Teacher, speaker and author Adair Cates is passionate about empowering others to shift from a life “in tension” to one with intention. She is energetic, engaging and authentic and shares stories, examples and tools to inspire her audiences to stop telling the story of “what is” and start creating the abundant and joyful life they desire. Her book, Live with Intention: Ten Steps to Creating the Life of Your Dreams, presents its readers with a clear method to create the blueprint needed to live a successful and fulfilled life.

Adair has been speaking to audiences since the third grade! Today she presents to groups of all ages and backgrounds, from high school students to non-profit organizations to educators and business professionals. Adair values clarity, appreciation and human connection, qualities that shine through her interactive and practical presentations.

Some of her past clients include: AmeriCorps, Banana Republic, JHM Hotels, Silpada Designs, Mountain BizWorks, University of North Carolina at Asheville and the North Carolina School Counselor's Association. She has appeared as a featured guest on numerous radio and television shows and continues to make regular media appearances relating her passion, living with intention, to many current topics and events.

Adair has an MA degree in Spanish education from Appalachian State University and a BS degree in Journalism and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has taught Spanish in middle school, high school and college for over five years. Adair is one of Bob Proctor’s LifeSuccess consultants (from the blockbuster movie and best-selling book The Secret) and has trained with many of the giants in the motivational industry.

Adair and her musician husband Chris are co-founders and owners of Synergy Shift, a company who’s primary intent is to empower and inspire others to live with intention, passion and purpose. They live in Asheville, NC with their two cats.