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Our Mission
Our mission is to inspire kids to discover their passion and build belief in themselves through hard work, determination, and, importantly, resilience to reach their dreams. In addition, encourage parents to show enthusiasm for their children’s passion and support them throughout the journey.
In today’s society, parents, peers, and social media often pressure young people, especially in sports, to pursue a single path they believe leads to success. This pressure can lead to burnout, low self-esteem, and disappointment. Young athletes frequently lose the joy and motivation essential for thriving when they follow a path without genuine inner passion.
Our mission highlights the importance of passion, balance, and self-driven goals, empowering kids to define their own versions of success.
Why Athletes Support Our Mission
Athletes are at the heart of what we do, generously sharing their personal experiences and inspiring the authentic stories of Grit Pile Kidz. Through book signings, school Q&A sessions, fireside chats, and local GPK events, these incredible individuals connect with kids in meaningful ways, offering guidance and encouragement drawn from their own journeys.
As former NHL defenseman Mike Komisarek says, “I support Grit Pile Kidz because it teaches kids the importance of resilience, determination, and finding their passion. This mission is dear to my heart because I know how critical these lessons are—not just in sports but in life.”
Former NHL forward Matt Moulson adds, “I believe my story resonates with kids because it shows that the road to success isn’t always smooth or straightforward. Grit Pile Kidz allows us to share these stories so kids can see that with hard work, passion, and perseverance, they can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.”
By openly sharing their personal experiences, and inspiring our stories these athletes bring Grit Pile Kidz to life, demonstrating that success is built on grit, heart, and determination. We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support—they are the backbone of our mission, inspiring kids to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.”
Who Are We
COACH PRESS (Greg Presseau)
Founder, Author, Chief Executive Officer
“Grit Pile Kidz is committed to encouraging kids to find a passion and use it as a vehicle to build their Grit Pile,” said Coach Press (Greg Presseau), Author and Founder of Grit Pile Kidz LLC. “Matt Moulson’s story is a perfect example of how dedication and hard work can lead to greatness, and we believe his journey will inspire children to stay committed to their goals despite any setbacks they may face.”
Next to his day job in the finance world in NYC, Coach Press has been working with athletes from age four to eighteen year sold. His primary goal is to build strong, confident children by using sports as a vehicle to teach life lessons beyond the game. He believes teaching kids to be ‘gritty’ must come from the child’s own passion for an activity.
After numerous conversations with current and former professional athletes, Coach Press realized that all the athletes were incredibly resilient more than they were ‘talented’. It was through this lens that he formulated the concept of a ‘grit pile’ as a way to articulate the importance of hard work and resilience to kids.
ANIKA CHARRON,
Co-Founder, Illustrator, Chief Creative Officer
“We are working on a series of books showcasing people who have built their Grit Piles as a stepping stone to their success in life,” said Anika Charron, Illustrator and Co-Founder. “The concept of the Grit Pile is transferable to all aspects of life, and we hope to inspire children to embrace their passions and build their foundation for their future success. If you focus on your passion the noise and chatter around you fades into the background. ”
As a former swimmer, Anika believes grit and resilience are the basis for any success in life. She graduated from college with a Master of Science in engineering and worked as an executive in fashion before starting a career in real estate. Throughout her journey, she has been an athlete. swim coach, mentor, and, most importantly, a dedicated mom to 3 teenage daughters.
Finding inspiration from her own mother, who emphasized the importance of building a positive and confident self-image with strength and resilience, independence Anika works to instill those values in her daughters and, more recently, in other children through her illustrations.
PETE COLLINS,
Managing Partner, Chief Communications Officer
“With Grit Pile Kidz, we are aiming to help young people identify their passion and build belief in themselves,” said Pete Collins, Managing Partner and Chief Communications Officer. “The goal is to unlock youth potential, grow confidence and improve wellbeing through consistent effort and a strong support system.”
As a former youth athlete, Pete put in the hard work in practice on the field and in the rink to enhance his performance. But some of the biggest lessons of grit, determination and resilience happened beyond the field of play balancing athletics with a summer job during middle school at Butcher Boy Market, which his parents encouraged him to take on. Operating a forklift, unloading pallets of goods off semi-trailer trucks, stocking shelves and customer service and deliveries all well managing athletics and academics provided life lessons and a foundation for success.
Pete went on to win state championships for St. John’s Prep, earn a business degree from Georgetown University and have a successful career as a Communications and Public Relations Executive. He also gets to tap into one of his passions and build the next generation of grit as a youth travel soccer coach.
what we do
What is GPK?
We believe that success isn’t about raw talent—it’s about the work ethic, mindset, and persistence to push through challenges. Every failure, every setback, every moment of struggle adds to your Grit Pile—the foundation of future success.
What is a Grit Pile?
A Grit Pile is every tough moment, every failure, every setback you’ve ever faced—and got back up from! It’s the mental muscle that separates the best from the rest. Champions aren’t born; they’re built through resilience, passion, and effort.
Independence Leads to Confidence!
It starts with independence—learning make decisions, and take action without waiting for permission. We believe that kids who take ownership of their journey develop the mental toughness and resilience needed to thrive in life.
We walk the talk!
We don’t just talk about hard work, resilience, and accountability—we live it. Everything we create, from concept to publishing, is done in-house with the grit and determination we teach kids to have in life.
Building Resilience!
Life isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about facing them head-on and coming out stronger. We teach young athletes that resilience isn’t just a skill—it’s a mindset. If you are passionate, you can find a way!
Grit Pile Kidz x Pro Athletes
We don’t just talk about resilience—we bring in real athletes who’ve lived it. Our collaboration with current and former pros gives kids an inside look at what it takes to push through adversity, stay mentally tough, and never quit.