Bio

Woody is passionate about the successful launch of young people whether that be through applying innovation in education, purpose and aptitude discovery or connecting students with hands-on learning opportunities. For over 25 years, he’s helped young adults successfully navigate life-decision.
If you hang around Woody, you’re sure to hear words like, “live life to the fullest,” “purposeful living,” or “world-changer.”
An entrepreneur and visionary, Woody has been a principle player in several start-up companies. In 2004, he co-founded CollegePlus (now Lumerit Unbound) an organization who turns college planning on its head and helps students navigate college smarter and cheaper.
A frequent motivational speaker at conferences nationwide, Woody’s information-packed sessions are innovative and inspiring. Characterized by a high level of energy and enthusiasm, Woody blends each session with motivating and practical information attendees can put immediately into practice.
Woody lives in San Antonio, TX with his beautiful wife and daughter.

Full Session Descriptions

Education 2.0: A Fresh Look at Teaching for the 21st Century

• Confronting the new world of work 

• Teaching 21st century skills

• Inspiring life-long learners

Basic Academic knowledge is important, but will it prepare a student for success in their future employment? Is your student becoming a Collaborator, a Communicator, a Critical Thinker, a Creator? Are they developing Media, Information, Technology, Life and Career Skills? When College Professors and CEO’s are surveyed, they disagree greatly on how prepared a graduate is for life in the modern world. Come learn how to set up your student for success… beyond the curriculum.

Study Like a Genius: Unlocking Your Brain

• The science of how your brain learns

• Reading speed and comprehension (4X your speed)

• Long term memory techniques

All learning is founded on two keys—the ability to take in information and then remember it. Most people are never taught how to effectively learn. Each school year, students spend countless hours studying, only to have the information seemingly disappear when they need it most. Whether a parent or student, in this interactive and practical session, you will learn how to use study tools such as speed reading and memory techniques which will radically change the way you learn.

From Diapers to Diplomas: 5 Reasons Why Homeschooling Works

• The history of modern education

• Education simplified with the new realities of work

• How outside of the box thinking leads to incredible opportunity

Looking for a shot in the arm that you’re on the right track and that your sacrifice is worth it? Join Woody as he blends humorous personal stories from his homeschool student days twenty years ago with the proven benefits homeschoolers experience today. This session will focus on the fundamentals of importance to your homeschool thinking with a reminder of what true success is really about.

Transforming Your High School Into a Launchpad

• Discovering the student through aptitude and purpose assessment

• The importance of hands on learning (internships)

• College and career planning  

In this session, Woody practically walks parents through the high school years and provides a fresh look at the unique opportunities for educators. He’ll talk about dual credit, transcripts, and getting ready for college. But, most of all, he’ll discuss how to escape the conveyor belt of modern education confining a student to a curriculum’s prescribed scope and sequence. Instead he’ll encourage a personalized education which gives students autonomy to learn at their pace and ability, provides hands-on application and ultimately inspire lifelong learners.

Raising an Adult, Not a Child: Solving the Peter Pan Epidemic

• Adolescence stats unveiled

• The unprecedented opportunity to stand out 

• Inspiring young people to greatness

In a world where The National Academy of Science redefined adolescence as extending to age 30 and unaccountability, entitlement, and apathy abound amongst young people, homeschoolers face an unprecedented opportunity to stand out. Be encouraged on the great opportunity and learn how to raise up men and women who are equipped and prepared for a successful adulthood.

8 Practical Steps to Life After High School: Training Starts Now 

• 8 simple strategies to prepare for adulthood

• How mentors and internships can radically change your trajectory

• Why purpose and aptitude discovery are fundamental to success

In a day when education standards have plummeted and the job industry is glutted with a lackluster and clogged employee base, there is tremendous opportunity for those with passion and skill. This information-packed session prepares students to launch into the next phase of life with vigor, excellence and confidence. Topics include: how to dress for success, creative conversation techniques, essential character qualities, time management, résumé and business building and more! Today’s activities and choices will either help or hinder future successes. Look out world—the next generation of leaders are on their way.

5 Mistakes Parents and Students Make Planning for College

• Planning for college is easy if you start with the why

• The top mistakes made preparing for college

• How to save enormous time and cost on college

The words affordable, efficient, or effective are not typically associated with college. In this session, we lay out five proven strategies to help you navigate the college process like a professional avoiding the traps to which students often fall prey. These strategies will save you 30-50% on your college costs, up to two years of time, but most importantly will give your student a huge head-start on the competition. Is it possible to get a college degree without debt? We’ll show you how by revealing the secrets colleges don’t tell.

Navigating Your Student’s Future: 3 Keys to Life Preparation

• The significance of purpose discovery and its role on success

• 3 keys to discovering your purpose

• Tangible steps to develop and hone your purpose 

Most parents have a secret fear of watching their children grow up to make poor, purposeless choices. You are not alone. And when speaking with young adults, we find that many of them feel overwhelmed by the amount of choices they face. However, parents can walk with their children through these decisions, not by knowing the future, but through exploring their child’s unique life purpose, asking the right questions and pursuing real-life experiences.

College Madness – When the Crowd is Wrong

• The shocking reality of college statistics

• What informed students do differently from their peers

• Why thinking smarter about college will do for your future

“Go to school, get good grades, get into a good college so you can get a good job and live The American Dream!” Well, the American Dream is broken and many students are broke when they graduate college. Come learn about crowd dynamics, groupthink and how to make sure you’re on the right side of the incredible changes, opportunities and challenges happening in Higher Education today… regardless of what the crowd is doing.

Now Calling All Entrepreneurs: 10 Musts for Starting and Growing Successful Businesses  

• Innovation and marketing the fundamentals business

• 10 steps to building a thriving business

• Woody’s personal stories of entrepreneurial failure and success

This session is for those who think outside of the box, take risks and are not afraid to put their creative juices to work. Hear stories of entrepreneurs who started small and built wildly successful businesses. We’ll cover the fundamentals of entrepreneurialism and discover 10 musts for starting and growing a successful business.