Kristen

by DIARA SPRINGER diaraspringer@nationnews.com

SITTING IN THE CORNER of his bedroom, defeated and exhausted, Kristen Greaves found himself at one of the lowest points in his life.

“I was just like, sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he recalled.

“I was frustrated with all the things that were happening in my life.”

In that dark corner, a thought pierced through his despair with crystal clarity: “Your circumstances do not determine your destiny.”

That powerful revelation would become more than just a mantra for the young Barbadian – it would transform into his life’s mission, propelling him from that bedroom floor to prestigious speaking platforms across Barbados.

The path to this revelation wasn’t an easy one. Growing up with an absent father and facing bullying, Kristen learned early on about life’s harsh realities. Yet these challenges, rather than breaking his spirit, would later become the foundation of his message of resilience and hope.

At just 21 years old, Kristen has already commanded attention at notable events including the National Youth Awards 2024, numerous graduation ceremonies, and the EMRG motivational event. With upcoming appearances at DisruptHR Barbados 6.0 and the regional ICBL congress, his star continues to rise. However, speaking wasn’t always his dream. “Growing up I never saw myself being a speaker,” Kristen admitted. His original plan was straightforward enough: finish school, study aviation overseas, and become a pilot. Then COVID-19 swept across the globe, disrupting not just his plans, but countless lives around him. It was during this period of global uncertainty that Kristen discovered his true calling. “I noticed that a lot of persons felt hopeless,” he said. “A lot of persons, even close to me, they expressed that they were feeling down.”

Despite never having spoken in front of an audience before, he felt an undeniable urge to use his voice.

“I felt as if it was the Holy Spirit saying to me, you got to use this gift of speaking to inspire others.”

This spiritual nudge led to the creation of One Minute Insights, an online ministry where Kristen began producing weekly inspirational videos. This initial step would eventually lead him to larger platforms, where he now specialises in helping youth and young professionals navigate life’s challenges through his innovative M-power Framework – a comprehensive approach that addresses mindset, purpose, obsession over growth, work habits, environment, and response to challenges.

Now sharing stages with seasoned speakers like Raphael Saul, Fabian Anthony and Alison Browne-Ellis, Kristen remains humble yet confident.

“It is mind-blowing and a testament of what God can do through a person,” he said, citing one of his favourite Bible verses – “Let no man despise thy youth”.

His impact extends beyond the speaking platform. Kristen has authored A New Look At Life: Journey Into Your Best Life, with a second book in the works for release later this year.

Perhaps most telling is his unwavering commitment to lifting others up.

“I want to be that source of inspiration and encouragement for somebody who is at that moment where they feel like they’re at their rock bottom,” he said.

“I want to help people realise that it doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter the situation you’re facing, it doesn’t matter the difficulties, the mistakes, the setbacks that you have encountered in your life. . . There’s still more within you.”

From that bedroom floor to the big stage, Kristen is living proof of his own message: circumstances indeed do not determine destiny. Through his journey, he’s not just sharing inspirational words – he’s embodying them, one speech at a time.