Life is What YOU Make It
Born the eldest of three to Russell and Doris Lessor, I grew up in a small south city neighborhood in St. Louis. On the outside we looked like a typical happy lower middle-class family, on the inside it was a nightmare of alcoholism and abuse. I didn’t grow up privileged, I grew up making a decision to survive and be a better man than my father.
Life Gave Me Lemons
My story is one laced with beatings, drunkenness, divorce and abandonment. I will spare the details to get to the most important thing, the decision to take control of my destiny!
For me, the opportunity to get “away” presented itself when I turned 18 and graduated high school (barely). My best friend and I joined the United States Air Force. The military was easy for me; it offered structure and organization that replaced a life of chaos, I welcomed and excelled in my new environment!
Finally, I could make my own decisions, choices and mistakes! I COULD be a Doctor if I wanted to, even though my dad told me “I wasn’t smart enough.”
I Made Lemonade
Turns out once free of the abuse and chaos I discovered just how smart I am as my education and publications reflect:
- Completed my Bachelor of Artsin Psychology in 1994.
- Earned a Master of Arts in Counseling; Thesis topic: “The Effect of Initiation and Mentoring on Adolescent Boys” (Lessor, C., 1998) in 1998.
- Became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 1999.
- Published in peer-reviewed journal “Role of Deceased Mentors in the Ongoing Lives of Protégés,” Omega: Journal of Death and Dying (Lessor, C., & Marwit, S., 2000).
- Published “Saving Our Sons”-A Parent’s Guide to Preparing Boys For Success 2016.
- Graduated Doctor of Philosophy in Education with the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2017. Dissertation title: “Difference of a Counselor Facilitated Adolescent Boys Group on Behavior” (Lessor, 2017).
- Published “Generation of Men”-How to raise your son to be a healthy man among men 2019.
I am a proud patriot and retired USAF Captain, with multiple military awards and recognitions.
A member of the White House Council on Men and Boys steering committee since 2019.
Living My Mission
To Create Healthy Lifestyles by Teaching, Facilitating, Research, Writing, and Example
Over 20 years ago I opened my private counseling practice in St. Louis. I developed and began facilitating a highly successful program called The Quest Project®. Since that time I have facilitated 2000+ male adolescents on a Modern-Day Rite of Passage™ to grow, heal and become responsible young men. I’m good at it; I know how to quickly uncover and get to the wound an adolescent boy carries. And I know firsthand just how important it is for a young man to get his life back!
You can find an abundance of knowledge, insight and parenting tips in my weekly blog publications on The Quest Project website. And…this year I will launch The Quest Project Online in order to reach male adolescents everywhere struggling to become the men they want to be.
Providing balance to this incredible life I lead through service; I founded a not for profit called Charity Patch in 2013. Charity Patch is an urban garden providing over 2000lbs. fresh produce annually to local food pantries. There is no greater reward than giving back and helping those less fortunate!
Proud to say this is MY life and how I live it!
Latest posts by Clayton Lessor (see all)
- Cleaning Up Unfinished Business! - September 11, 2021
- Introducing-Adult Quest! - July 13, 2021
- Founder of The Quest Project®-Dr. Clay - April 3, 2021
