The Story Behind Coach by the Pull™
The String That Changed Everything
It was early one morning—quiet, still, the kind of morning where deep thoughts rise to the surface. I had been reflecting on a simple but powerful question I kept hearing from parents, educators, nonprofit leaders, and thinking: “How do we truly inspire and teach young adults—not just to succeed, but to give, grow, and lead themselves and others with purpose?”
As I sat in my favorite chair, the remembrance of the “string story” popped into my head. I found a piece of string and picked it up.
Try pushing a string. It crumples, tangles, and goes nowhere.
Now try pulling it. It follows—with flow, direction, and ease.
That moment hit me like a brick: people are just like that string! When we try to push others—through pressure, force, or expectation—they resist.
But when we pull—with purpose, with care, and with curiosity—they move forward, not because they’re told to, but because they’re inspired to.
This simple insight became the spark behind Coach by the Pull™, the signature coaching philosophy of Aspire to Give® Academy.
Not Pressure—But Purpose.
Rooted in the wisdom of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who once said, “Pull the string and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all,” this philosophy reflects how we guide young adults at life’s most defining moments—when they're facing uncertainty, transition, and the question, "What's next?"
Instead of pushing young adults toward outcomes, we gently pull them forward through Generous Inquiry - by asking the right questions, not giving the right answers.
- What lights you up?
- What difference do you want to make?
- What strengths have been hiding in plain sight?
These are the questions that awaken purpose, unlock potential, and set the direction.
Coaching with Heart, Leading with Hope
At Aspire to Give® Academy, we believe every learner has gifts within them waiting to be drawn out. That’s why our Success Coaches walk alongside each learner with compassion, empathy, and intention.
With five key touchpoints in each course, learners are not just supported—they are seen, heard, and encouraged. Young adults are guided—not pushed—to connect the lessons to the real choices, challenges, and changes they’re facing.
Whether aspiring young adults striving to rise above circumstances, young veterans transitioning to civilian life, or pathfinders seeking guidance and direction,, Coach by the Pull™ helps them discover who they are, why they matter, and where they’re headed.
The Philosophy That Pulls Us All Forward
“Coach by the Pull™” is more than a method. It’s a mindset. It’s coaching rooted in what we call the Aspiration to Give - the deeply human drive to grow, to evolve, and to serve something greater than oneself.
- When learners are guided with care…
- When they’re invited into reflection, not rushed into answers…
- When they’re pulled toward purpose, not pushed toward pressure…
That’s when transformation takes root.
This is why Coach by the Pull™ is embedded in our two-course Life Transition by Design™ program - because we know that lives don’t change through instruction.
They change through inspiration.
So, we don’t push.
We pull - with vision, with heart, and with hope.
Our Mission
Aspire to Give® Academy empowers young adults (18–28) with essential life skills, a success mindset, and the caring support of mission aligned partners.
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Cohort Learning
(Group of 5-10 Learners)
Cohort (Group) learning is the favored approach for adults, often provided by employers, foundations, and government organizations for workforce development, team-building, and professional growth. It combines three effective learning methods:
1. Discovering yourself
2. Learning with peers
3. Guidance from a success coach
This structure helps individuals gain personal insights, collaborate with others, and receive coaching in a supportive environment that fosters growth, encourages teamwork, and develops essential life skills for success.
Community Learning Groups
Peer learners, united by a common life transition, learn and support each other through shared experiences, empathetic engagement, and collective problem-solving. Community groups include veterans, young adults, recovering singles, and other common interest groups.
Lesson Exercises
Every course lesson includes a learning activity tailored to spark questions, foster reflection, and stimulate personal growth.
Success Coaches
Each cohort (group) of 8-15 learners is guided by an experienced, highly qualified Success Coach who serves as a mentor and resource. The Success Coach meets virtually with the group multiple times to enhance learning, guide learners, and answer learner questions.
Veterans Transition Empowerment Program
(V-TEP)
The V-TEP program of two bundled courses empowers veterans to chart their own unique path as they transition to civilian life. Join a supportive cohort led by an experienced coach, where veterans learn, share, and navigate the road to successful transition.
Four Pillars of Learning
The Academy’s innovative, inquiry-based curriculum centers on four key learning pillars:
1. Personal - tailored to the learner.
2. Positive - uplifting & supportive..
3. Probing - questions spark learning.
4. Practical - applicable to real-life.
Five Beliefs
1. Appreciate individuality
2. Give sincerely
3. Practice intentional generosity
4. Live with purpose
5. Choose wisely at life's junctures
Smart Goal Setting
Establishing specific, realistic, measurable goals in personal, family, career, and financial areas is crucial for navigating life transitions effectively. It creates clear guidelines for success during periods of change to craft your best life.
Coming Soon!
Digital Downloads
Each of the four courses of the series includes digital downloads of articles, research, references, and checklists that supplement the course video, workbook exercises, and cohort peer learning.
Crossword Puzzles
In addition to lesson exercises, each course includes 4 crossword puzzles as a fun way to learn the terminology. Being fluent in conversation with peers, coaches, mentors, and professional advisors is essential for successfully navigating life transitions.
Coming Soon!
Blog
Previous and new blog posts will enhance course and workbook content, equipping learners with extra references and resources on cutting-edge topics like the philanthropic frontier, effective financial generosity tools and strategies, and mastering life transitions throughout the lifespan.
Bundle #3
Legacy by Design
The Legacy by Design Program helps you give intentionally and generously to loved ones and special causes. Learn over a dozen financial giving strategies and how to avoid unintended consequences of financial generosity, evaluate nonprofit beneficiaries, and compose a legacy of love through letters capturing your aspirations, life-lessons, and values. Organize your personal affairs with this bundle, ideal for those with financial resources to share and in the sunset years of life. Legacy by Design is bundled courses #3 & #4.
Pivot to Purpose
Transition Program
Embark on a transformative journey with the two-course Pivot to Purpose Transition Program. Guided by a seasoned coach, adults navigating life transitions develop self-awareness, leadership, and renewed purpose and gain vital life skills to master life transitions.
7 Thinking Tools
In the Pathway to Purpose course, learners will enhance their decision-making skills with seven easy-to-use critical thinking tools. These tools will empower individuals to make more well-informed choices, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, comfort, and clarity.
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Success Coaching
Our Success Coaches nurture and mentor a cohort of 8-15 learners, providing vital guidance, support, and resources. Through periodic virtual meetings and email support, they cultivate essential life skills, ensuring every learner feels empowered and connected.
Meet Our Coaches
Highly trained and experienced coaches will lead the various life transition cohort groups, including military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Coaching profiles will be available on the Academy's website.
Seek, Ask, Give, & Do
We embrace an educational philosophy anchored in Reciprocal Benevolence, where learning flourishes as a natural outcome of mutual kindness and support:
- Seek with an open heart, and you shall discover knowledge.
- Ask with caring curiosity, and wisdom will be imparted to you.
- Give generously, and in return, gain deeper insights.
- Do share the kindness, empathy, and respect you desire.
We nurture wisdom through caring questions, deliberate generosity, and thoughtful kindness.
Study Groups
Cohorts of 8-15 members from the same group are usually in the same class, promoting sharing and support among learners.
Pivot Points, Lesson 1
Learn the Lingo Answers
Crossroads of Life
During life, we encounter pivotal moments of choices, challenges, and changes that shape an unknown future. Examples include:
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Military veterans in transition -
Young adults (ages 18-28)
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Life rebuilders (bad choices or situation)
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Those recovering from a setback
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Recovering singles (lost relationship) -
Career changers & empty nesters
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Retirees scouting for opportunities
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Those at the sunset of life
Mutual Benevolence
Aligned with a shared purpose and guided by the principles of Reciprocal Benevolence, partnering organzations benefit individually and collectively. This collaborative harmonious philosophy encourages mutual support, understanding, innovation, and growth for the greater good.
Strengths-based Resourcing
Srengths-based resourcing unites each organization's distinct strengths for the common purpose of maximizing the impact of life-skill education. Resourcing may include access to:
- Audiences with Life-skills
Educational Need - Expertise & Knowledge
- Financial Funding
- Additional Resources
- Policy Influence & Advocacy
- Best Practices
Self-leadership &
Essential Life Skills
In today's complex world, many young adults lack the self-=leadership and essential life skills needed to succeed. While formal education provides an academic and vocational foundation, there is often a void of vital life skills such as:
- Self-leadership
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Financial Literacy
- Emotional Intelligence
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Social Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Adapting to change