Biography
Oakland, California native Kevin Eastman thrives on simplicity and logic. An accomplished author, skilled speaker, business consultant, mentor, and community activist with a “tell it like it is” mentality, he shoots from the hip when discussing personal and professional development. His mission (and passion) is assisting people with overcoming obstacles they face, in business and life. One of his favorite philosophies is, "Obstacles, barriers, and challenges are only as large as you make them in your head."
A graduate of Castlemont High School in Oakland, Kevin served in multiple capacities while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years, at locations around the world. He has interacted with thousands of people, as a military training instructor (commonly known as a drill instructor) for a few years, over a decade as a recruiter at the high school, college, and post-graduate levels, and by presenting formal and informal information to dozens of military and civilian organizations.
Kevin has earned undergraduate education degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, Columbia Southern University respectively, as well as a graduate degree from Azusa Pacific University. He holds certifications in Marketing, Professional Selling Skills, Sales Coaching, and Life Coaching.
Married and residing in Southern California, Kevin enjoys being involved with community development and improvement efforts as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, watching and playing sports, traveling, watching movies, listening to music, writing, cooking, meeting people, and spending time with family and friends.
My Story... in My Words
It's been quite a journey for me, coming out of Oakland to where I am now. Shortly after high school, I joined the Air Force. It's because of that one decision, I've had the opportunity to visit and live in various parts of the world, meet interesting people, experience different cultures, and complete three levels of college education. Things like this work wonders on a person, regardless of where they start.
Through my travels, education, and career paths, I've managed to learn a few things. One of the most important, is a simple philosophy I've adopted: whenever possible, do your best to add value to another person's life, using the knowledge and experience you have.
One of the most amazing lessons ever taught to me, is the difference between passion and purpose. These two words may sound similar in some ways, but in actuality, are quite different. Passion is what wakes you up each day, ready to engage in an activity you find enjoyable. The purpose is the benefit another person receives as a result of you engaging in that activity you're passionate about. My passion is helping people to identify and simplify complicated areas of their life, for the purpose of keeping them moving toward their goals, and ultimately, fully enjoying their life. The challenge: getting a person to admit areas of their life may be complicated. I know all too well how difficult this can be, because the human ego can be a beast. Admittedly, at one point, my ego was spiraling out of control.
What's ironic is during my early adult years, I put my aspirations on the back burner. I was great at helping other people, but not as effective at helping myself. Why not? I was preoccupied with being angry at the world. I was looking for anything to point the blame at for my misfortune, except what needed the blame: ME! Self-doubt and low self-esteem were running rampant inside of my head, and as a result, other people were getting fixed, while I remained broken.
That pattern shifted when a fantastic mentor forced me to challenge my thinking. He asked me a single question that had power beyond my comprehension: "Why do you insist on short-changing yourself?" Amazingly, I had no answer! To compound matters, his follow-up stunned me even more: "I've heard you blame many sources for your misfortunes. Have you tried looking in a mirror?" These questions offended and frustrated me, but more importantly, they got my attention! It triggered a chain of events that has helped me completely transform my life.
Now, I want to assist as many people as I can in that same manner - by challenging their thinking, with hopes of helping them transform their own lives. I don't know (or proclaim to know) everything, but perhaps what I do know can help someone make positive adjustments in their life.
As a Military Training (Drill) Instructor in the Air Force.
Salute to Veterans
This is my not-so-small tribute to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. As a veteran myself, I can relate to the sacrifices and dedication required to put the uniform on each day. During our service, we miss countless milestones: from birthdays to holidays, dance recitals, soccer, football, and baseball games... even weddings and graduations. Our chosen profession takes us to locations many people can't find on a map, and sometimes, places we can't even tell anyone we've been to. Yet, we go anyway, because we believe in defending the freedoms we, and other citizens of our country enjoy, even if the people we defend those freedoms for don't necessarily enjoy us!
It doesn't matter if you wear (or have worn) the uniform of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. You are part of an elite group of people. Not everyone can, or even chooses to do what we do, or have done. As sibling services, we will kid each other about any number of things, but you can rest assured that we will defend you, if anyone else tries to come at you sideways.
I salute every man and woman who has put on a uniform of the armed forces, and served our country honorably.
