My name is Stevi Rupe, and I am CEO and Life Empowerment Coach at SteviEmpowerment. My educational portfolio includes a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor or Science degree in English and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, and an Associate degree in Graphic Design. As a mother of two adult sons who have been conflicted with the demons of addiction through their teenage and young adult lives, I continue to dedicate my time and energies to empower young adults to defeat self-sabotaging behaviors which fuel the addiction process. Self-destructive behaviors, past trauma, and negative thinking patterns that deplete self-esteem, make it difficult to fulfill a purpose-filled life and create a sense of true identity. As Victor Frankl, a holocaust survivor and psychiatrist once said, "The motivational force of an individual is to find meaning in life." Just as important to creating real purpose in life, is the power of human connection. Using a pragmatic approach to building a solid system through the relationships we establish in our lives, young adults can identify challenges, accept past mistakes, and move past fear and pain. With hope and gratitude and believing that change is possible, we begin to see ourselves and the world in a new light.