Sidekick to Hero is an innovative online program designed to help teens ages 11 and up develop confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and essential life skills. Created by Joey Mascio, a former middle school teacher, counselor, and certified CBT coach, the program combines cognitive behavioral techniques, storytelling, and humor to engage teens in meaningful personal growth.
The program is structured like a video game, with courses called “Stages” that teens play through to learn new skills. These stages cover topics such as Thought Awareness, Thought Organization, Self-Confidence, Emotional Independence, Anxiety Management, Relationship Skills, Conversation Mastery, Purpose Clarity, Productivity, Goal Setting, Leadership, and Financial Literacy. Teens gain real-life experience through challenges, quests, and activities that reinforce their learning.
Sidekick to Hero includes a gamified course library, weekly live-stream Hero Training Rooms, monthly virtual hangouts, customizable avatars, leaderboards, podcasts, and quarterly competitions with prizes. Teens earn points and rewards as they progress, making personal growth fun, interactive, and measurable.
The program’s lessons are influenced by leading authors and experts like Stephen R. Covey, James Clear, Carol Dweck, Simon Sinek, Daniel Coyle, Todd Herman, Robert Kiyosaki, and more. These principles are presented in short, humor-filled videos and live sessions that are relatable and easy for teens to understand and remember.
Parents can support their teens’ growth by ensuring regular engagement, while Sidekick to Hero provides tools to track progress, maintain motivation, and foster real-world skill application. The program can also be funded through various state and charter school scholarship programs, making it accessible to homeschool families.
Sidekick to Hero equips teens to transition from “sidekick thinking” to “hero thinking,” helping them master self-governance, resilience, social skills, and emotional control. By combining expert-backed strategies with a fun, gamified approach, Sidekick to Hero prepares teens not only to survive adolescence but to thrive and excel in all areas of life.