Tim Howard Leadership Academy: Empowering Teens with TS Through Leadership and Resilience
02/11/25 • 42 min
Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a life-changing leadership program designed specifically for teens with Tourette Syndrome? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Fowler, director of the Tim Howard Leadership Academy, to explore how this immersive four-day experience at Rutgers University helps young adults develop self-advocacy, resilience, and leadership skills. We dive into the evolution of the program, the powerful mentorship provided by coaches, and the deep sense of community that makes this academy so unique.
If you or someone you know is a teen with Tourette Syndrome looking for a supportive and empowering experience, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Melissa also shares insights on what to expect at this year’s academy, the application process, and why this free program is truly a game-changer.
Episode Highlights:
[00:38] What the Tim Howard Leadership Academy is all about and why it’s such a big part of the NJCTS community.
[02:52] The Academy’s Origin Story – How the program started in 2014 and how it’s evolved to better serve participants.
[08:52] Team Talk & Mentorship – The unique peer-led discussions that foster deep connections and support among participants.
[12:33] Why Coaches Love It Too – How the Academy benefits not just the teens, but the young adult mentors who return year after year.
[17:18] Living on Campus at Rutgers – What it’s like staying in dorms, eating in the dining hall, and getting a taste of college life.
[21:39] How to Apply – Breaking down the simple, stress-free application process for both participants and coaches.
[27:05] A Thoughtfully Designed Program – The mix of expert-led discussions, advocacy training, and real-world scenarios to help teens navigate life with Tourette’s.
[33:28] Recreation & Community Building – From quiet spaces to outdoor sports, the Academy ensures there’s something for everyone.
[40:31] A Global, Free Program – Teens from around the world can apply, and the Academy is free (excluding travel expenses).
Information about Tim Howard Leadership Academy:
📅 Application Deadline: February 15 (official), but applications are accepted through February 28, 2025.
📅 2025 Academy Dates: July 31 – August 3, 2025 at Rutgers University.
🔗 Learn More About the Academy: njcts.org/academy
📝 Apply Here: njcts.org/academy/application
📧 Contact Melissa Fowler (Academy Director) with Questions: [email protected]
Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a life-changing leadership program designed specifically for teens with Tourette Syndrome? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Fowler, director of the Tim Howard Leadership Academy, to explore how this immersive four-day experience at Rutgers University helps young adults develop self-advocacy, resilience, and leadership skills. We dive into the evolution of the program, the powerful mentorship provided by coaches, and the deep sense of community that makes this academy so unique.
If you or someone you know is a teen with Tourette Syndrome looking for a supportive and empowering experience, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Melissa also shares insights on what to expect at this year’s academy, the application process, and why this free program is truly a game-changer.
Episode Highlights:
[00:38] What the Tim Howard Leadership Academy is all about and why it’s such a big part of the NJCTS community.
[02:52] The Academy’s Origin Story – How the program started in 2014 and how it’s evolved to better serve participants.
[08:52] Team Talk & Mentorship – The unique peer-led discussions that foster deep connections and support among participants.
[12:33] Why Coaches Love It Too – How the Academy benefits not just the teens, but the young adult mentors who return year after year.
[17:18] Living on Campus at Rutgers – What it’s like staying in dorms, eating in the dining hall, and getting a taste of college life.
[21:39] How to Apply – Breaking down the simple, stress-free application process for both participants and coaches.
[27:05] A Thoughtfully Designed Program – The mix of expert-led discussions, advocacy training, and real-world scenarios to help teens navigate life with Tourette’s.
[33:28] Recreation & Community Building – From quiet spaces to outdoor sports, the Academy ensures there’s something for everyone.
[40:31] A Global, Free Program – Teens from around the world can apply, and the Academy is free (excluding travel expenses).
Information about Tim Howard Leadership Academy:
📅 Application Deadline: February 15 (official), but applications are accepted through February 28, 2025.
📅 2025 Academy Dates: July 31 – August 3, 2025 at Rutgers University.
🔗 Learn More About the Academy: njcts.org/academy
📝 Apply Here: njcts.org/academy/application
📧 Contact Melissa Fowler (Academy Director) with Questions: [email protected]
Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.
Previous Episode
Music, Self-Acceptance, and Personal Growth with Wilamena Dyer
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with Wilamena Dyer to explore her journey living with Tourette Syndrome and OCD. We dive into the challenges, triumphs, and surprising lessons that come with embracing neurodiversity, self-acceptance, and resilience. Wilamena shares candid stories about her experiences with tics, coping strategies, and how music has become a transformative force in her life. We also discuss different therapies, creative outlets, and why finding what works for you is key to thriving with Tourette's. Join us as we talk about the power of advocacy, leaning into your unique strengths, and using creativity as a path to personal growth.
Wilamena Dyer is an alum of the NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy. She is currently a first year university student studying percussion in London.
Episode Highlights:
[0:53] - Kicking things off: Introducing Wilamena and her journey with Tourette Syndrome.
[3:04] - Wilamena's treatment toolbox: Medication, ERP, and the value of practical therapies.
[7:16] - A closer look at Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and its challenges.
[11:06] - How Wilamena’s tics evolved over the years and the resilience it built.
[15:33] - Michael’s story of managing a painful tic with distraction and multitasking.
[18:21] - Understanding "cousins" of Tourette's: Wilamena’s experience with OCD.
[22:10] - The uphill climb of ERP therapy and how it changed Wilamena’s life.
[24:05] - Wilamena’s future plans: Studying music therapy and spreading awareness.
[27:52] - Advice for the newly diagnosed: Embrace your tics and live fully.
Links & Resources:
- Wilamena's website: https://www.tictastic.com/
- Wilamena's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClILmxZbGU8nX8oxrCLGcOg
Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.
Next Episode
Breaking Barriers: A Rhodes Scholar’s Journey with Tourette Syndrome
What does it take to overcome barriers and achieve your dreams? In this episode of The Uptick, I sit down with Jenna Smith, a senior at Duke University and a newly awarded Rhodes Scholar, to talk about her journey navigating Tourette Syndrome while excelling academically and pursuing a career in law and criminal justice. From her early struggles with tics in the classroom to standing on some of the world’s biggest academic stages, Jenna shares how she built confidence, found community, and learned to embrace her unique path.
Jenna Smith is a senior at Duke University originally from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She will be graduating this May with a major in International Comparative Studies and a minor in journalism and media. Jenna was among the 32 recipients selected for the Rhodes Scholarship, where she will be going to the University of Oxford in the UK for 2 years of study
Episode Highlights:
[2:38] The moment Jenna found out she was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship.
[4:59] How a documentary project in Mississippi shaped her passion for criminal justice.
[7:06] Her dream of using restorative justice to create meaningful change.
[9:23] Struggling with math, tic attacks during exams, and the pressure of academic performance.
[13:47] The challenge of navigating Tourette’s in middle school and how self-awareness helped.
[17:44] Learning to self-advocate—why early diagnosis and accommodations made a difference.
[23:04] How humor and openness helped Jenna shape how others respond to her tics.
[28:01] Growing up with a sibling who also has Tourette’s—lessons in support and resilience.
[32:30] Taking on challenges: How Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became a confidence-building hobby.
[37:05] Building confidence from within—why competence, community, and self-trust matter.
Links & Resources:
- Duke UniversityPress Release about Jenna Smith: https://today.duke.edu/2024/11/duke-senior-jenna-smith-wins-rhodes-scholarship
- The Rhodes Scholarship: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/
- Restorative Justice Durham: www.restorativejusticedurham.org
- Duke Justice Project: www.duke.edu
Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.
The UpTic - Tim Howard Leadership Academy: Empowering Teens with TS Through Leadership and Resilience
Transcript
Yes. And then we've also had a range of experiences in terms of, you know, tics and the significance or severity of tics. So we've had some people who have attended who had very minimal tics, really at all through the duration of the academy. We've had others who have very significant, severe vocal tics and motor ticks, and really, again, one of the things I really love about it is that it's a safe space to be on either side of that spectrum
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