Marshall Davis Jones Coach Spotlight

Marshall is a celebrated spoken word artist and the Founder of MindBodySpeak. His unique gift runs deep into the human experience, exploring universal themes from identity and culture to connection and technology. As a Robin Coach, Marshall works with young people to harness the power of their voice, their words and their movement to say what they mean and mean what they say.

How does communication help build connection and establish healthy relationships?

Communication is about proximity. We determine how near or how far others can be to us. This includes what we feel comfortable sharing and how comfortable we are in sharing it. Our relationships reflect how healthy our boundaries are. The quality of our communication supports or destroys those boundaries.

Why do you think it is important for K-12 BIPOC students in particular to talk about their mental health and find their own voice?

Everyone learns about how to take up space in the world very early. There is imagery all around us that suggests how to be. Our voice is a printout of that belief. When we are able to carry ourselves with dignity, we speak with it. This impacts how we make our way through life.

What is the single most important life skill or lesson we can teach our children and teens?

Look up. That sounds simple I know. Think about how much we look down. Our phones are always below our eyes. There’s a whole world above the selfie camera.

We can only teach this by showing it.

What are the top 1-3 skills you teach?

• Resetting the system with the breath.
• Occupying space
• Respecting and holding space for others

What would you say your superpower is?

An indestructible willingness to improve.

What mantra do you live by?