"Can you please take me to the Emergency Room?"

The date was March 11, 2010

I was lying on the bathroom floor at my house.

I was severely dehydrated because I couldn't keep anything down for two days. I asked my wife to take me to the hospital.

The ER doctor asked me, "Do you have a stressful job?"

After a lot of tests, I was told that I had four ulcers in the lining of my stomach and esophagus.

My job as a Private School Leader had finally put me in the hospital.

Which of these statements best describes you?

I feel discouraged, exhausted and stressed out. I'm not sure that my job is sustainable.

I am in survival mode.

I wish that I had more time with my family.

My school invades every part of my professional and personal life.

I want to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader. 

I wish that my job still energized me like it used to.

I am "fine", but it has been a long time since I felt like I was really "rocking it" at school.

I feel called to do this work, but I am not sure how long I can keep doing it if nothing changes.

I have been where you are.

I have been diagnosed with burnout.

I have had my daughter ask me, "Dad, when do we get to see you instead of the back of your laptop?"

I have thought about getting out of education. Just walking away. It was too stressful, too overwhelming, too lonely, too hard.

The good news is that it doesn't have to stay this way.

"Life before THRIVE Academy was good but not great.  I tend to be my own worst critic and can have self doubt.  I struggled with boundaries and wanting to be available for anyone and everyone at any hour of the day.  I took care of everyone but myself and my family.  

Setting boundaries, scheduling my planned times, and focusing on being intentional about things are three of the biggest takeaways for me.  

As I transition to the role of principal, I feel like THRIVE Academy has set me up to be the best version of myself.  Not only for my school, but more importantly, my family.  I can't thank Mark enough for the time we spent together and recommend this program to any principal, new or old.  This was the best investment for myself that I've ever made."

Paul, Principal, Missouri

"After 25 years in education, I found myself this year overwhelmed by my leadership role and school responsibilities, to the point where they consumed every aspect of my life. I was answering emails before breakfast, staying at work too late, and my personal life had all but vanished. I realized I needed to break this cycle and regain balance to rediscover the joy that drew me to this work in the first place. I trusted Mark Minkus and his wealth of experience and wisdom, and enrolling in THRIVE Academy turned out to be the best career decision I’ve made to date.

Some of the most impactful aspects of the THRIVE program for me have definitely been related to setting boundaries. Additionally, I’ve implemented actionable steps such as managing emails more effectively, taking control of my calendar, and focusing on achieving a better work-life blend.

School life will always come with its share of challenges, daily crises, and high energy. What I’ve learned is to approach each day with confidence, staying organized and calm, and avoiding the ‘tyranny of the urgent.’ As a result, I am happier, more connected to my family, and more enthusiastic than ever.”

Kerry Ann, Head of Lower School, Nashville, TN

"THRIVE Academy has been instrumental in regaining my confidence as an administrator. In addition to all of the brainwork and helpful strategies within the program itself, the time you meet with other administrators is invaluable. Once I spoke with others who had similar experiences and challenges, I was able to know that the difficulty of the job was not due to my deficiency. Being an administrator is just a really tough job!"

Noelle, Head of Lower School, Elgin, IL

"The job of being an administrator can be very challenging and lonely. Over time it can wear you down physically, emotionally and spiritually if you are not careful. I found that THRIVE Academy was like a lifeline. 

The course has empowered me to be my best self. It reinvigorated me and has given practical tools that are easy to apply to my daily routine, maximizing my efficiency and presence on campus. 

I truly am more motivated and fulfilled in my job after having taken this course and highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to do the same."

Steve, Head of School, Ellicott City, MD

During the weekly group coaching sessions, you will go LIVE (on Zoom) with other Christian School leaders, just like you.

When you are trying to do something challenging, it is always easier when you do it with someone else.

The other leaders on the group coaching call already understand you and your pain points.

• The empathy will be high.
• The level of encouragement will be high.
• The growth will be through the roof!

I can't wait to meet you on our next live group coaching call!

Meet Your Instructor

Hi! My name is Mark Minkus and I was a Private School Leader for 33 years and I have been coaching school leaders for over 20 years.

I have been where you are.

I have been diagnosed with burnout. I have been in the hospital with ulcers. I have had my daughter ask me, "Dad, when do we get to see you instead of the back of your laptop?"

I have wondered if I can keep going after all of the years of stress, decisions, upset parents, budgets, board meetings, needy teachers, student discipline, broken furnaces and evenings and weekends dominated by school work.

In THRIVE Academy, I will take you step by step through a very intentional curriculum. I will help you accurately assess where you are, clearly define why you do what you do and teach you strategies to better manage your time and create sustainable boundaries between school and home. 

I can't wait to help you go from surviving to THRIVING!

What if you could wave a magic wand over your life and get exactly what you want?

Please give me a few minutes to explain how THRIVE Academy can help you get the TRANSFORMATION that you need and the life that you want!

Professional Development for Private School Leaders is typically expensive and rare.

The budget is always tight. That means that you usually are near the bottom of the list when it comes to professional development.

Going to a conference can be very expensive: travel, meals, lodging, registration. Sometimes a conference can easily cost over $2000.00 for just one school leader.

THRIVE Academy is less than $700.00 and I guarantee the results or you get your money back.

Many THRIVE Academy students use Title II Funds from their local, public school district to pay for the course. 

I will be happy to send you an invoice so that your school can pay for this important PD opportunity.

You can also get a group discount when you purchase THRIVE Academy for your Leadership Team (Email [email protected] for more details)

"As a Communications Director and a one-person office juggling many responsibilities, I knew I needed support to manage my professional life since I felt out of control. Working with Mark and Thrive Academy gave me access to so many tools to empower myself and really change my mindset. Knowing that my very demanding work schedule isn’t going to disappear, I now have tools and strategies to help me refocus, be more intentional, and regain control of what I can. This experience has truly been transformative for me in managing the pressures of my job."

Noelle, Communications Director, Corona del Mar, CA

"As the Founder and Head of School, I carried the weight of creating something that didn’t exist before—a school designed for twice-exceptional (2e) students. The responsibility was immense, and at times it felt like the entire school rested squarely on my shoulders. That level of pressure, combined with the constant demands of leadership, was taking a toll on my physical health. I knew I needed strategies and support to sustain myself and to guide the school through its next phase of growth.

Enrolling in THRIVE Academy was a turning point. I learned how to step out of the trees and see the forest—keeping the bigger picture in front of me without being consumed by the day-to-day. Mark brought a wealth of experience and wisdom that other supports hadn’t; he understood the nuance of leading in this space and offered practical strategies when challenges arose. His coaching gave me the confidence to step back, keep perspective, and lead my team more effectively at a pivotal moment for the school.

Today, I can take on big challenges without sacrificing my health or losing sight of priorities. I lead with clarity, maintain sustainable boundaries, and stay focused on the strategic goals of the school. THRIVE Academy didn’t just strengthen my leadership—it had a ripple effect, positively impacting my team and, most importantly, the students we serve."

Kara, Head of School, Winston-Salem, NC

"Although I’ve been in my leadership role for some time, I often found myself second-guessing my leadership processes, running in circles—like a hamster on a wheel. One of my biggest challenges was getting stuck in my office. 

In THRIVE Academy, Mark shared practical tips for managing daily habits that have allowed me to be more present with both students and faculty, while also setting healthy boundaries. Now, I can be out and about in the school, set daily goals, and stay focused on what truly matters. 

Most importantly, THRIVE Academy helped me reconnect with my “why” and gave me renewed confidence in my work."

Jen, Principal of Academic Affairs, St. Louis, MO

I'm worried about you.

I'm worried that if you keep doing the same things the same way that you are going to burn out. Or worse.

Please give me a few minutes to explain how THRIVE Academy can help you learn how to do things differently!

"I contacted Mark about THRIVE Academy and leadership coaching because many aspects of my work were becoming unaligned. I felt like the pieces about serving at school that I loved were being overwhelmed by the parts that were draining my energy and joy.

Mark was able to use his wisdom and experience to zero in on small changes I could make to realign myself and the way I lead at school. This year has been much different for me because of this, and I feel like I have a renewed sense of purpose and effectiveness as I lead."

Dan, Principal, Wycoff, NJ

"This has been an incredible experience. It provides a truly unique space where leaders can support and learn from one another.The weekly calls have been invaluable, offering insightful discussions and guidance. THRIVE Academy is packed with exceptional content, but what truly sets it apart is the community aspect.

This combination makes it unlike any other group I’ve been a part of. This is the professional learning network I’ve been searching for.  Having a community of leaders ready to support each other is powerful. We all are at different stages in our careers but I'm quickly learning we all face so many of the same challenges."

Crissy, Former Head of Middle School, Texas