We’re looking forward to introducing you to Louie T. Mcclain II. Check out our conversation below.
Louie T., it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many of people secretly struggle with living with and operating daily as their true, authentic self. It is a struggle because many people do not know who they are at their core. They know who they once were at different parts of their journey, they know who they would like to be, and they even know who they admire and would like to model their behaviors or other qualities. However, to actually step into the actualization of who they would like to be… this requires necessary changes that many aren’t willing to make on a daily basis.
Changes in character, temperament, or lifestyle choices such as eating better, waking up earlier, or exercising… each of these are a few that barely scratch the surface. People suffer because life calls for growth, and this growth can be sensed and felt within our bodies. When we make a conscious decision to not heed that growth, it causes us to feel angst, and it causes us to suffer. However, I believe people begin to arrive at a better place with self-dignity when they begin to ask themselves – who am I at my core? What do I truly want out of life or even this day? What tools do I have, within, to actualize these goals and further my sense of wellbeing?
To operate as one’s authentic self doesn’t only mean to be brash with your words and speak the first thing that comes to your mind at any time. It’s more about realizing that “thoughts are things” and that we have the ability to pick and choose the greatest, empowering thoughts for our lives. We can choose our moods, we can choose our responses, and we can choose love as our dominant expression. With these acknowledgements, we also can begin with loving ourselves first and foremost and do the work required to mitigate factors that cause us to suffer in silence.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In 2021, I created a goal to arrive at a newfound, healthy self-identity by the end of the year. And that identity took on the form of “The Meditative Coach”. It is a daily aspiration and the highest version of myself regarding my interactions with myself and with others. As The Meditative Coach, I am a transformational speaker who pairs mindset philosophy with practical strategies to help people achieve both personal and professional success. I am a personal development sage who offers profound insights for modern challenges and is committed to making a positive impact in the community through meaningful service.
Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of Building Pathways, a nonprofit that connects kids aging out of foster care and second chance citizens with employment opportunities and I am a staunch advocate for a National Rites of Passage Program for puberty aged boys. My professional experience includes work as a Corporate Trainer with American Airlines, and I am an author and publisher who has authored seven books spanning topics from Black History to my signature LiTToL® Mindset Philosophy.
As The Meditative Coach, I am a missionary to the culture with a simple but powerful mission: helping people discover their passion and purpose to create the life they desire. But my story didn’t begin there. I’m a young man, (turning 40 soon) from Arlington, Texas who beat the odds of prison, poverty, and despair and I constantly strive for success and continuous self-improvement. I have undertaken many passion projects in the past including a seven (7) year career of working with troubled teens in the juvenile justice system, providing scholarships for children in Liberia, West Africa, and founding Melanin Origins: a publishing company that specializes in children’s books about lesser known African American Pioneers and focuses on rebuilding a connection to our cultural and spiritual past.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My business mentor Jeffrey B. Postell Jr. Although I have had several great male role models before Jeff and I met each other, Jeff taught me persistence in showing up, in appearance, in knocking on doors, and leaving no stone unturned. This man has built an eight (8) figure construction company and along his journey I seen the sacrifices he made for his children’s wellbeing. I saw the sacrifices he made for his vision to thrive. I saw him sleeping under his desk in construction trailers for months on end. I saw his faith waiver during the covid 19 pandemic due to skyrocketing business expenses and massive layoffs. I witnessed his faith and work ethic as he moved forward through the hard times, in full faith, receiving rewards from God and his company is now blessed tenfold.
Jeff continues to lead in his industry, he continues to thrive in interpersonal relationships, and he created a non-profit foundation to help others realize their own greatness and uplevel their quality of life. To me, there is not a better example for me to follow other than Jeffrey Postell’s leadership, vision, and work ethic.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to make loving myself a top priority. Often times, due having a religious background or strong sense of community… we focus solely on pouring into others to our own detriment. The truth remains that we cannot pour from an empty cup. If we are to love our neighbors as our-self, then we must make self-love a priority.
This notion pans out in one’s volunteerism and passion projects, career direction, and even relationships.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Currently, I am finalizing a very special project that consolidates my life journey, simplifies my path forward, and lays a foundational philosophy for people of any background to obtain healing and gain self-mastery. The project is entitled: LiTToL® Acoustic Solutions and it is an acoustic album that’s delicately filled with New Age Musical Melodies and High-Level Oratory that guides all listeners into the way of self-mastery and mindfulness. It is personal development coaching with a unique blend of spiritual depth, emotional clarity, and cultural relevance.
Although I personally believe that every human can benefit from this body of work, I am specifically targeting at-risk youth, their mentors, and those entering entry-level careers who seek to propel their lives forward. Simply put, if you have a young person in your life that you want to see make it to the next level in their journey, stream LiTToL® Acoustic Solutions today for FREE and introduce your mentee into the way of self-mastery!! LiTToL® Acoustic Solutions promotes self-mastery and leadership development from a philosophical, health & wellness perspective. Here’s a gist of the album in a nutshell:
As we identify our purpose and move on it… we simultaneously reclaim our peace and we intentionally, remove internal blocks to that peace. Through peace, we can quiet our minds, level set, and be in the best position to visualize the successful accomplishment of our desires. Through visualization, we can write the vision down and make it plain, utilizing fundamental business strategies. Note: if the battle is for the mind, then what life does is send you tests, trials, distractions, and opportunities for doubt… all in an effort to get you to release your grip of holding on to your positive intentions, that beautiful vision that you strongly desire to achieve and experience.
But faith is about holding on to that intention, through it all, and enduring the processes required for success. A wise person who understands this will endeavor to cultivate a life that allows him or herself to move forward, flow with the changes of life, and gracefully achieve. LiTToL® Acoustic Solutions helps to make that crystal clear for the clients, employees, mentors, and mentees of the world. And it’s all delivered over soft playing acoustic tunes curated by phenomenal national and international musical artists.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me is that I did all that I could to utilize every available tool, resource, and my own God-Given talent to allow the light of God to shine through me in an effort to make the world a better place. As I alluded to earlier, I am consolidating my life’s experience and the wisdom I’ve gained along the journey. I’ve played guitar for over 15 years now, I’ve written songs for over 25 years, I’ve led passion projects and still lead them, and I’ve arrived at a healthy self-identity for myself after bouts with depression, low self-esteem, and loss. All of this is embodied in my coaching brand, The Meditative Coach, and all of this is shared, beautifully, in LiTToL® Acoustic Solutions. My journey from here on out will primarily consist of helping the world understand universal law as backed by psychology and neuroscience which confirms the glorious resilience that each human possesses within to achieve their goals and attain to the realization of the life of their desires.
I am grateful for the mantle and opportunity to be on that journey, however, I don’t want anyone to forget idea that sparked it all. African American readership and achievement is still statistically low among grade-school aged children. So, my ask to you, the reader, is for you to never forget the value of Melanin Origins Children’s Books. What intrigues me the most about our niche in the industry is the way we highlight the resilience and tenacity of African American leaders who stand for truth, justice, and overcoming any obstacles placed in their way. Melanin Origins was created to share messages of lesser-known African American pioneers to the children of the world and empower them to aspire for excellence and chase their dreams regardless of any complications they may face.
We believe young children deserve to start their journey to learning about historical figures in a way that excites them, therefore, our mission is to provide quality educational materials which inspire young minds to aspire for excellence while embracing their heritage. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, a term coined by Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, is a teaching that believes that culture is central to learning. It recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning. While many studies exist to explain why African American students do not excel well academically, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy has been proven to increase academic achievement. This is the foundation of Melanin Origins’ learning materials.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/themeditativecoach/littol-acoustic-solutions
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littolacousticsolutions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meditative-coach/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LiTToLAcousticSolutions
- Other: Sign The Petition for a National Rites of Passage: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mBX5A9y8WurH22oAaHwdGoVR6JSbBzWKjRBBVU2VklA/edit
Book The Meditative Coach to Speak: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W38QJuejHRdBm3CS9CmD09vGnVqHeYY8/view
View Melanin Origins Children’s Books’ Catalog:
All Books
