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Eden Gold

Youth Motivational Speaker and Teen Life Coach

Eden Gold is a youth motivational and keynote speaker and the founder of Life After High School based in Oregon. Life After High School serves young adults, middle school to college aged, with a mission of bridging the gap between traditional education and real-world skills to support them in becoming successful adults. Eden’s curriculum is incredibly comprehensive, including principles for success mapping, financial foundations, career development, and more. As a speaker, Eden specializes in blending strategy, practicality, psychology, and mental health; and her approach is grounded in providing actionable steps and real-world insights. In 2025, she launched her speaking tour, “The Unshakable You”, setting out to help 1 million students build unshakable self confidence. She is also the host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. In addition, Eden offers corporate training through hosting customized workshops focusing on communication, work etiquette, professionalism, and social skills for gen Z employees.

Professional Achievements

  • Recognized as one of LA Weekly’s Top 10 Speakers to Watch in 2021
  • Featured across several major media platforms, including Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, Medium, Kiddipedia, iHeartRadio, and The BLOX — Amazon Prime’s entrepreneurial start-up competition TV show
  • Partnered with a wide range of educational institutions and organizations such as CADA (3x), LASC, CTSO, NCCE, Gear Up Arizona, and the Florence Teen Symposium
  • Collaborated with national brands like Level All, Panda Express, Glassdoor, and others to amplify student engagement and career readiness initiatives
  • Partners with organizations and companies to deliver corporate Gen Z trainings, offering customizable workshops on professionalism, emotional intelligence, workplace communication, and early career success for rising young professionals

Certifications & Organizations

  • Health Coaching Certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Favorite Piece of Advice

In the words of Archilochus, "We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” Whether it’s your health, your finances, or your future—you need systems in place that support the person you're becoming, not just the goals you're chasing. Consistency beats intensity every time.

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Forum Comments (5)

What's the best paying job I can get as a teen?
Here are a few suggestions:

1. Internships – If you’re okay to start with an unpaid roles, you should absolutely intern in fields related to your dream job. Come up with a list of companies and pitch yourself. Say, “I’ll be the hardest working intern you’ve ever had. I just want experience.” People love helping ambitious young people. You're the next generation of change-makers. A lot of professionals I interview on my podcast are frustrated by the lack of professionalism in Gen Z, so you can really stand out by just being serious. I just talked to a lawyer who said many teens only want to work Fridays, from 11 to 3, and only remote. That’s not how you stand out. The extra mile is never crowded. An unpaid internship can lead to a very high paying full-time offer.

2. Jobs that involve data or metrics, like social media management, project management, or anything that involves tracking stats or performance. These roles also build transferable skills.

3. Side hustles – be a self-starter. Start something that no one can take from you. In this crazy economy, proving you can build something—even small—builds confidence and demonstrates initiative. You can make a lot of money selling baked goods, handmade crafts, or services.
Help, I want to fit in!
Here’s the truth: You don’t fit in, because you’re not like everyone else—and that’s a gift. Most people are going through life on autopilot, following a system they never questioned. If you feel different, it means you’re more self-aware, and that's powerful.

Don’t assume everyone in the “popular” group feels like they belong. Some go home to tough situations—grief, trauma, responsibility. You can’t see that from the outside.
And those people? A lot of them are loud because they’re insecure. True confidence is quiet.

When you're younger, you think fitting in matters. But what really matters is finding people who align with your values. That might not be a big group. It might just be one or two real connections. And that’s enough.
How Talk to Teens My Age
First, total transparency: you don’t have to pretend to be confident. Be honest instead.
Try this: if you’re sitting next to someone at a school event, start with a simple question— “Hey, can you help me with this?” or “Have you done this before?” Then you can say, “Thanks, I’m actually kind of shy—it’s hard for me to talk to new people, but I appreciate it.”

That honesty? It’s disarming. People won’t reject you for being real. They’ll relate.
You can also prepare ahead—write down conversation starters, bring a “body double” friend to events, or reach out to people beforehand (e.g., via social media if it's a group gathering).

Also, ask yourself: “What am I afraid people will say?” “Is that realistic?” Usually, it’s not.
This kind of preparation and self-reflection helps you take those first steps with more confidence.
How do you maintain a long distance relationship in high school?
My advice: your partner shouldn’t be your entire source of happiness. They should add to it—not be your only source. If anyone tells you, “You’re my everything”—that’s a red flag. That’s toxic.

We have friends, family, and community for a reason. Use all of your resources. Ask yourself: Is this a me problem or a relationship problem? You'll learn a lot. Make sure to keep yourself busy. If you're struggling with the distance, it's often because you're not happy with your own life.

Let me give you an example. When I love what I’m doing every day, I’m not too bothered by the distance. But on a bad day—maybe someone left a mean comment online, or work is slow—I find myself thinking, “Why didn’t my partner text me? Why aren’t they checking in?” But the truth is, they’re not texting me any less than usual. I’m just feeling unfulfilled. So instead of projecting onto them, ask yourself: What can I do to fill my own cup?
how can I be less lonely? (recently started at a new school)
Start by being intentional with your time. In your first few weeks, prioritize making connections—with peers, teachers, counselors.

Join one or two clubs. It’ll feel uncomfortable. You’ll be shy. Do it anyway. Why? Because the belief that you can make friends has to override the fear. Most fears—aside from falling and loud noises—are learned. That fear of judgment? That’s your inner bully, not the real you.

The real you is resilient. You’ve overcome every hard day you’ve ever had. When you put yourself out there and survive the discomfort, you build confidence. You realize: “I did something hard. I can do it again.” Confidence = self-trust. If you consistently keep promises to yourself, your confidence will grow. If you constantly let yourself down, that trust erodes.

So take small actions. Join clubs. Call a therapist. Reach out to an old friend. Your first step might not be going from A to Z—it might just be getting from A to B.

Co-authored Articles (5)