Ever felt like you were falling behind — in school, in life, or just in general?

In this powerful episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Toma, motivational speaker, special education advocate, and author of I’m Just a Kid With an IEP, to talk about what it means to believe in yourself when no one else seems to.

Jordan went from a 1.7 GPA to delivering life-changing talks across the country. His message is clear: you’re not “not good enough” - you’re becoming.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– How to turn struggle into confidence

– What students with IEPs (and their parents) need to hear

– Why one person believing in you can change your life

– How to rewrite the labels you’ve been given

– What it actually takes to start believing in yourself

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ Why your biggest struggle is your strength

✓ The real way confidence is built

✓ How to show up when you feel invisible

✓ How to turn past pain into purpose

✓ The mindset shift that helps you finally say, “I’m worth it.”

🧠 Who is Jordan Toma?

Jordan is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, author, and advocate for students with learning differences. Known for his viral “Back of the Room” speech, his story has inspired thousands of students, parents, and educators to never give up on themselves or each other. He is featured on NBC today show, CBS news and more.

📚 Check out I’m Just a Kid With an IEP by Jordan Toma

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

01:40 Why Jordan writes for the “invisible” kids

03:47 Can you take us to the moment in the mirror where everything shifted for you?

07:20 What would you say now to your younger self, knowing what you do today?

14:01 What resonates most with students during your talks, and what do you want them to remember?

21:19 What habits and tools helped you build yourself brick by brick?

24:13 What is your new book about and why is it so important to you?

28:20 Final message to students feeling behind

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📺 YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Website: www.soniamarta.com

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