Alumni and life coach comes back to Meramec
Carlos Restrepo
– Editor-in-Chief –
Todd Newton, STLCC-Meramec alumnus and life coach, had to choose from cities such as New York and Los Angeles for the recording of his first DVD of the motivational presentation, “Put Your Best into Action.”
Instead, he chose St. Louis, his hometown, and the Meramec theater as his scenery.
The presentation was opened by Maven Hoffman, former WWE tag team champion.
“It’s great to be back,” Newton said after his presentation. “I even got excited when I pulled in the other day and got a parking spot so close; that never happened to me as a student.”
Newton, who began his career as a radio commetator for WKBQ-FM in St. Louis as radio personality Rick Idol, has also been featured on national TV channels such as E!, Gameshow Network, VH1 and the Home Shopping Network.
Newton is now a certified mentor of the Coach Training Alliance and the International Coaching Federation.
Through his company, Todd Newton Life Strategies, he said Meramec was a group that deserved the presentation.
“We walked away feeling this was an incredible group,” Newton said. “They are great students: very receptive and eager to learn.”
Before his presentation, Hoffman talked about his struggles and successes in life.
Through his story of overcoming a painkiller addiction, Hoffman said there is not an obstacle big enough that cannot be overcome.
“You can never dream too big,” Hoffman said. “There is no such thing as the word ‘can’t.’”
When Newton came on stage, he sent students a message to be positive, stay in school and try to overcome any adversities.
“There is nothing you can’t do,” Newton said. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.”
Stephen Petersen, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Affairs, attended the event. He saw this as a great opportunity for students.
“I thought it was fantastic,” Petersen said. “Talk about a powerful message about how to live your life and the choices you make. I thought it was very well done.”
Petersen said the message can also inspire students amidst these tough economic times.
“The economic situation is short term,” Petersen said. “You can get through any kind of adversity.”
All the funds from the sales of the DVD recorded at the theater will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which Newton sponsors.
Newton was so pleased by the presentation he said that if he had the chance, he would participate in an event like this again.
“Any time they will have us, we will come back,” Newton said.
