At CoolSpeak, we believe the best speakers are more than just a keynote, a workshop, or a title on a website. They are real people with lived experiences, hard-earned lessons, and a purpose that drives their work.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce our newest CoolSpeakers through a special Q&A series designed to help you get to know the people behind the message. In each conversation, we’ll go beyond the bio to explore the experiences, values, and moments that shape how these speakers connect with students, educators, and communities.

Next up: meet Alexis Mejia, a first-generation speaker passionate about helping students turn pressure into purpose and uncertainty into direction.

1. What’s a moment in your life that shaped who you are today?

A moment that shaped who I am today was getting academically dismissed from college. Coming from a first-generation, low-income background, being in college wasn’t just my opportunity; it was my family’s dream. So when I lost that opportunity, it hit deeper than just school. It felt like I let everyone down. In that moment, I had a choice. I could blame everything around me, or I could take ownership. That’s when I told myself, “It wasn’t their fault. It was my responsibility.” That shift changed everything. I rebuilt, found direction, and now I use that experience to help students understand that setbacks don’t define you; how you respond does.

2. What pulled you into working with students, families, or educators?

What pulled me into this work was that I wanted to become the person I needed when I was younger. As a first-generation student, I didn’t have a roadmap. I didn’t know how to navigate college, career decisions, or even what resources were available to me. At the same time, I carried the weight of my parents’ sacrifices coming from Puebla, Mexico, working hard every day to create opportunities for me. I saw the gap. I lived in confusion. And I knew I had to do something about it. This work isn’t just professional, it’s personal. Every time I speak, I see myself in those students.

3. When clients bring you in, what problems are they usually trying to solve?

When clients bring me in, they’re usually trying to solve a real challenge: How do we help students who feel overwhelmed, lost, or stuck under pressure start moving with clarity and direction?
A lot of the students I work with, especially first-generation students, are carrying pressure from all angles. Family expectations, financial stress, identity, and not knowing what comes next. And most of the time, they see that pressure as something negative… something holding them back.
My message shifts that. I help students understand that the pressure they’re feeling isn’t random, it’s necessary. It’s shaping them, growing them, and pushing them toward something.

I help them:

• See their struggles differently
• Take ownership of where they’re at
• Start making real decisions about college, career, and life

4. What does “the CoolSpeak difference” mean to you in your work?

The CoolSpeak difference, to me, means we’re not just motivating, we’re also shifting perspectives. We meet students and families where they are, speak from a place of real understanding, and create experiences that actually stick. The impact shows through the engagement, the conversations, and the stories students share after. It’s about real connection, not just a moment on stage.

5. What motivates you outside of speaking?

What motivates me is my parents and the sacrifices they make every day. From coming from Puebla, Mexico, to the US and adapting to this work culture. They motivate me because they continue to dream and do new things in their life. They don’t allow labels, challenges, or obstacles to define them. They inspire me to not give up on my dreams. The biggest impact on my life has been my parents. They came from Puebla, Mexico, and built a life here through hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. Watching them adapt, continue to dream, and never let obstacles define them shaped everything about me. They remind me every day that no matter what challenges come, you keep going. You don’t quit on your dreams. That’s what motivates me carry their story forward.

6. If someone is considering bringing you to their school or program, what would you want them to know?

I’m a first-generation student. I’ve had to figure a lot of things out on my own while trying to pursue my career, my goals, and my purpose. I didn’t always know what I was doing. There were moments when I felt lost, moments when I felt behind, and moments when the pressure was real. So when I come into a space, I’m not coming in like I have everything figured out. I’m coming in as someone who understands what that actually feels like.

My passion is serving students and families, especially the ones who feel like they’re trying to figure it out on their own. The ones who know they want more, but don’t always know what the next step is. I really believe there is a purpose in all of us. It’s already there. It’s just waiting for us to recognize it and step into it. But a lot of times, we let labels, challenges, or what we’ve been through stop us before we even try.

What I try to do is shift that. Not by just talking to students, but by connecting with them, being real with them, and helping them see their situation a little differently. Helping them realize that what they’re going through doesn’t disqualify them, it can actually push them forward if they learn how to use it.
At the end of the day, I just want students to walk away feeling like they’re not alone.

Alexis Mejia understands what it feels like to navigate pressure, uncertainty, and the weight of figuring things out on your own. As a first-generation student who has faced setbacks and learned how to rebuild through ownership and resilience, Alexis brings a perspective that students connect with because he has lived it.

Whether working with students, families, or educators, Alexis does more than motivate; he helps people shift perspectives. Through honest storytelling, real experiences, and meaningful connections, he helps students see that what they are going through does not disqualify them; it can actually push them forward toward purpose, clarity, and growth.

If your school, conference, or organization is looking for someone who connects authentically with students, helps young people navigate pressure and uncertainty, and creates experiences rooted in real connection and growth, Alexis would be honored to support the meaningful work already happening in your community.

Interested in bringing Alexis Mejia to your campus, program, or event? Connect with CoolSpeak to learn more about booking opportunities and how Alexis can support your students and families.