Life is not about what happens to us. It’s about what we do with what happens to us. Few people embody this truth more powerfully than Stephen Panus. A mentor, coach, inspirational speaker, and best-selling author, Stephen’s journey took a tragic turn on August 9, 2020. On that day, his 16-year-old son, Jake, a kind, bright, and magnetic young soul, lost his life as a passenger in a vehicle involved in a reckless driving crash. The news shattered Stephen’s world, bringing unimaginable grief and heartbreak. Yet, from the depths of this loss, Stephen chose not to be defined by tragedy, but to transform it into something that could uplift others.