As we stand at the cusp of an ever-evolving world, one of the most pressing questions for the younger generation is how to navigate a future defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). In the face of rapid technological advances, the disintegration of traditional career paths, and societal challenges, young people are looking for ways to carve out their paths to success. Enter Ryan Nicholas Leong Wei Ren, founder of GENIUS Generation Youth Coaching (GGYC) and a thought leader who has dedicated himself to empowering youth to thrive in this new age. Leong, often recognized as Singapore’s first GENIUS Generation Youth Coach, is more than just a mentor – he is a guide for the leaders of tomorrow.
Leong’s journey towards youth coaching and mentoring wasn’t born out of theory or abstract ideals, but from lived experiences that shaped his belief in the transformative power of education, emotional well-being, and holistic development. His path, though not an easy one, serves as a beacon for the very youth he seeks to help today. As someone who has walked the difficult road of overcoming personal obstacles, including childhood cancer, Leong’s passion for mentoring is deeply rooted in his own struggles, which have now become his strength.
A Journey of Transformation: From Struggle to Strength
Leong’s youth was not one marked by privilege or ease. Small in stature and struggling with learning difficulties, he often found himself at the mercy of a fast-paced and competitive world. His experiences with bullying, social pressure, and toxic behaviors left emotional scars that would take years to heal. “I suffered in silence,” Leong reflects, “as peers and adults I trusted took advantage of me.” These formative years, however, also ignited a fire within him – a desire to break free from the constraints of his circumstances and take charge of his future.
The turning point in Leong’s life came when he was diagnosed with childhood cancer. Faced with his own mortality, he realized that blaming the world for his misfortune wasn’t going to solve anything. Instead, he shifted his mindset, choosing to look within and become the change he so desperately needed. This personal transformation, driven by a sense of urgency and intentionality, became the foundation for his mission today. “I started living intentionally,” says Leong, “and eventually began harvesting the fruits of labor that I now want to share with youth who feel lost or aimless, or who yearn to realize their potential beyond mediocrity.”
Leong’s philosophy is clear: the foundation for future success lies in the development of a young person’s mind, body, and soul. At a time when the world seems to be in constant flux, it is crucial to focus on instilling the right influences and habits in youth. “A young soul can be inspired and intrinsically motivated to create value for themselves and their communities long into adulthood,” Leong emphasizes. By guiding youth toward self-awareness, self-mastery, and self-expression, Leong hopes to equip them with the tools they need to confidently face the challenges of an uncertain tomorrow.
The Challenge of Building a Future-Proof Career
As a coach, Leong is well aware of the struggles youth face in today’s rapidly changing job market. Traditional career paths are evolving, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of work is a source of anxiety for many young people. With technologies advancing at an unprecedented rate, many fear being replaced by automation and AI. Rising living costs only compound these concerns, leading many youth to explore side hustles as a means of financial security. “The competition is only going to increase,” Leong observes, “especially as new technologies empower anyone with internet access to create monetizable content and appear as an expert in any field.”
Leong’s work centers on helping youth navigate these challenges and finding their unique place in a saturated market. By fostering the right mindset and emotional resilience, he helps them develop strategies to stand out and stay relevant. “With the right guidance, youth can find ways to turn challenges into opportunities, especially in a world where innovation is the key to staying ahead,” says Leong.
However, the external challenges young people face today are not limited to career uncertainty. The digital world has introduced a host of social issues that can be damaging to a young person’s mental health. Leong is acutely aware of the dangers posed by social media algorithms, which can hijack a youth’s dopamine system and foster unrealistic expectations. “Social media and screens create echo chambers and superficial learning, which can lead to unhealthy addictions and mental health complications long down the road,” Leong warns. Helping youth develop discernment and emotional intelligence is central to his coaching approach.
A Recognition Well-Deserved
Leong’s dedication to youth empowerment has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, he was named Top Youth Coach of the Year, an accolade that he sees as both a recognition of his hard work and an opportunity to further extend his impact. “This recognition motivates me to continue innovating on approaches that bring value to my clients and partners,” Leong shares. “It also gives me leverage to build my credibility further with larger players in the industry and inspire those just starting out that it’s not about age or background but the mindset, drive, and heart that matter.”
The impact of this recognition has been profound, but for Leong, the real reward comes from seeing his clients succeed. “When I see a young person grow in confidence, find their passion, and carve out a meaningful career path, that’s the real success for me,” he adds.
The Art of Becoming Irresistibly Attractive for Dream Jobs
Leong’s coaching methods are not conventional. He believes that in order to help youth succeed in the 21st century, one must approach development from a holistic and multi-faceted perspective. “It’s about surrounding yourself with driven mentors and learning from diverse fields,” Leong explains. Through the guidance of mentors such as Glenn Lim, Chairman of Mentoring SG, and Arthur Carmazzi, a world-renowned culture thinker, Leong has refined his approach to mentoring youth. These mentors have challenged him to step out of his comfort zone and innovate upon his coaching methods.
Leong’s coaching is built on a foundation of diverse knowledge, blending mental health practices, design thinking, and marketing to create unique solutions for today’s youth. He also uses psychometric tools to help youth understand their natural preferences, enabling them to pursue career paths that align with their inherent strengths. This personalized approach allows youth to accelerate their learning, compound their growth, and create exponential impact that yields both financial success and personal fulfillment.
Leong also incorporates the concept of “worldbuilding” into his coaching. By creating immersive, gamified experiences, he encourages youth to engage in scenario-based learning that simulates real-world challenges. This method not only entertains but also empowers youth to experiment and innovate with confidence. “The goal is to make the learning experience feel like an adventure,” Leong says. “And through this, they learn to overcome obstacles and create solutions with a sense of purpose and creativity.”
The Formula for Success in a VUCA World
In the context of a VUCA world, Leong has developed what he calls “The Formula” for maximizing success and fulfillment. This formula, which he applies both personally and professionally, is grounded in three key principles: humility, antifragility, and moonshots.
- Humility – Leong emphasizes the importance of reflecting with humility, learning from mistakes, and ensuring that one’s actions don’t harm others.
- Antifragility – In a world where setbacks are inevitable, Leong teaches youth how to turn short-term pain into long-term success by adopting a mindset of resilience.
- Moonshot – Finally, Leong advocates for thinking big and pursuing ambitious goals that can bring revolutionary change, benefiting not just oneself but society as a whole.
Generative AI and the Future of Careers
As a forward-thinking coach, Leong has embraced generative AI as a powerful tool for youth development. “Generative AI can help youth understand their unique strengths and skills while guiding them towards sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s problems,” Leong notes. However, he also cautions against blindly trusting AI. It’s crucial, he asserts, for youth to learn how to use their discernment and empathy to complement AI’s capabilities in creating human-centered solutions.
Leong practices what he preaches, actively experimenting with generative AI tools to empower human potential. His work has attracted the attention of governmental ministries and major tech companies, positioning him as a leader in this emerging field. By integrating AI into his coaching, Leong is helping youth stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
A Legacy of Empowerment
As Leong looks toward the future, his mission remains clear: to accelerate life skills development and empower youth to thrive in a post-pandemic world. Grit, foresight, and the ability to navigate a complex and unpredictable world are the critical skills he believes will help youth succeed in the years to come. Leong’s legacy is one of giving youth the tools to not only survive but to thrive – to become leaders who will shape the world for the better.
“Your mentors walked so you could run,” Leong reflects, “and you run so those after you can fly.”
For young leaders aspiring to create their own impact, Leong’s advice is simple yet profound: “Be foresightful like a general, and also empathetic like a superhumanitarian. Always remember to be grateful for those who helped you along the way.”
Leong’s journey from a struggling youth to a worldbuilder and mentor is a testament to the power of resilience, self-awareness, and intentional living. As he continues to shape the futures of youth in Singapore and beyond, one can only imagine the far-reaching impact of his work.
