Be yourself. Love strongly. Dream big.

Our #MCM this week is Kevin Schatell, UGA student and huge source of inspiration for young professionals who want to live our their dreams -- he's doing it in NYC this summer! Read his story below (you can also tell he's a Photoshop guru):

1. What's your story? What makes you unique?

Oh, wow. First of all, this question makes me think about people watching. Do you ever just look around and wonder what everyone’s stories are? And then realize you’ve been staring at them too long, make awkward eye contact, and then pretend like you’re looking for your friend? Yeah, neither. Anyway, the crazy thing is that everyone has an extraordinary story. Everyone is made up of different experiences, relationships, values, dreams, and talents. Here’s a little glimpse into who I am. My name is Kevin Schatell. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but I moved to Atlanta, Georgia when I was very young. I fell in love with TV when I was young, and I spent a lot of time watching Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. I’ve always been passionate about television, which is why I’m currently pursuing a degree in Mass Media Arts at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs)! This is the most basic answer for “what is your story,” and I’d much prefer getting coffee and telling you more (while also getting to know your story). So, if you and I are ever in the same area, let’s do it. My treat. (I guess what makes me unique is the fact that I just invited an unpredictable amount of strangers on a coffee date…)

2. What motivates you?

A lot of things motivate me, so here’s a brief list of some of those things: my family, my friends, good music (typically catchy pop songs), coffee, inspirational quotes, TV shows (especially Glee), red wine, Chick-fil-A breakfast, and handwritten notes. I guess all of those things tie back to my heart. I love to be motivated, but more importantly, I love to be inspired. I love that feeling of passion welling up in my heart and inspiring me from the inside out.

3. Who is a hero of yours?

Hoopie Ball, one of my best friends, is also my hero. She’s my hero for several reasons. First of all, she embraces who she is at her core. Hoopie is one of the most unique individuals I’ve ever met (I mean, her name’s Hoopie after all). She is not afraid to stand out and be different, which to me is one of the most inspiring qualities a person can have. Second, Hoopie is fearlessly pursuing her dreams. She’s currently embarking on an exciting new adventure on the other side of the country. She’s taking a risk to pursue what she loves. That also makes her my hero. She never fails to encourage me and make me laugh. And to be honest, that’s exactly what I look for in a hero: unwavering loyalty and a brilliant sense of humor. Teleportation and invisibility would be nice, too, though (you should work on that, Hoopie).

4. What's your future plan? Your goals?

Well, this summer I’m living in New York City!!! That is a huge dream come true for me. I’m hoping to get my foot in the door of the entertainment industry. I love, love, love television. I want to work in television production for a few years to learn how it all works. The ultimate dream is to co-host my own talk show. I say “co-host” because I love other people, and I’d love to sip coffee and chat with a co-host about pop culture (think “Live! with Kelly and Kevin"). All of my plans and goals tie back to what I believe is my personal purpose: to entertain and to inspire.

5. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?

My one piece of advice is actually 3 pieces of advice. I live by these three phrases: Be yourself. Love strongly. Dream big. I read Demi Lovato’s book (no shame in that—love love love Demi), and she recommended creating a unique personal mantra that you remind yourself every day. So that has become mine. Be Yourself - I think this is the most important thing in the world. There is absolutely nothing more important than being your authentic self. I am a firm believer that God created each of us as uniquely extraordinary individuals. When we embrace the gifts, talents, strengths, weaknesses, imperfections, quirks, and special differences that make us us, then we are living the most fulfilling life. Love Strongly - In addition to being yourself, it’s important to love others for being themselves. I am extremely relationship-oriented, so people always come first for me. Once you love yourself, it’s a lot easier to love others. Loving strongly means committing to a person with all your heart. Loving strongly extends beyond relationships, too. It means living a passionate life and doing what you love. Dream Big - Dreams give you purpose. They help you define the why in life. For me, they are why I get out of bed every morning. This is one of my favorite quotes, and it’s something I think about daily: “Dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them.” To accomplish our wildest dreams, we have to learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves. Every day is an opportunity for growth. When times get tough, our dreams are the fuel that keeps us moving forward.

6. Anything I haven't asked that you'd like to talk about?

I’d like to just say a huge thank you to Meredith Dean for being a wonderful source of inspiration and support. Meredith—you are a trailblazer. I love you! And the Dean’s List!