Motivational speaker Lamarr Womble addressed students and staff at Western Nevada College’s Carson City campus on Tuesday, Aug. 5, sharing strategies to support mental health and self-confidence. The event was part of the College Readiness Education for Students in Transition (CREST) program’s annual motivational speaking series, organized by WNC’s Disability and Support Services and DETR-VR.
Womble, a representative of CoolSpeak, encouraged attendees to take charge of their lives by setting personal boundaries and using practical tools to manage fear and failure. He highlighted several approaches during his presentation: “Be silly. Be grateful. Say no. Journal. Exercise. Be confident. Tell your story.”
He also discussed challenges facing young people today, noting that many experience anxiety and loneliness. According to Womble, “3 out of 4 students deal with overwhelming anxiety and 79 percent of Gen Zers feel lonely.”
Throughout the session, Womble shared personal experiences about regret and growth, urging students to develop character and leadership skills. “The mind is so powerful; it can hold you back if you don’t have the tools to move past things,” he said.
His recommendations included setting boundaries by saying no, balancing negative thoughts, using silliness as a coping mechanism for anxiety, practicing self-love, and telling one’s own story.
To encourage participation, Womble began with an icebreaker activity involving high-fives among attendees. Some participants spoke about their fears and failures in front of the group while Womble offered reassurance by sharing his own vulnerabilities.
He described how stepping away from social media helped him set healthy boundaries in his professional life: “I was letting what others were saying live rent free in my head. Don’t be afraid to put up a boundary,” Womble said.
As part of his message on accountability, he asked students to write a manifesto outlining who they want to be: “I’m forcing you to become accountable who you say you are and live the life you want to live,” he said. “Tell your story to believe in yourself. No one else is going to tell your story.”
Womble concluded by challenging students to consider their impact on campus over the coming academic year: “What difference do you want to make with others?” he said.