By Alejandra Wells
When I got the invitation to speak at the LIVE Leadership Camp, my heart did a little flip. Not just because I was honored, but because this camp is part of my story.
Years ago, I was just another middle schooler at LIVE. At the time, I was silently battling depression, anxiety, and thoughts I didn’t feel safe enough to say out loud. But then came a moment that changed everything: I met my camp counselor, who became my safe person. She didn’t try to fix me. She just listened. She saw me. And in that space of kindness and trust, I started to open up.
So when I stood in front of a new generation of campers this June, I wasn’t just speaking. I was returning. I was healing. I was living proof that hope is real and that it grows in the most unexpected places.
The theme of this year’s LIVE Camp was "Hope," and I was invited to speak on "Setting Goals." It sounds simple, but for me, goal-setting was a lifeline. After my lowest point, I began making bracelets as a way to cope. I never imagined it would turn into Hiya, a full jewelry brand dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
During my talk, I shared my story, the dark parts, the healing parts, and the joy of creating something that helps others feel seen. I also led the girls through a simple but powerful activity: setting one tiny goal that felt authentic to them. Whether it was drinking more water, texting a friend back, or journaling once a week, we celebrated goals that were about self-love, not perfection.
I told them what I wish someone had told me back then: You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.
And maybe that’s what hope really is: the courage to begin.
Quote to Feature: "I was once a middle school camper at LIVE Leadership Camp, struggling deeply with my mental health. A safe, supportive adult helped me feel seen for the first time. Returning as a speaker allowed me to come full circle and share that same kind of hope with girls who needed it most."
See the moments from camp below.
