"It's Your Life ... Own It!" Provides Insightful, Powerful Guidance for Teens Struggling to Find Meaning and Purpose

FARMINGTON, Utah, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Being a teenager has never been easy. Every day, temptations and pitfalls threaten to sidetrack a teen's life. Parents of teenagers sometimes feel as if they're under attack from all sides and don't know where to turn for help. Sensing that despair, youth leadership trainer and life coach Jessie Funk (www.jessiefunk.com) has released a compelling new book designed to offer just the help that teens and their parents need. "It's Your Life ... Own It" is a goal-oriented and empowering read that will motivate young people to seriously examine and take ownership of their lives.

The statistics tell a harrowing tale:

• 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription medication
• Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24
• As many as 3 million teens acquire a sexually transmitted disease each year
• Ninety percent of the 8 million people in the U.S. with an eating disorder are teen girls.

Life as a teenage boy or girl is a virtual gauntlet of hazards and roadblocks. Powerful mentoring and leadership are an integral part of the solution.

"The answer to all of these problems is clear," says Funk. "Education has always been the best defense against negative influences. This book provides straightforward skills and techniques that will help young people make better choices for the rest of their lives. It's my hope that those skills will then be passed on to the next generation, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and empowerment."

"It's Your Life ... Own It" is aimed at both teenagers and their parents. The book is written in a language that will appeal to a teen audience, filled with humor and compassion. Engaging and realistic stories will keep teens riveted until the very last page. Chapter titles such as "Own Your Happiness," "Own Your Strengths" and "Own Your Power" offer a glimpse of the positive message that Funk hopes to communicate.

Because it's in a workbook format, parents can track their teens' progress through "It's Your Life ... Own It." In fact, parents are encouraged to become active participants as their teens learn and apply the lessons in the book. Teens need all the support and mentoring they can get. Absentee parents are a contributing factor to personal problems in teenagers.

Funk has a wealth of experience working with young people that informs her approach. She's the founder of "The Ivy Girl Academy," a confidence and leadership workshop for teenage girls (www.ivygirlacademy.com). As a mother, she believes our children have limitless potential to do good in the world when given the right tools and encouragement.

About the Author

Jessie Funk holds a leadership certification from the University of Notre Dame and is a certified life-coach. She has released five solo albums, published five books, has toured 36 states with the Broadway musical "Footloose," has performed for former Vice President Dick Cheney, as an opening act for Donny Osmond, Josh Grayson and Billy Dean and she has toured with Broadway sensation Maureen McGovern.

She has also been hired for hundreds of recording sessions as a studio vocalist including songs heard on TV's "America's Got Talent" and "The Biggest Loser." 

Despite all of these successes, Jessie's favorite role in life remains that of adored wife and mother of three.

Contact:

Jessie Funk
[email protected]
1-888-502-6108
www.jessiefunk.com

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SOURCE Jessie Funk