Nathan Showman

Welcome to the professional space of Nathan Showman, a dedicated leader, educator, and advocate for mental health and personal resilience. With a career that bridges service in the U.S. Army, academic achievement, and a commitment to counseling, Nathan brings a unique perspective on leadership, well-being, and growth. His journey reflects a balance of discipline, athletic passion, and a forward-looking dedication to supporting others through both education and mentorship.

About Nathan Showman

Nathan Showman is an experienced leader, educator, and counselor-in-training with a diverse background spanning athletics, higher education, and military service. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, he developed an early passion for sports, competing in cross-country, track, and baseball throughout high school, before attending Xavier University on an Army ROTC scholarship. There, he balanced academics with athletics, running competitively in track and cross country while preparing for a career of service.

Following graduation, Nathan Showman’s military service included time as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, where he served in various leadership and instructional roles. His career included multiple overseas deployments as well as assignments with U.S. and allied airborne units. He also earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University and later taught in the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

In addition to his professional experience, Nathan Showman has a long-standing involvement in athletics and fitness. He is an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a former collegiate runner, and an enthusiast of strength training, cycling, and outdoor pursuits. These interests reflect his broader commitment to health, performance, and lifelong learning.

Nathan Showman is currently pursuing a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University as he transitions toward his next chapter. He is particularly focused on advancing mental health advocacy and supporting individuals in achieving balance, resilience, and well-being. Outside of his academic and professional endeavors, Nathan Showman, ranger, is dedicated to fatherhood and enjoys spending time with his son. He is also passionate about travel, music, and community, with interests ranging from attending EDM festivals to exploring new destinations across Europe and South America.

Teaching Self- Discipline to the Next Generation: Lessons for Parents, Educators, and Mentors

In a fast-paced world filled with constant distractions, teaching discipline to the next generation has never been more important. Children and young adults are growing up in an environment where instant gratification is the norm, social media delivers immediate feedback, entertainment is available on demand, and technology makes convenience almost limitless. Nathan Showman’s military has revealed to him that the ability to delay gratification, follow through on commitments, and hold oneself accountable remains one of the most critical predictors of long-term success and well-being. For parents, educators, and mentors, the challenge lies in not only instilling discipline but also in framing it as a positive force rather than a form of punishment or restriction.

Why Discipline Matters for Young People

Discipline is often misunderstood as simply following rules or complying with authority. In reality, it’s a skill set that allows individuals to make choices aligned with their goals, values, and responsibilities, even when the easier option is more tempting. For young people, discipline translates into better academic performance, healthier social relationships, improved emotional regulation, and greater resilience in the face of challenges.

Research consistently shows that children who learn self-discipline early in life are better equipped to navigate the demands of adulthood. Nathan Showman explains that the famous “marshmallow test” from the 1970s, in which children were offered the choice of one marshmallow immediately or two if they waited, highlighted how the ability to delay gratification correlated with long-term outcomes, such as academic achievement and health. While later studies have nuanced the findings, the principle remains clear: learning to control impulses and stay focused pays dividends.

The Role of Parents in Modeling and Teaching Discipline

Parents are a child’s first teachers, and much of what young people internalize about discipline comes from observing their caregivers. Nathan Showman understands that consistency at home, through routines, expectations, and boundaries, helps children understand that discipline is not arbitrary but a structure that enables growth.

Model Consistency: Children often mimic adult behavior more than they listen to instructions. When parents keep promises, follow through on commitments, and demonstrate self-control in daily life, they set an example worth following.
Encourage Age-Appropriate Responsibility: Simple chores, managing small amounts of money, or keeping track of homework deadlines help children practice discipline in concrete ways.
Balance Discipline with Empathy: Rules without compassion can lead to rebellion. When discipline is framed with empathy—explaining the “why” behind rules—children are more likely to internalize the value rather than see it as external enforcement.
Praise Effort, Not Just Results: Highlighting perseverance and consistency teaches children that discipline is about the process, not just the outcome.

Educators: Fostering Discipline in the Classroom

Teachers and school administrators also play a pivotal role in shaping how students view discipline. Nathan Showman understands that the classroom is often where children experience independence and accountability outside the home, making it a fertile ground for growth.

Structured Environments Support Learning: Clear rules, consistent routines, and transparent expectations give students a framework in which discipline can flourish.
Encourage Goal-Setting: Helping students set academic and personal goals teaches them how to break larger objectives into manageable steps, reinforcing the link between discipline and achievement.
Teach Time Management and Prioritization: Integrating practical skills such as using planners, managing deadlines, and balancing schoolwork with extracurriculars equips students with lifelong tools.
Promote Collaborative Discipline: Group projects and peer accountability encourage students to respect not only their own discipline but also that of others.

Mentors: Guiding Discipline Beyond the Classroom

Mentors, whether coaches, youth leaders, or older role models, offer a different but equally vital perspective on discipline. Unlike parents or teachers, mentors often connect with young people in voluntary, interest-driven contexts such as sports, arts, or extracurricular activities. Nathan Showman, ranger, explains that this creates a unique opportunity to show how discipline applies outside of mandatory settings.

Sports and Arts as Natural Training Grounds: Whether it’s showing up to practice, rehearsing regularly, or managing performance anxiety, these fields reinforce the discipline needed for mastery.
Personal Accountability Through Mentorship: A trusted mentor can guide young people through setbacks, teaching them that discipline involves resilience and persistence when things don’t go as planned.
Encouraging Self-Reflection: Mentors can help young people analyze their actions and choices, reinforcing the idea that discipline is internally motivated rather than externally imposed.

The Balance Between Discipline and Flexibility

One of the most important lessons for parents, educators, and mentors is that discipline should not equate to rigidity. Nathan Showman’s military experiences have taught him that flexibility is just as essential for growth. Too strict an environment can stifle creativity and lead to burnout, while too lax an environment fails to prepare children for the realities of adult responsibilities.

Teaching discipline in a healthy way means showing young people that it is a tool for achieving freedom, not a restriction. For example, learning disciplined study habits creates the freedom to pursue passions later. Building financial discipline allows for independence and opportunity. Practicing discipline in health and fitness builds the foundation for a long, active life.

Practical Tips for Teaching Discipline

Start Small: Encourage children to take on manageable tasks that gradually build into larger responsibilities.
Use Natural Consequences: Instead of always stepping in, allow young people to experience the results of their actions in safe, controlled ways.
Incorporate Reflection: Journaling or discussions about successes and failures help reinforce lessons in discipline.
Celebrate Milestones: Recognize progress to keep discipline tied to positive reinforcement.

Discipline is not about control; it’s about empowerment. Parents, educators, and mentors who teach discipline effectively prepare the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of life. Nathan Showman emphasizes that by modeling consistency, fostering responsibility, and encouraging perseverance, they help young people see discipline not as a burden but as a pathway to independence, growth, and fulfillment.

The ultimate goal is to raise individuals who can guide themselves with clarity and resilience. Discipline, taught with patience and empathy, gives children and young adults the tools to do just that, building a generation capable of facing the future with strength and purpose.