Begin With The End in Mind

By Justin Robinson, Aspiro Clinical Director

Recently I attended my grandfather’s funeral and while I was very saddened by his passing, my prevailing emotion surrounding his death was a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for his influence on me; Gratitude for the family traditions he helped established; Gratitude for his example; Gratitude for the legacy he left.

When the sadness crept in it was due to my realization that I could have done more to get to know him.

Listening to the speakers at his funeral, I was inspired and felt committed to better following his example.

My grandpa was a very respected orthodontist. People came from all over the world to consult, observe and learn the techniques he was pioneering which he freely shared at no cost with all who would come yet he avoided the spotlight and recognition for his accomplishments. My grandpa’s commitment was not to personal gain but rather on providing the best possible service to his patients. Through this commitment he was driven to find new and better ways to help his patients achieve what they wanted. His philosophy that guided his work and helped to shape his techniques was to begin with the end in mind.

Grandpa had a way of looking at people. He had a way of looking at the faces of his patients seeing beyond their immediate appearance regardless of how mangled the mouth or how crooked the teeth, and viewing the potential that lay within. By seeing the potential and not just the present problems or flaws, I believe it opened my grandpa’s eyes to the solutions. Grandpa was able to hold this vision in his mind’s eye as a guide in the work he was doing for them, even inspiring him to develop new techniques that were revolutionary in the field.

After the funeral as I pondered this philosophy I made the connection that grandpa’s legacy expands far beyond the field of orthodontia. As I reflected I realized that it is when I am living true to grandpa’s way of seeing people that I am most effective in my life. In my work as a therapist, when I successfully see beyond the current problems and hold a vision of the future, it helps guide my interactions with the individual. I believe the positive energy associated with that vision is at times felt by the individuals I am helping and helps them to believe and buy in to the interventions I am prescribing. I do believe that seeing others this way helps me to assist them in finding the solutions and paths that will help them overcome their problems and challenges to reach their potential.

All too often I encounter people discouraged, worn out, and frustrated by the trials they are facing.

The problems they are facing seem so large that at times it feels impossible to for them see anything but the problem. But if all we are seeing is the mangled mouth and the crooked teeth I believe we miss out on the insights that only come when we are looking at life from a very different perspective. I would like to challenge anyone desiring to invite change to apply my grandpa’s philosophy of beginning with the end in mind.

Reconnect with the good in that person, find the vision of future potential and hold onto it no matter how different the present reality may be. Trust that when you are seeing a person this way, they will feel a difference and likely respond differently to you. Trust that by holding this vision of the person in your heart and mind this future perspective will help you see more clearly how to interact in a way that will invite and create the changes you are hoping for.

Momentumby by Aspiro, Summer Program

(Mt. Pleasant, UT) Momentum by Aspiro is a multi-element course that travels from the red rock canyons of Southern Utah to grand peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

This is a one-time, 28 day adventure for boys and girls ages 13-17, and begins on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (In Salt Lake City).

Momentum by Aspiro is ideal for participants who have completed any outdoor program and are progressing well. Students must be willing to participate and will submit a short essay outlining why they want to participate in this extraordinary adventure. Momentum is for students who would benefit from a non-clinical program, high on adventure, leadership skills and strategies for further personal growth.

The Course includes canyoneering, technical canyoneering, rock climbing, kayaking or rafting, mountaineering, mountain biking and more.

"Students had a phenomenal experience last year, said Josh Watson, Admissions Director, we are excited to once again provide a powerful growth experience for appropriate participants.

For further information and a link to our application, please visit www.momentumadventure.org, or call Josh Watson at 888-266-5136

The Aspiro Group of programs are short-term Wilderness Adventure Therapy (WAT) programs for adolescents ages 13-17 and young adults (Aspiro, Kairos and Vantage Point). Programs meet the needs of a broad range of concerns and challenges. Please see our website www.aspiroprograms.com for further information.

Jessi Irvin Joins Aspiro Group

For Immediate Release
March 24, 2009


(Mount Pleasant, UT) Aspiro is pleased to announce the hiring of Jessi Irvin as a therapist in our unique Wilderness Adventure Therapy (WAT) model.

Our management team is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a respected, outstanding therapist, said Brian Church, Vice President, Business Development.

"Jessi will play a major role in our continued growth as a program, and is a wonderful addition to our clinical team."

"I felt very connected to and welcomed by everyone I met there," said Irvin. "I love the adventure component as a means for challenging kids to look at their patterns, while giving them an opportunity to increase their confidence and push themselves outside of their comfort zone. I'm excited to interact w/ students and share in their adventures. I like the structure, coupled with the flexibility in my role as a therapist to coordinate a student's program based on their needs and those of their family. I'm also excited about the strong parent involvement, which I've so come to appreciate in my work at Three Rivers Montana. It's important to have the support of parents while their kids are away and also necessary, I believe, to have them involved in doing their own work and work as a family if there is to be true, lasting change."

"I worked at Three Rivers for nearly three years and have loved working with kids and families in the wilderness," said Irvin. "I feel very comfortable in that role, along with the expectations related to working with consultants and attending conferences. I enjoy the opportunity to network and meet people face-to-face, since so much work is done over the phone. There's an intimacy that comes with this work we do in this industry that really fits for me. I've also maintained a very small private practice while at Three Rivers and have enjoyed working with adolescents and young adults in transition. Prior to working at Three Rivers, I was a therapist at a few local, community-based counseling clinics. While there, I worked with a broad spectrum of clients, including families, adults, couples, young children and adolescents facing a wide variety of challenges."

Jessi will be moving to Utah, from Montana, over the next month, and will begin taking on a case load the first week of May. Please join us in welcoming Jessi to Aspiro.

Business Office: (801) 349-2740 | Toll Free - 888-266-5136

Has your troubled teen recently changed to a negative peer group?

Are they struggling with issues of depression, alcohol and drug abuse, or low self-esteem?

Aspiro can help.

Aspiro's solution-oriented, wilderness adventure therapy program works. We blend the best of adventure with effective and proven therapeutic processes.

Your troubled teen experiences the highest standards of safety and therapy in one of the most beautiful and powerful settings for real change.

Aspiro engages students in character development as well as working to resolve family and personal issues and preparing each student for the next best step.

Does your troubled teen need Aspiro? Read our student profile and then give us a call at 888-266-5136.

Aspiro serves young men and women ages 13 to 17 and young adults' ages 18 to 30 years old.

Please call to see if Aspiro is an appropriate program for your troubled teen or young adult.

Aspiro 1-888- 266-5136 or (801) 349-2740

Randy Oakley, CEO of Aspiro, will be a guest on "Answers for the Family" with Allen Cardoza

Randy Oakley, CEO of Aspiro, will be a guest on "Answers for the Family" with Allen Cardoza

Coming up March 16th.

Aspiro is a solution-oriented, wilderness adventure therapy program for at-risk teens. Ever since Randy started working in the industry of "at-risk" teens, he has dreamed of founding a state-of-the-art program to help teenagers in need. Aspiro engages students in character development as well as working to resolve family and personal issues and preparing each student for the next best step.

Aspiro serves young men and women ages 13 to 17 and young adults' ages 18 to 30 years old.
LATalkRadio.com. "Answers for the Family" was born of a desire to help guide parents to professional resources as they face critical moments with their children. Aspiro 1-888- 266-5136 or (801) 349-2740