The buzz about Chris
Nothing is quite as powerful as hearing what others have to say about their first hand experiences with Chris. Where possible, the quotes are attributed. Others were provided anonymously. For your convenience, you can on the section header to go directly to those quotes.
Coaching
"Life coaching with Chris is a powerful, positive experience that I would highly recommend. His coaching includes appropriate doses of insightful analogies, meaningful assignments, genuine encouragement, thought-provoking questions, and practical action steps to reach your goal. Don’t let his gentle style fool you; he won’t let you get away with the same old excuses. What I have attained from working with Chris has definitely exceeded my expectations."
~ Cheryl Rau, Cheryl Rau Photography
Old Orchard Beach, ME
“Like with many of the vulnerable kids I've helped, I seemed caught in a maze of “labels” I had not outgrown. Little did I know, some of these “labels” proved to be my greatest strengths. Through Chris’ coaching I have been able to acknowledge my strengths and put them to work more effectively. Funny thing, I am NOW a lot happier! I highly recommend Chris Trout’s coaching.”
~ Gwynn Rogers
Silverdale, WA
"[Chris] is real - not sugar coated. This is not about methodology or a set of techniques. It is the way he lives. His abilities come from a life lived a certain way."
"He is so unique. If only we all had a Chris Trout to help us on our path. It's like having an angel on your shoulder whispering in your ear."
"Chris never gets out a specific tool to "fix the broken thing." He is positive and makes you want to do the work."
"It is like an infusion of hope. I'm no longer worried about how I'm going to get somewhere, I'm just doing what I need to do today. If I am strong today, it will unfold."
"Chris carries a rich toolbox that he chooses freely from and that really works for me. He is eclectic and uses his many resources - research, examples, stories, metaphor - to help me understand."
"Chris is empathetic and compssionate, but he doesn't let you get away with things. He is gentle but firm about accountability."
"Chris can take something that is whole and human and ground it all in research, spiritual insight and stories, and make none of it feel too… you know, woo, woo."
"Working with Chris is light AND deep - it is often humorous and fun. I enjoy it."
"Chris hones in on your strengths. It's not just superficial reframing."
"He lives it. He's supportive from where you are and hands it right back to you."
"There's no manipulation. You don't feel coaxed toward his goals. he helps you trust the process and trust that you are right where you need to be."
"He somehow holds you acountable while giving you this sense that it is up to you and you CAN do it."
back to top
Speaking - General
"Rarely have I attended a program that has so strongly impacted me, both personally and professionally."
~ Lucy Pulitzer, Albany, NY
"This was one of the best presented, clear, and insightful trainings I have been to. It is also the most useful for my practice. I highly recommend it to anyone!"
~ Christine McNulty Grant, Portland, ME
"Chris was very inspiring. He was authentic, passionate, and powerful. "
~ Suzanne Kaufman, Albany, NY
"Chris is an engaging presenter whose enthusiasm, vast experience and wealth of meaningful stories combine beautifully together to create an enhanced learning experience. Thank you!"
~ Tracey Stark, Ontario, CA
"It isn't every day I attend a conference where I come away feeling empowered with information I can ... put into practice in my everyday life, both at work and at home. I loved it!"
~ Carol Hendricken, Alberta, Canada
back to top
Speaking - Youth Development
"Two days with Chris Trout gave me a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to support, not fix, kids. The information blended well with personal transformation work and provided a language for implementation."
~ Jo Petrusa, Counselor
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Middle School, Smith Middle School
Chapel Hill, NC
"Chris' experience and energy leaves you in awe of the power of words...You really can transform lives just by changing the way you look at people. Chris is a valuable resource!"
~ Cyndi Desrosiers, Project Director
Greater Waterville Communities for Children and Youth Prevention Coalition
Waterville, ME
"It is so refreshing to participate in a training that encourages us, through evidence-based practice, to embrace the positive and wonderful qualities so often overlooked in our young people."
~ Blair T. Jackson, School Social Worker
East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC
"Chris' insight into looking for good and acknowledging strengths in individuals is inspiring. He suggests deep and compelling strategies for working with the most challenging individuals."
~ Terrel Hoffman, Mentor
Port Orchard, WA
"Chris has a message for the ages. If every teacher was able to use these skills in their classrooms, we would have more youth who know who they are as people."
~ Keandra Thompson, Parent/Community/School Liaison
Bremerton, WA
"As a veteran elementary school teacher, I found Chris' workshop very stimulating and thought provoking. It is easy to fall into the trap of focusing on student's deficits instead of advancing a student's strengths.'"
~ Rick Goudzwaerd, Elementary School Counselor
Breida Glick Elementary
Poulsho, WA
"Chris takes the concept of strengths-based intervention to the place where it was intended...empowering kids with accountability and integrity."
~ Leah R. Kyaio, Diversity and Mentoring Specialist
Central Kitsap School District, Silverdale, WA
"Chris was real and passionate about working in this field. It was great to be energized by someone who truly gets what we as service providers do in our work."
~ Karla Reyes, Addictions Counselor
Alberta Alchol and Drug Abuse Commission
Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada
"As a veteran teacher of 24 years in the classroom, I came away from Chris Trout's workshop feeling I had new strategies to help me build relationships with my students. You can teach an old teacher at new tricks!"
~ Susan Keeler, 5th Grade Teacher
Dunsmuir Elementary, Dunsmuir, CA
"Your message was so positive and uplifting that I think many more parents and professionals need to hear how they can change their way of thinking and ENJOY the challenges that Young People present."
~ Angie Arndt, parent, educator and community activist
Yarmouth, ME
"Chris presented a perfect mix of focus inward and focus outward. I wish all of us in human services had the motivation and the tools to practice what we've learned here - we'd have much more efficient and effective systems, and youth and families with more hope love and success."
~ Misty Stenslie, Deputy Director
Foster Care Alumni of America
Washington, DC
"Let me just say that my staff has never been so amazed and involved in a training before. They still are asking when you can come back."
~ Linda McKinney, Director
Girl's Transitional Program, Youth Alternatives
Portland, ME
back to top
Groups
"Claim your Life has been a gift of reflection and an act of blind faith and trust. I have received the support, direction and encouragement that have led me back to the path of my authentic self."
~ Marguerite Ridgway
"I started Claim Your Life last year and I can honestly say that I have never been happier or more excited about my future. I can't remember the last time I had anxiety about where I should be going or what I wanted to do with my life. These worries have been put to rest in the most magnificent of ways."
~ Eric Koll
"This course felt like an opportunity of a lifetime for me. What a huge gift!"
~ Sherry Jaye
"Chris' emails and calls helped me clarify what I really wanted and how to put that into action. I changed jobs and have already accomplished more in the last few months than I had in the previous year!"
~ Jenny Spang
"When life takes its unexpected turns, I used to ask, 'What am I going to do now?' Now, every day I catch glimpsesof what gives me energy and joy, and when the unexpected happens, I say, 'How can I do more of what that?'"
~ Dawn Treadwell
"Being a part of this experience stretched me. Chris made me, in spite of my own reluctance and embarrassment, look at the good parts of myself, the successes and the strengths. It's harder than it sounds! Thank you Chris."
~ Curry Ander
Writing
“What a gift! From the first words ("bring it on!") to the last ("and we thrive"), Chris speaks with an authenticity and insight that can only come from having walked the talk. I wish every adult who parents, cares for and supports young people - and everyone who has known adversity - could experience the inspiration, the insights, and the sense of hope that fills this book. Inspired!”
~ Misty Stenslie
Deputy Director
Foster Care Alumni of America
“I'm listening to Reflecting Strengths in my office right now. It's clear to me that EVERY juvenile probation officer in the world needs to hear this CD. I plan to incorporate it into my new employee orientation.”
~ Steve Nesky
Treatment Coordinator
Coconino County Juvenile Court,
Flagstaff, Arizona