James "Jeimzu" Ballou grew up in Davenport, Iowa. At three, his mother abandoned the family leaving James and his two older brothers with their father who was deeply involved in criminal activity and drug use. In the small house near the Mississippi River James learned to survive in the midst of drive-by shootings, illicit drug use, neglect and abuse. Surrounded by misery and pain James was given a firsthand lesson on CHOICE and the terrible repercussions that stem from failing to understand that one word. At fifteen, his father died forcing James to live with his estranged mother. It became immediately clear that the choices his mother had made during her long absence were very similar to the choices his father had made. At seventeen James left home, graduated from high school and joined the US Coast Guard. Following his military service James went on to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix and then completed a doctorate from Century University.
James describes his most important role as husband to April, his wife of nearly twenty years and of father to his four sons. James lives in West Haven, UT and writes extensively for a number of online publishers and specializes in the fields of online education, alternative medicine and dietary supplements. He believes that each person has the ability to change his or her life for the better by taking responsibility for their choices and not settling for the outcomes dictated by circumstance. His involvement in helping people make more informed choices is the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition and a testament to the positive outcomes that are yielded from making good choices rather than succumbing to outcomes dictated by circumstance.
Instructional Design – Franklin Covey
Advanced Design Principles – Shipley Associates
Course Design Mastery – Discover Card
University of Phoenix Online Instructor Certification (13 week course)
Pinnacle of Excellence Award - 1997
Excellence Award - 1997
Excellence Award - 1996
Top Team Leader - 1996
Certified Nutritional Herbalist – School of Natural Healing
Certified Family Herbalist – School of Natural Healing