With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose. – Wayne Dyer

Sometimes people can find themselves in precarious or depressing points in their lives, as if they are standing at a fork in the road. One of the paths would lead them down the path of continuing to be a victim and the other path would lead them down a new path to a self-empowered life. For some a moment of illumination, an understanding and a clarity can come through to their consciousness at times like these.  During times of trial and tribulation amazing positive changes can occur, changes that leave not only the individual in a better place but can ripple out into the world. Such an enlightenment often leads to the immense and undeniable desire to share what they have learned with others and to give back what they have been given...such it is with the Founders of the You Can You Will Foundation.​​

The You Can You Will Foundation was born in November 2015. The dream originated a number of years ago where inspiration led to inspired action and YCYW became a reality.  YCYW was founded on a belief that everyone deserves to live an extraordinary life; that we all have this amazing power within us; and learning to unleash it can create an extraordinary life. Self-empowerment is the first step.​​

​In 2006 I was at the lowest point in my life, forced to lay in the hospital bed.  With my spinal cord inflamed, I was numb from the chest down, unable to walk and doctors not knowing what was wrong with me.  I felt as thou my life was taken away and my heart sank further over the next few days as I was told I may have to live with this the rest of my life. A choice was presented to me to continue down the same path that led me to that hospital bed or to create real change in my life and walk down a new path. When discharged from the hospital, I could choose to blame others for my circumstances, or choose to take responsibility for the life that I created, causing me to end up in the hospital. I realized that all the choices that I made in life have gotten me to where I am now. If I kept making the same choices I would be following the same path and end up back in the same place again. Choosing to take responsibility for my situation was the first self-empowering step. This allowed a new path to appear, one that lead to the self-empowered life I now lead. With each small step and the little changes that appeared I gained confidence in the direction I chose. I discovered that when you take care of yourself you become whole, then you are able to reach out and help others. I began to see amazing changes in my life. I knew that f I could create these immense changes, then anyone could. With this inspiration and gratitude bursting out of me I needed to find a way to share this knowledge.

Andy Holland, Co-Founder

“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”

​– Steve Jobs

"Teach a man to fish..."

In 2008 I found myself thinking about all the charities in our world and all the good that they do, all the dollars, food, resources, etc. that is given out to people.  At some point my thoughts shifted...I found myself wondering why things are only slowly getting better in our world with all of these great organizations out there. After researching this question I realized that many charities just put band-aids on dire situations, much like prescription medications that can mask unwanted symptoms but can never provide a cure from that which is underlying and causing the illness. I thought if there could be an organization that helped people create lasting change in their life, providing the “cure” instead of masking symptoms then think of the real impact it could make in our world.  As the old adage says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” I set out to do just that. One by one the right people came into my life, amazing, thoughtful, giving, wise, kind, and exceptional people that helped to co-create this vision and make it a reality. Through the You Can You Will Foundation we can provide a vehicle to help individuals empower themselves to live the life they desire in all of its beautiful, exquisite, unique, healthy and happy forms...​

​I would also like to add that my motivation stems from my parents, Harry and Janice Holland, who planted the seeds of philanthropy in me.  They were big supporters of the arts and many charities and inspired me to appreciate the opportunity to help others and the internal rewards to be gained from giving of yourself.