About Gaelin Elmore
After a childhood filled with trauma, abuse, neglect, and homelessness, Gaelin Elmore believed that his issues would be solved if he became successful. From earning a scholarship to play college football to signing an NFL contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, Gaelin was driven, even comforted, by this assumption. It wasn’t until Gaelin achieved what he thought was “success”, that he finally realized he had been wrong all along. Gaelin then retired as a rookie player to begin his journey of self-love, self-discovery, and belonging.
That journey has led Gaelin to stages all across the country, aiming to inspire, encourage, and equip others to think differently about their work and its long-term impact on others. Gaelin’s story aims to erase the belonging gap plaguing youth with adverse childhood experiences to help them obtain a life of hope. Gaelin lives in Eden Prairie, MN, where he gets to experience the purest form of belonging, as a husband to his wife, Micaela, and a Dad to their two daughters, Laniah and Tatum.
“How different would my life and experience be if my foster parents, teachers, coaches, friends, friends’ parents, neighbors, social workers, counselors, etc., knew about the fundamental and innate desire to belong? How different would things be if they knew of the massive belonging gap I was navigating alone? How different would life be for the youth, you know?
The journey to helping youth with adverse backgrounds heal, love, trust, and reach their full potential begins with adults understanding the gap and committing every day to champion belonging. Only then can the gap be erased.”