Austin Walker, a Grand Canyon University (GCU) alumnus, has launched an initiative called Geared Up Youth to address the lack of practical life skills education among young people. The program aims to teach skills such as opening a bank account, understanding retirement plans like 401Ks and Roth IRAs, dining etiquette, and resume writing—subjects not typically covered in traditional classroom settings.
Walker explained that the idea for Geared Up Youth began during a conversation with a friend about what they wished they had learned in high school. “We made a list of all the things we wish we would have learned in high school,” Walker said. “Then we thought, how cool would it be to create a ministry or business to help these students?”
After graduating from GCU with a degree in sports management, Walker spent two years developing the curriculum for Geared Up Youth and another two years building the company. The program’s mission is “to raise up the next generation with critical life skills,” he said.
The curriculum covers areas including money management, career development, health and wellness, and various practical skill sets. Topics range from basic car maintenance to budgeting using the 40/30/30 rule—allocating 40% of income for necessities, 30% for savings, and 30% for other expenses—and understanding compound interest. As cited in his workbook: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.”
Walker’s educational background includes attending Christian schools before enrolling at GCU—a private Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona—which offers undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines such as nursing, business, healthcare, and more through both on-campus and online formats (source). The university emphasizes Christian values as part of its mission (source).
While at GCU’s Colangelo College of Business, Walker was named Outstanding Senior and served as president of the Sports Business Club. After graduation he worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being laid off during COVID-19-related shutdowns.
“It felt like the whole industry got laid off,” Walker said about losing his job with the Diamondbacks. “I grieved, no doubt… I realized… I wanted to be known for way more than my job someday.”
He later joined Cardon Development Group overseeing public relations and marketing strategy while also helping develop LOPES Academy at GCU’s Cardon Center—a nondegree program focused on academic and job readiness for neurodivergent adults.
Currently working full-time at tech company Gloo—which serves churches and pastors—Walker continues to run Geared Up Youth as his main passion project.
“I want to raise up the next generation better than I was,” said Walker.
Geared Up Youth provides its workbook through its website gearedupyouth.com. In addition to selling educational materials online, Walker partners with financial advisors to offer finance workshops covering topics such as Roth IRAs versus 401Ks. He is also pilot testing his curriculum in some schools and donates free materials to foster care programs and at-risk youth populations.
“We teach them a2+b2=c2 (in school). But they don’t know how to write a resume. They don’t know how to do their own taxes or invest,” Walker said.
Grand Canyon University has received recognition for its nursing programs as well as campus life according to Niche.com (source).
Walker says he hopes that by equipping youth with essential life skills early on they will face fewer challenges navigating adulthood.
