In today’s fast-paced corporate world, wellness isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity. Companies are realizing that investing in employee well-being leads to higher productivity, reduced burnout, and a more engaged workforce. But as you may have already found out on your pursuit: not all wellness speakers are created equal. The right speaker can leave your audience inspired, engaged, and ready to take action. The wrong one? Well, let’s just say people might be sneaking glances at their phones.
So, how do you choose the right wellness speaker for your event? Whether you’re an HR professional, an event planner, or a CEO looking to bring real value to your team, here’s what to consider before making that booking.
Not all speakers deliver in the same way. Some are deeply scientific, backing everything up with research and data. Others focus on storytelling, using personal experiences to connect with their audience. Then there are those who incorporate interactive exercises and reflection points to make sure attendees don’t just listen but actually experience the message.
Think about what resonates most with your audience. Do they need hard facts, an emotional story, or something experiential? Ideally, a great wellness speaker will weave all three together seamlessly.
Content is important, but delivery is everything. Many speakers are experts in their field, but not all of them know how to hold an audience. A great speaker isn’t just informative; they know how to make people feel something.
Before I was a speaker, I was an actor—and that taught me just how important it is to not just share information, but to create an experience. I learned how to work with pacing, emotional highs and lows, and how to keep an audience engaged so the message truly sticks. Because, let’s be honest, we don’t remember the PowerPoint slides—we remember the moments that moved us.
While not all presenters have had formal acting training, some are more instinctual when it comes to understanding the impact of storytelling and body language. And those are the ones I recommend looking out for!
Inspiration is great, but what happens after the applause? A strong wellness speaker should leave attendees with actionable strategies they can implement immediately. Whether it’s stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, or leadership tools, the best talks don’t just feel good in the moment—they create lasting impact.
Checking a speaker’s past clients is helpful, but don’t just look at who they’ve spoken for—look at how their audience responded. Did they resonate? Did they walk away inspired? Did the company see a shift in engagement or well-being afterward?
I’ve had the privilege of speaking for big brands and Fortune 500 companies, but what truly matters is the feedback I get from the people in the room. It’s not about the big names—it’s about the big impact. A truly great speaker leaves an irremovable impression on an audience member that will percolate in their system for weeks and years to come.
Every workplace has its own culture and set of values. A speaker should be able to seamlessly integrate their message into the ethos of your company. Whether your focus is on high-performance leadership, psychological safety, or holistic well-being, your speaker should be someone who understands and reflects those priorities.
Every speaker has their own lens through which they view the world—and that perspective is what shapes how they communicate wellness. For me, my journey from being homeless, battling addiction, and facing time in juvenile detention centers has given me a viewpoint that's distinct from the typical wellness narrative. At first, I kept that part of my story hidden, unsure of how it fit into my professional life. But over time, I’ve come to realize that it's this unique perspective that sets me apart. It’s what gives me an edge in the wellness world.
Now, not every speaker needs to have lived through something like that. But they should bring a perspective that offers the audience something fresh—a new way of looking at the world or, at the very least, a different take on the topic at hand. That’s what makes a speaker truly impactful—when they help the audience shift their mindset and challenge their current way of thinking.
There’s one quality that, no matter the style, genre, or subject—no matter how experienced a speaker is—if they don’t have it, it’s very, very hard for me to recommend hiring them.
It’s passion.
If a speaker isn’t truly passionate about what they do, it’s going to be an uphill battle to engage and inspire the audience. Our body systems don’t lie. If a speaker is half-checked in, your audience is already checked out. It is very hard to be invested in something that the person on the stage isn't. And it’s very hard to pretend we’re invested in something we’re really not - so the speaker literally sets the stage for the energy and engagement in the room
So, when you're looking for someone to make a true impact, make sure they not only care about the subject but are passionate about delivering value to your team. That energy will be the differentiating factor that will leave people talking and raving about your event long after it’s over.
Hiring a wellness speaker isn’t just about filling a slot in your event schedule—it’s about choosing someone who will shift mindsets, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impression. The best speakers don’t just talk; they transform.
If you’re looking for a wellness speaker who combines science with storytelling, research with real-life application, and expertise with energy—let’s chat about how I can bring that to your next event.