Rapper and motivational speaker Austin “A Train” Lanier hyped us the crowd at Indian Lake Schools just before Thanksgiving Break.
Lanier told students from ILHS and ILMS about his struggles with addiction and mental problems growing up. He dreamed of being a professional soccer player and even invited several students on stage to show their skills and dribble the ball with him. However, an absent father and bad influences from older role models led him down the path of drug and alcohol abuse. After three of his friends took their own lives, Austin found himself in the depths of despair and he asked for help.
"I realized that it is not my goal in life to be like everyone else. It is not your goal in life to try to fit in." He continued. "I had to flip a switch from trying to fit in to embracing being different and embracing myself. Once I started to do that my life opened up."
Lanier is now a rapper, owning his own music business, clothing line and non-profit business for motivational speaking.
He gave students this advice:
1. Write down your dreams/goal with as much detail as possible.
2. Separate yourself from the wrong people who are not helping you reach your dreams.
3. Surround yourself with the right people. Find mentors to help you.
Lanier closed his show by inviting the students up by the stage and rapping a few songs. Students got to sing along and even crowd surf.
Lanier's visit was sponsored by the ILHS Students Against Destructive Decisions Chapter.