The Host

Who is Mike Nicholson?

After dedicating over 25 years to education, including 11 years in administration, Mike embarked on a transformative journey upon retirement, seeking a more impactful way to support young people and their families. Reflecting deeply on his career, he uncovered a profound realization: the weight of students' trauma left an indelible mark on his own life, evoking his own childhood experiences. This insight ignited a new path.

Driven by a desire to make a personal difference, Mike pursued certifications as an ICF certified Learning Success Coach and a certified Life Coach, specializing in youth and family. Now, his focus revolves around serving young individuals and families in ways he couldn't have envisioned as a school administrator.

However, the lingering impact of childhood trauma on both the young and those guiding them persisted in Mike's thoughts. Questions abounded: How did this proximity to pain affect his emotional well-being? Do individuals gravitate toward serving youth to heal their own unmet childhood needs? And most crucially, how can the message be conveyed to these young minds that things will eventually be alright?

The turning point arrived when Mike encountered the concept of a therapeutic exercise, visualizing entering the room of his 12-year-old self to provide solace. This powerful imagery sparked the creation of "Your 12 Year Old Self" podcast (Y12YOS). The podcast aims to honor those working with young individuals and assess the impact of daily trauma exposure on their lives. Yet, its primary goal is to offer guidance by asking these professionals a poignant question: "What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self?"

Through Y12YOS, Mike sets out to celebrate youth advocates and provide young minds with the assurance they need, bridging the gap between trauma and healing while nurturing the inner child within everyone involved in guiding the next generation.