marsteller said. "Everyone is capable of being average, because average is easy – especially when we face obstacle and adversity," Marsteller said

Using bold and very personal stories young people can relate to, Marsteller took the EHS students on a journey to employ specific strategies for perseverance, resiliency and positive thinking skills to help them make good choices and not get lost in the status quo. Marsteller illustrated his own personal resilience by relating a story of his decision to take his motivational presentation on the road to groups across the country. One of his best friends was very negative when he revealed his plans to her.

"If I had listened to her, I would not be here today," Marsteller said. "Don't listen to the negativism. Understand who you are and let the world make you as great as you can be."