Turning the Page: A New Chapter in My Journey
By Dr. Manny Scott
Twenty-five years ago, I never imagined this day would come. But here it is.
For the last two-and-a-half decades, I’ve poured my heart and soul into schools, districts, conferences, and communities around the world as a traveling education speaker. My mission has been clear: to inspire students to stay in school, to equip educators to be their best, and to remind everyone that even on their worst day, they can be someone’s best hope.
I’ve walked into some of the darkest places—schools filled with brokenness, hopelessness, and pain—and I’ve seen firsthand how one moment, one story, or one word of encouragement can turn someone’s life around.
I’ve been privileged to speak to over 2.5 million people in person and millions more virtually. I’ve delivered over 2,500 keynotes and 1,000 assemblies, spoken in 49 states and on six continents, and by God’s grace, I’ve been able to help reduce dropouts, raise student achievement, and prevent thousands of suicides.
It has been the honor of my life to serve so many students, educators, and families.
But today, I am turning the page.
The Journey That Changed My Life
My journey began unexpectedly. After graduating from UC Berkeley with plans to become a lawyer, I found myself at a camp for foster children—kids who had experienced unimaginable trauma. On the final night, as we sat around the campfire, I felt a burning in my chest, an undeniable pull from the Holy Spirit, urging me to speak to those young people.
Reluctantly, I stood and shared my own story—the pain, the brokenness, the hopelessness I’d endured as a child and teen. But I also shared this truth: that God had brought me out of the darkness and could bring them out too.
That moment changed everything.
I realized then that my calling wasn’t to practice law—it was to minister hope to the least, the last, the lost, and the left out.
So I stepped out in faith. I began speaking in schools, sharing my journey, encouraging students to persevere, and inspiring teachers to believe in their power to transform lives. That leap of faith opened doors I never could have imagined.
The Weight of the Work
For years, I pushed harder than I should have—traveling up to 300 days a year, speaking up to 8 times a day, sometimes delivering 30 talks in a single week.
It has been exhilarating, but also exhausting. The toll on my body, mind, and spirit has been undeniable. I’ve sacrificed my health, battled fatigue, and walked through seasons of deep emotional weight.
And in the last several years, it has become increasingly clear that there are truths that need to be shared, but they can’t always be spoken in the settings where I’ve been invited. The things that people need most to hear can’t always be said in a school assembly or during a keynote.
I’ve been carrying a burden to speak freely, to teach people how to truly flourish in life—personally, professionally, spiritually, and relationally.
It’s time for me to pivot.
What’s Next for Me?
My purpose hasn’t changed, but how I will fulfill it has to.
I am officially retiring from the road as a traveling speaker, and I am stepping into a new chapter—one where I can speak with freedom, transparency, and depth.
I’m transitioning to YouTube full-time.
Why YouTube? Because this platform will allow me to:
- Share practical wisdom to help people flourish in every area of life.
- Speak openly about my faith and teach from the Bible.
- Offer encouragement for students, educators, families, leaders, and aspiring speakers.
- Connect with people all over the world, whenever they need it.
What Can You Expect?
On YouTube, I’ll be offering content that reflects the full breadth of my calling and experiences. Here’s a preview:
- Motivational Mondays: Teaching wisdom from the Word of God to help you start your week right and flourish in life.
- Wealthy Wednesdays: Insights into personal development, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing to help you achieve financial freedom.
- Family Fridays: Conversations about dating, marriage, fatherhood, motherhood, and building thriving families.
- Service Sundays: Wisdom for educators, insights for aspiring speakers, and tools for ministers looking to serve more effectively.
- Saturday Specials: Passion projects—my travels, photography tips, and aviation adventures.
My Gratitude to You
To every superintendent, administrator, and meeting planner who trusted me to speak to your teams—thank you.
To every teacher who stood in line to share a story, to hug me, or to tell me I kept you going—thank you.
To every student who opened your heart and shared your struggles, your pain, or your dreams—thank you.
You have changed me as much as I may have helped change you.
This chapter may be closing, but my love for you never will.
Join Me on This Next Chapter
If you’ve been touched by my work, if you’re looking for wisdom, encouragement, and tools to flourish in life, I invite you to join me on YouTube.
Subscribe, turn on notifications, and stay connected as I share the best of what I’ve learned in the hopes of helping you become your best self.
I believe God is just getting started, and the impact of this next chapter will be even greater than the last.
The Work Continues
Retirement doesn’t mean stopping—it means refocusing.
The harvest is still plentiful. The need is still great. And I will still be showing up to serve.
To educators: Even on your worst day, you can be a student’s best hope. To the underdogs: It’s not about where you start—it’s about where you end up. To everyone: Be salty. Live in such a way that others thirst for the wisdom, love, and truth you carry.
Thank you for being part of my journey. Let’s turn the page together.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and join me as we step into this next chapter.
With love and gratitude, Dr. Manny Scott Educator | Minister | Mentor
This blog post preserves your voice, emphasizes your journey, and clearly invites your audience to follow you into the next chapter. It’s structured to resonate with your current audience while inspiring new ones to join you.