Biography
Oakland, California native Kevin Eastman thrives on simplicity and logic. An accomplished author, skilled speaker, business management consultant, mentor, and community activist with a “tell it like it is” mentality, he shoots straight from the hip when discussing personal and professional development. His mission (and passion) is assisting people with overcoming the 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 on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years, in multiple capacities, at locations around the world. In his various jobs, he has interacted with thousands of people. First, as a military training instructor (commonly known as a drill instructor). Then, he spent over a decade as a recruiter at the high school, college, and post-graduate levels. Since leaving active duty, he has made formal and informal presentations to military and civilian organizations.
Kevin has earned undergraduate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and Columbia Southern University, respectively, as well as a graduate degree from Azusa Pacific University. He also holds certifications in Marketing, Professional Selling Skills, Sales Coaching, and Life Coaching. Additionally, he is proficient in business acumen.
Kevin enjoys being involved with community development and improvement efforts as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 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 Own Words
It's been quite the journey for me, coming out of Oakland, to where I am now. Not long after high school, I joined the Air Force on what was supposed to be for four years. However, the decision to serve more than those planned four years turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Because of that decision, I've had the opportunity to visit and live in various places around the world, meet many interesting people, experience different cultures, and successfully complete three levels of college education. Things like that have a significant impact, and work wonders on a person, regardless of where they started.
Through my travels, education, and career paths, I've managed to learn a few things here and there. Among the most important things is a simple philosophy I adopted years back: 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. The two words may sound similar, but they're actually quite different, at least in my mind. To my way of thinking, passion is what wakes you up each day, ready to engage in an activity that you find enjoyable. The purpose is the benefit another person receives as a result of your engaging in that activity that you're passionate about. My passion is helping people identify, and simplify complicated areas of their life, with the purpose of keeping them moving toward their goals, and ultimately, fully enjoying their life. The challenge I often face: getting a person to admit areas of their life may be complicated. I know all too well how difficult that can be, because the human ego can be a beast. Admittedly, at one point, my ego was spiraling out of control.
What's ironic about that is, during my early adult years, I put my own aspirations and desires on the back burner. I was great at helping other people, but not as effective at helping myself. Why? I was too 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 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 way of thinking. He asked me two questions. The first question had power beyond my comprehension: "Why do you insist on short-changing yourself?" Amazingly, I had no answer to it! His follow-up question stunned me even more: "I've heard you blame many sources for your misfortunes. Have you tried looking in a mirror?" His questions made me mad... but more importantly, they got my attention! It triggered a chain of events that helped me completely transform my life.
Now, I'm on a mission to assist as many people as I can with transforming their lives, much in the same manner as I was helped - by forcing them to challenge the way they think. I don't know (nor proclaim to know) everything, but perhaps something I do know can help another person with making positive adjustments to their life.
As a Military Training (Drill) Instructor in the Air Force.
A Salute to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans
This is the space I've chosen to give a personal, not-so-small salute to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who wear (or have worn) the uniform, and serve (or have served) our country honorably. As a veteran myself, I wholeheartedly relate to the sacrifices and dedication required to wear the uniform each day.
Through no fault of our own, during our military service, we've missed countless milestones from birthdays to holidays, dance recitals, track meets, swim meets, soccer, football, softball, and baseball games. We've missed weddings and graduations. Our chosen profession took us to locations many people couldn't find on a map, and sometimes to locations we can't even tell anyone we've been to. Yet, we went anyway, because we believe in defense of 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 makes no difference if the uniform you wear, or have worn is of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, or our newest team, the U.S. Space Force. You are part of an elite group of people. Not everyone can, wants to, or even chooses to do what we do (or have done).
As sibling services, we'll kid each other about any number of things. We've earned the right to do so. However, you can rest assured, we'll fiercely defend you, if anyone else comes at you sideways!
