SEL Muscle Mastery

Six Tools for Building Resilience and Connection in Schools and Communities

"In a world that often feels disconnected, developing 'SEL muscles' is more essential than ever for fostering meaningful connections and promoting healthy relationships—with both others and ourselves. This book masterfully combines evidence-based practices and research to present six critical tools for personal growth. Lori Woodley-Langendorff draws on the expertise of specialists, seamlessly blending neuroscience with practical, actionable steps to help readers enhance their lives."

"In SEL Muscle Mastery, Lori offers a revolutionary approach to building emotional strength and fostering connection. Her six tools are not just strategies—they are life-changing practices that align perfectly with living your passions and creating meaningful relationships. This book is an essential guide for anyone ready to make a difference in their own life and the lives of others."

"With over thirty years of experience in education, I’ve never seen a greater need for schools to be equipped with tools that address social-emotional learning. I believe we have yet to fully recognize the long-term impact COVID has had on children, and how these effects continue to manifest even five years later. This book is rooted in solid research, with tools that Lori’s team has successfully used to demonstrate effective strategies and practices that can be easily applied in classrooms. I am grateful for Lori’s expertise and collaboration with our school, and I am thrilled that others will now benefit from her valuable insights."

"As a child and family therapist, I’m often asked for quick, effective solutions that deliver immediate results. This book provides exactly that—a practical, accessible guide to better understanding yourself through six core SEL muscles. The book includes relatable examples from both classroom and home settings, and it breaks down each concept into actionable steps, empowering readers to become stronger leaders, clearer communicators, and more thoughtful problem-solvers in their families, classrooms, and communities. Each SEL muscle builds on essential skills like empathy, accountability, and curiosity, offering tools that are not only easy to apply but also profoundly effective. By consistently flexing these muscles, readers can create lasting, meaningful change in their relationships and inspire those around them to grow as well."

“SEL Muscle Mastery is a game-changer for educators and parents seeking practical strategies to strengthen emotional resilience and create a more balanced life. With relatable insights and actionable techniques, this book equips readers with six essential mental muscles to navigate challenges with confidence and ease. It's a must-read for anyone committed to fostering emotional intelligence and well-being in themselves and the children they support!"

“Most of us accept the gloom and doom about our school systems: disengaged staff, outdated methods, and the countless safety concerns of students— and not just physical safety, but emotional and psychological safety as well. Instead of accepting the status quo, Lori Woodley-Langendorff has written a manifesto. These are the 6 Mental Muscles educators must build to not only teach our next generation, but also to have more fun doing it. Her ideas are battle-tested daily, in her living laboratory of storytelling, filmmaking, and creating movements with educators across the globe. If you got in the game to create safe spaces for your students to thrive, this is your book.”

"SEL Muscle Mastery is for anyone wishing to broaden relationship skills with young people, family, colleagues, and larger community. Lori Woodley Langendorff has effectively outlined what and how to strengthen our core communications and trust-building muscles. Every incoming teacher and expectant family/carer should be given a copy of this book!"

"These all-too familiar stories encourage educators, parents, and caregivers to NOTICE the emotional tyranny we unnecessarily subject ourselves to. Woodley-Langendorff’s 'muscles' empower readers with simple skills to CHOOSE and strategies to ACT, thus promoting harmony in our homes and classrooms. The author reassures us that although these muscles may not be easy to flex, they get easier with time."

"Lori Woodley-Langendorff's SEL Muscle Mastery is an inspiring and actionable guide for educators and caregivers navigating the complexities of social-emotional learning. With relatable anecdotes, practical tools, and a focus on empowering both adults and young people, this book delivers on its promise to foster resilience, connection, and growth. Its emphasis on self-awareness and modeling positive behaviors makes it a transformative resource for anyone committed to creating trusted spaces where communities thrive. This is a must-read for those passionate about impactful education and personal growth."

"As a school counselor, I am profoundly inspired by Lori Woodley-Langendorff's unwavering dedication to empowering others through social-emotional learning (SEL). Her book, SEL Muscle Mastery, introduces the transformative 'Notice, Choose, Act' framework, which has significantly enhanced my ability to support students' emotional and social development. By treating SEL as a muscle to be strengthened, this guide provides practical strategies that have elevated my practice and deepened my connection with students. Lori's commitment to cultivating atmospheres where individuals recognize their inherent greatness and the interconnectedness of our life journeys makes this an invaluable resource for educators devoted to nurturing well-rounded individuals."