Meet Chris Tompkins | Life Coach, Teacher, Author & Future Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Tompkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I’m a huge quote and affirmation person, so it isn’t easy to pick just one. The quote I often share that means a lot to me, though, is by Robert Fulghum. It goes, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” For the past six years, I’ve been teaching social and emotional learning throughout Los Angeles County. I used to measure the success of a class by what I could see. I soon realized that I have no idea what’s going on inside a person. Some of the most powerful breakthroughs came from the youth I thought I didn’t reach. This quote helps remind me that each of us is a teacher and how we teach isn’t always through our words. More importantly, it’s by our demonstration. Ultimately, it makes me want to live my life better for the sake of the next generation. As far as affirmations, I use them all day throughout the day. Otherwise, the fear voices will sneak right in. From the moment I wake up, I immediately begin to affirm positive thoughts and express gratitude. That’s not to say I only think positive thoughts. But the moment I begin to worry or have “stinking thinking,” I have tools to check my thoughts. Using positive statements in the present tense throughout my day has been especially important during these challenging times. One of my favorite affirmations, that you’re more than welcome to use, is: I am supported, I am certain, I am strong, I know my place, I know where I belong.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Living 25 years of my life in the closet, I was pretty good at putting up walls, mastering human behavior, and blaming everything outside of myself for my personal unhappiness. I’ve always had a passion for wanting to help others and change the world. I spent the majority of my professional career working for non-profits and trying to make a difference in the lives of others. Not realizing I was trying to make a difference in my own life. After coming out of the closet, I wanted to give back and make an impact on the LGBTQ community’s fight for equality. Since my move to LA in 2008, I’ve either worked or volunteered with most of the local and national LGBTQ organizations. I’ve also worked at an LGBTQ Public Relations agency and in West Hollywood at one of the largest gay bars in the world—which is the equivalent of grad school for human psychosocial behavior. I’ve since realized that my fight to change other people was actually an internal fight I was experiencing within myself. One that ultimately led me to connecting with my life’s purpose. In 2013, I started a blog to share my personal transformation called, A Road Trip to Love. Writing for my blog led to starting a life coaching practice, teaching social-emotional learning throughout LA County, giving a 2017 TEDx talk, writing a book called, Raising LGBTQ Allies (out May 15, 2021), and most recently, pursuing a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. My desire with everything I do is to help others connect to their purpose and learn how to truly love and accept themselves in order to live happier, healthier, and more peace-filled lives. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This year marks 12 years that I’ve lived in Los Angeles. I most certainly wouldn’t be where I am in life without my friends and community. What I love most about Los Angeles is that it’s a city full of people pursuing a dream. It’s also a city with which you can be easily distracted and lose sight of your dream. I’d like to dedicate my Shoutout to a very special friend, Griffin Marc. Griffin and I met about a year after I moved here. We used to work together at a bar in West Hollywood and we’ve remained friends ever since. We’ve seen each other at our lowest and without his friendship, my life wouldn’t be the same. Griffin is one of the most genuine and authentic people I know. He also has a kind heart. To know him is to not only love him, but to feel loved in return. Our conversations can go on for hours and I always leave better because of them. Griffin is a successful personal trainer who was working at Crunch Fitness in West Hollywood. Since the pandemic, he’s become an outdoor fitness guru. Watching him keep an optimistic attitude and lift others up by sharing his gifts has been such an inspiration. He helps remind me to stay true to my purpose and the rest will work out (pun intended).

Website: www.aroadtriptolove.com
Instagram: @aroadtriptolove
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christompkinslife/
Twitter: @aroadtriptolove
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroadtriptolove/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/0P2GGcuJl6w