Motivational social media influencer Jordan Toma delivered a powerful message to sophomores and juniors today, March 23, urging them to believe in themselves and push past adversity and struggles.
Drawing from his experiences with dyslexia, anxiety and ADHD, he showed how his challenges became the very strengths that shaped his path to success.
Mr. Toma said he grew up with a tremendous self-doubt and was teased about being “the dumbest kid in class.” But he stressed that his mother was his biggest believer, was the one who annoyed him without fail every day and, most importantly, never gave up on him.
It took a long time before he realized and accepted that his mother was the most positive influencer in his life. He challenged students to look at those who they feel are annoying --- parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, among others --- and accept that they are the ones who will believe in them no matter what happens. Those “annoyers,” he stressed, “will help you and you will eventually find your way.”
“My mom believed in me so much,” Mr. Toma added.. “And she was so, so annoying. But she saw my gifts. I promise you, there’s someone in your life who sees your gifts, too. They’re annoying to you day after day because they don’t give up on you, no matter what you throw at them. They see your struggles. I want you to know that your struggles will always become your strength.”
Mr. Toma shared a video of a “Today Show”segment featuring him and his mother and how her love and support helped him overcome his personal obstacles. He later talked about how anxiety and panic got the best of him, so much so that he wouldn’t go to class at public school and received failing grades. He spoke about how, when he finally went to a private school to get a fresh start, a teacher failed him because he didn’t believe he wrote a paper that Mr. Toma spent weeks preparing. He shared that failed out of private school and had to transfer back to the public school system.
Mr. Toma told students all he really wanted was to be a “regular student,” but feared his anxiety would never allow that to happen.
Mr. Toma also told students he had an individualized lesson plan (IEP) at school. He tried not to define himself by the grades he got, but the work he did. Still, he had only 1.7 GPA with 15 college rejections before being accepted into Centenary University’s STEP Ahead eight-week summer transition program, which involved tutors and required mental health counseling. Bolstered by his mother’s ongoing annoyance and caring, he took a leap of faith and decided to give the program a try.
“Celebrate the ones who push you to your fullest potential,” Mr. Toma told students. “We all struggle, but that is our strength. You are not the only one. Your scariest moments can also become your best moments. Don’t allow the hard things in life to stop you. The hardest thing to do is what scares you the most. But, on the other side of being scared... is what you want.”
As a sign that struggles were becoming strength, Mr. Toma received his first “A” on an assignment. He graduated the program with a 4.0 GPA and was awarded as the hardest worker, and then he eventually graduated college with a 3.3 GPA and a psychology degree with plans to counsel school students.
That didn’t happen. His first job was selling windows. Then, he became a financial advisor, after struggling with accreditation exams, but eventually earning awards for his work.
Then, Mr. Toma thought, maybe his struggles could help others.
A video he posted to Tik Tok suddenly had 45 million views, with similar numbers on Instagram and Facebook. Those platforms are now called “I’m Just a Kid with IEP.” His posts resonate because he creates short, relatable content.
Mr. Toma spent two years writing his self-published book after untold numbers of publisher rejections. He now travels to schools and encourages students to overcome adversity. He has a combined 2.76 million followers on Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook and his book has sold over 100,000 copies.
“Think about the people who are fighting for you every day,” said Mr. Toma. “Only a few people in your life are willing to take the risk on you. Think about this: What if they’re right about you? All of you have gifts and the world needs your gifts. All of you are only one moment away from changing your life based on your struggles and who believes in you. I want you to have your moment. Bet on your yourself, because you will never lose.”