The Top 100 Personal Development Speakers
- By Aaron Peterson
- Oct 31, 2023
Whether you have a company talk, seminar, workshop, or conference relating to self-improvement and personal growth, our top 100 personal development speakers help drive home what the audience needs to hear. They point out the most important aspects of improving one’s personal and professional life. Our speakers come from tough situations and achieve their dreams.
They provide the inspiration and motivation needed to take control of their lives, overcome hurdles, and live life to the fullest. Learn more about our best personal development speakers below.
1. Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins’ story of perseverance started over 15 years ago when crippling anxiety kept her from wanting to leave her bed. She also had a spouse and children relying on her. She went from being anxious and terrified to confident and fulfilled, and she loves to share her story and how she overcame anxiety to become one of the nation’s most powerful personal development speakers.
2. James Clear
One game changed James Clear’s life. He was in high school when a classmate accidentally hit James in the face with a baseball bat. For the next 10 minutes, he answered every question he was asked, but he didn’t get any of them right. He had the wrong year and president, and soon had three seizures and struggled to swallow or breathe. He faced a long recovery and had to take small steps in his recovery. It’s those small steps that led to his bestselling book “Atomic Habits” and helped him become an amazing personal development speaker.
3. Jay Shetty
While in school, Jay Shetty met a monk who shared his insights on living a minimalist lifestyle and becoming selfless, and it’s something Jay found fascinating. He followed Gauranga Das on the rest of his U.K. lectures and became a Vedic monk in India. He shares his experiences and insights with audiences and on his podcast “On Purpose.”
Marilyn Sherman has been in corporate training for more than 25 years, and she’s one of the top professional development speakers in the corporate world. She’s a firm believer that life is too short to just be okay. Everyone has the potential to become great, and she’ll help them get there.
5. Liz Wiseman
Liz Wiseman is the CEO of the Wiseman Group, a leadership R&D firm. She’s the bestselling author of “Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact.” Liz helps attendees understand how to understand their worth and make an impact in the world.
6. Daymond John
Daymond John knew he had a great idea with his apparel business, and he took out a $100,000 mortgage on his mom’s house to build FUBU. It was a huge success winning him more than three dozen awards including “Brand Week Marketer of the Year.” He’s also one of Real Leader’s “Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World in 2022.” He went from building a business in his mom’s basement to one of the leads on the award-winning “Shark Tank.”
7. Ed Mylett
Ed Mylett watched his father work incredibly hard to support the family, and Ed realized that if he had to work to survive, he was going to work for himself. He founded the Ed Mylett Show, a management consulting firm for the entertainment industry, and offers sound advice on being your best by striving to achieve your dreams.
8. Jade Simmons
She’s a concert pianist, Miss America runner-up, and author of “Audacious Prayers For World Changers,” a book about thinking big to become everything you want. Jade Simmons hosts “Decomposed,” a podcast ranked “Best” by BBC America, Esquire, Indie Wire, and Time Magazine. Her personal development presentations pair music and key insights in ways that the audience doesn’t forget.
9. Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta says his purpose is to help good people find their inspiration. He’s the CEO of RISE, a firm that helps people find the support they need for their mental and physical health. He’s also the author of “Everyday Dharma,” a book that looks at the impact of high-pressure lifestyles and why some thrive with pressure and some burnout.
10. Ozan Varol
“Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life” is the bestselling book by Ozan Varol, a former rocket scientist turned professor and personal development speaker. He’s come a long way from his days in Turkey when he didn’t speak English and learned it before heading to Cornell University at the age of 17.
11. Jen Buck
Jen Buck’s lessons in personal development are a bit different. Instead of using what you’re doing in life, it’s what you feel that shows you’ve achieved your purpose. Jen is a Master Certified Trainer, Certified Professional Coach, and founder of an online learning academy for women. She’s a master when it comes to how to “Make Shi(f)t Happen.”
12. Vishen Lakhiani
Vishen Lakhiani is the founder of the online personal growth education company called Mindvalley. He grew up in Malaysia in what he felt was a forgettable school experience as a child, but he dreamt of going to the U.S. for college. The University of Michigan accepted him into the Electrical and Computer Engineering program. He struggled as the education system didn’t click with him. That’s what led to him forming Mindvalley University. He believes that you have the power to improve yourself. It’s all about finding what works for you.
13. Alan Stein Jr.
Alan Stein, Jr. is a long-time basketball performance coach, and he’s helped many NBA superstars with self-improvement. He transfers those skills to the corporate world where he trains business leaders and employees to achieve success by “Raising Your Game.”
Nothing slows Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour down. She was the first Black female combat pilot and became a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon. After retiring from the military, she entered the private sector as a consultant and entrepreneur. Ask her about her book “Zero to Breakthrough, The 7-Step, Battle-tested Method for Accomplishing Goals That Matter” and her “Zero to Breakthrough™ Success Model for personal development.
15. Erik Qualman
Erik Qualman is a bestselling author of “Socialnomics,” who was voted the “2 nd Most Likable Author in the World.” When it comes to personal development presentations and keynotes, his popular talks include “Digital Transformation: Design Your Future” and “Digital Leadership: The 5 Simple Habits of Digital Leaders.” He never stops striving for new things, and in 2021, he was the first male speaker to address the “Indy Women in Tech Summit” audience.
16. Kim Perell
Kim Perell is the author of “The Execution Factor: The One Skill That Drives Success” and “Jump: Dare to Do What Scares You in Business and In Life.” She’s learned these important lessons through her career as a business executive and founder of her own companies. She’s the founder of 100.co, a branding and product development firm that uses AI for analytics. Kim loves helping other women entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.
17. Tarek El Moussa
Tarek El Moussa was the host of “Flip or Flop,” a real estate show with a large audience on HGTV. The show went on for 10 seasons, and it was during this show that a viewer noticed a lump on his throat. It was that viewer’s sharp eye that led to Tarek’s diagnosis of cancer. His cancer went into remission in 2014. Several years later, he remarried Heather Rae Young, a real estate agent from another TV show “Selling Sunset.” The two started a new show “The Flipping El Moussas.” He’s gone through some ups and downs, but he doesn’t let it stop him. He continues to do more, try new things, and never lose sight of the things that matter the most. He’s an excellent speaker on rolling with whatever life throws at you.
18. Anthony Trucks
Anthony Trucks has overcome several things in his life, and he learned to adjust to changes to achieve his goals. He doesn’t believe anyone should settle. He was in foster care at the age of three, adopted into an all-white family at 14, and in the NFL as a young adult, but his career ended when he suffered a severe shoulder injury in a pre-season game. It didn’t stop him, he opened his own gym but ended up bankrupt and considered suicide. Instead, he’s become an inspiration and shares his motivational story with audiences of all sizes.
19. Michelle Poler
Michelle Poler is the founder of Hello Fears, a social movement helping others achieve their full potential. As a motivational speaker, she has a wealth of experience talking at Google, Microsoft, Netflix, TEDx, and so many others. When it comes to facing fears and achieving your dreams, Michelle is the person you want to help you get there.
20. Steve Rizzo
In high school, Steve Rizzo’s guidance counselor told him he wasn’t smart enough to go to college. He was voted “Least Likely to Succeed.” He’s proved everyone wrong by getting his teaching degree and going back to his high school to teach English. He’s also a popular headline comedian and Showtime Comedy All-Star, but he left that to become a personal development speaker to show others how to achieve success.
21. Lavinia Errico
She’s the creator of the Inside Out Movement, a movement where you look inside yourself and start your self-improvement journey from the inside out. Lavinia Errico had to figure out her values and how to live a value-grounded life before she could be competitive in her career. Without a solid grounding in who you are morally and emotionally, it’s impossible to live a fulfilled life.
22. Bart Berkey
Bart Berkey spent his days recruiting employees for the Ritz-Carlton. Through that, he learned that very few people understood the aspects of being a good job candidate. That led to his book “Most People Don’t,” and the power of being the person who will do things that others only talk about doing. That’s what it takes to succeed in life and work, and he shares the stories of what he’s seen with his audiences.
23. Lewis Howes
As a kid, Lewis Howes was bullied, sexually abused, and diagnosed with a learning disability. He ended up injured and living on his sister’s sofa. He overcame it all and wrote “The School of Greatness.” He hosts “The School of Greatness” podcast, which has had more than 100 million downloads since its start. Learn how to “Unleash Your Greatness” during his personal development talk.
24. Alex Banayan
For seven years, Alex Banayan went on a quest to uncover what a successful mindset looked like. He turned that quest into his bestselling “The Third Door.” He’s an expert in personal development and high performance in work and life.
25. Ryan Harris
Ryan Harris is a former NFL player and Super Bowl 50 champion. He was drafted in the 2007 NFL draft and had a good first season, but his next season was cut short when he dislocated two toes. Two years later, he had to undergo back surgery. Several years and his Super Bowl 50 win followed, but he ended up with a shin injury in 2016 and retired in 2017. Through it all, he continued to work hard and achieve all he could through a focus on personal and professional development. He shares his experience on the field and as a host of “Fantasy Football Hour.”
26. Colette Carlson
Colette Carlson has a Master’s in Human Behavior and more than 20 years in personal development and communication. Some of her popular speaking topics include “Connection Culture,” “Women Leading With Impact,” and “Connected Conversations.” She uses humor to help her audiences understand how to problem-solve, form positive relationships, and advocate for themselves.
27. Rick Stevenson
Rick Stevenson uses his StoryQ method to help improve emotional intelligence. He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy and is an expert in self-discovery and empowerment. Among his speaking topics are “Unleashing Your Emotional Immune System” and “IQ vs. EQ: If Knowledge is Power, Self-Knowledge is Superpower.”
28. John Coyle
He’s an Olympic medalist, Fortune 500 executive, and sports analyst with expertise in resiliency. John Coyle is the author of “Counterclockwise: Designing Endless Summers” and an expert in personal growth, even if it’s done in less conventional ways. When COVID-19 hit, he decided to sell a lot of his items and travel the country in an RV. His stories and the lessons he’s learned along the way make for fantastic talks on self-discovery and personal development.
29. Sam Silverstein
Sam Silverstein strives to help people learn how to be accountable and transform how they work. It’s all about self-improvement in order to thrive. He founded The Accountability Institute and the Certified Accountability Advisor, and wrote “I Am Accountable,” a book about holding yourself accountable for your development and growth.
30. Valorie Burton
The power of positive thinking is an important part of self-growth and development. Valorie Burton is a life strategist and CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute. She uses applied positive psychology to look at what happens when things go well. Her book “Brave Enough to Succeed” delves into her tips for growing in your personal life and career.
31. Drew Hanlen
Drew Hanlen is an NBA Strategic Skills Coach who’s helped many NBA stars improve their skills in life and on the court. It’s a business he built for just $265 in business cards and a lot of hard work. He bases his firm’s methods on athletic, personal, and professional development showing that focusing on all three core elements is the key to success.
32. Magie Cook
Dr. Magie Cook talks a lot about facing life’s challenges and not backing away from them. In doing so, you unlock your full potential and hidden opportunities. This involves optimizing your thoughts. She knows what it’s like as she had a challenging childhood as an orphan and had a chance to play professional basketball in Mexico, but a broken collarbone ended that opportunity. She didn’t let it stop her. She went on to found Maggie’s All-Natural Fresh Salsas & Dips. Book her to hear her story and how to stay encouraged to be your very best.
33. Tali Sharot
Tali Sharot is the author of “The Influential Mind: What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others. She’s given TED talks with more than 13 million views, and she’s eager to share her insights in behavioral economics, neuroscience, and psychology to help you rethink your strategies to gain the improvements you need to be happy and succeed.
34. Mike Robbins
“Focus on the Good Stuff” is one of the five books by Mike Robbins. He’s also the author of “Nothing Changes Until You Do,” and both of those are key components in his talks on personal development. You have to change your mindset to achieve greatness. He learned these methods after being signed by the Kansas City Royals and playing in the minor leagues. But, he suffered three arm injuries that ended his career before it truly began.
35. Paul Assaiante
He’s known as the “Winningest Coach in College Sports History,” having won 17 NCAA Championship titles. He knows a lot about winning, but he has a unique approach. He never focuses on the team, instead, he focuses on the individuals as they’re necessary for success. He believes “Life is like a spider web,” meaning all parts are connected and all must be tended to for success.
36. Brian Bogert
When he was seven, Brian Bogert was run over by a truck, severing his arm from his body. After more than two dozen surgeries and years of rehabilitation, he understands more about personal development than almost anyone. He knows how pain, both physical and emotional, keeps people from reaching their goals. Brian is a firm believer that everyone’s story is important and helps you better understand who you are to determine what you need to do.
37. Keelan Leyser
Keelan Leyser doesn’t believe in business as usual, as it all starts with a person’s true potential, and no two people are alike. He taps into the different layers of how you think to determine where to go from there. To grow and achieve your dreams, you have to ask questions, learn about yourself, and become empowered to “Reimagine the impossible.”
Tessa Todd Morgan is the founder and CEO of TRIESSENCE, a firm based on personal growth, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. When she began her professional speaking career, she worked with people like Geena Davis, Suze Orman, and Sir Ken Robinson. She’s an expert in helping people understand their barriers and using stress management techniques for growth, optimism, and mindfulness.
39. Jeff Henderson
Forbes calls him “One of 20 Speakers You Shouldn’t Miss.” Jeff Henderson’s specialty as a personal development speaker is to learn what to do when uncertainty reigns. He’s also a specialist in communication and knowing “What You’re FOR.”
40. Katty Kay
Katty Kay’s expertise as a personal development speaker comes from helping women develop a confident mindset for personal development. These are strategies she shares in “Womenomics,” but she also has “The Confidence Code, to help women realize that confidence is a choice, not just something some people have.
41. Brandon Steiner
Brandon Steiner is a motivational speaker using the lessons he learned as a kid. It’s a story he shares in “You Gotta Have Balls: How a Kid From Brooklyn Started From Scratch, Bought Yankee Stadium, and Created a Sports Empire.” One of his lessons is “Your first idea is not always your best idea,” and that’s an important one as it’s okay to fail. Learn from failure to succeed next time. He’s also a firm believer that you should never be satisfied, ask him why a mindset of dissatisfaction propels you to the next big thing.
Nada Lena Nasserdeen is the founder and CEO of Rise Up For You. She’s a 2x TEDx motivational speaker and Career Confidence Coach. She takes more than a decade of experience in education to help people understand how to become empowered and thrive in their careers. All of this starts through self-change, which is something Nada helps the audience move towards in her presentations.
43. Marques Colston
His dad died when Marques Colston was 14. As his dad played in the CFL, football was a big part of Colston’s life. After the Saints picked him in the 2006 NFL Draft, Colston began his NFL career. When they released him in 2015, he never signed with another team. Today, he’s an adjunct professor at the University of New Orleans and helps with Son of a Saint, a program that helps fatherless boys learn important life skills. Have him talk about his Creating Separation methodology that helps you overcome adversity to accomplish your personal and professional goals.
44. Dave Crenshaw
Dave Crenshaw was diagnosed with “off-the-charts” ADHD and took that as a challenge to be productive and organized. The steps he takes to stay on task, even when his general nature is scattered and chaotic, are things he shares with audiences around the world. He shares how to stay focused and productive in the toughest of times.
45. Tiffany Michelle
Tiffany Michelle has to keep growing and developing, it’s part of her life. At the age of 22, she was the first female on-camera host for PokerNews. Two years later, she was in the final two tables of the WSOP Main Event and was the Last Woman Standing when she finished in 17 th place and won more than $330,000. In 2009, She was on the only all-female team on “The Amazing Race’s” 15 th season. She’s gone from being a homeschooled teen to a WSOP Gold Ring winner. She has a lot of lessons to share with the things she’s learned in poker tournaments.
46. Gaby Natale
Gaby Natale is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author with a goal to help everyone awaken their “Pioneer Spirit.” She’s found time and time again that she had to prove herself, and she uses those experiences to show others how to be themselves while standing out. She’s progressed from a local TV show to becoming the only Latina in U.S. history to win back-to-back-to-back Daytime Emmy Awards. She’s an inspiration.
47. Ryan Berman
Ryan Berman is the founder of Courageous and author of “Return on Courage: A Business Playbook For Change.” He helps business executives and workers become courageous and seek out change, even when it’s uncomfortable. Using a step-by-step approach, he helps people figure out the right changes to make and how to embrace that change in a positive, effective way.
48. Asante Cleveland
Asante Cleveland played college football at the University of Miami and only made 14 catches, but his personal development in that time landed him the 2013 “Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player” award. He went on to play for the 49ers, Patriots, and Chargers. Through it all, he faced ups and downs, but he always stuck through the difficult moments. It’s why his biggest message for attendees is “Stay in the Game.”
49. Mark Mayfield
In his career, Mark Mayfield has dabbled in everything from livestock production to golf instruction. He’s been a lobbyist and nightclub performer. With all of his transitions, he believes humor is important. He’s the author of “Morph: A Guide to Accepting and Managing Change.” Ask him about his popular self-improvement speaking topics like “Find Your Day” or “People Power.”
50. Jonah Berger
He’s a Wharton School Professor and expert in managing change. While he works with companies like Amazon, Google, and Nike, his books “Invisible Influence” are just as helpful to individuals seeking a new sense of purpose. Not only is he a skilled personal development keynote speaker, but he also welcomes custom requests.
Deborah Jiang-Stein shares her life in the memoir “Prison Baby,” and she uses her experiences as the founder and CEO of the unPrison Project. She was adopted by a Seattle Jewish couple, yet she always felt like an outsider because of her multiracial heritage. Born in prison to an addict, the first year of her life was spent in prison. When she learned the truth, she spiraled into a world of grief, drugs, and crime. She powered through it and became one of our top self-improvement speakers.
52. Anthony Alvarado
Anthony Alvarado is a CCAR Certified Coach with 10 years of public speaking experience. He’s also QPR certified with skills to help save lives with suicide prevention techniques. Anthony does all of this with real-life examples of failure and triumph, self-doubt to self-awareness, and letting go of emotional baggage.
53. David Sears
He’s a former U.S. Navy SEALs member with experience overcoming unimaginable challenges. David Sears has been part of hundreds of special ops missions in more than 40 countries, including the planning and execution of Operation JAQUE, a successful mission to rescue Colombian and U.S. personnel held in captivity for more than five years. His keynote “Smarter Not Harder” is the perfect example of all David has to share on improving your life, whether it’s for business or your daily life.
54. Joe Robinson
Are you looking to reduce stress and find an optimal work-life balance to ensure you have just as much time for your family as you do your job? Joe Robinson excels at the art and science of productivity and effective work. He shares tips with audiences to help them work smarter, not harder. All of his keynotes include interactive aspects that drive the messages about finding yourself in a busy world.
55. Dave Sanderson
Dave Sanderson has helped more than 250,000 people in personal leadership events. He is a survivor of the Miracle on the Hudson, so he’s been in the worst situation and used it for personal growth. All of his bestselling books (“Moments Matter,” “Brace For Impact,” “From Turmoil to Triumph,” and “Moments Matter”) are great talking points on self-improvement and empowerment.
56. Antonio Neves
Antonio Neves says he “helps people ensure that their best days are ahead of them.” He realized his dreams had an expiration date and only he could act on them. He wasn’t living on purpose. He helps people recognize that problem and shows them how to reimagine their future and find happiness and fulfillment in their lives.
57. Britt Frank
Personal development is Britt Frank’s forte as a human behavior expert and licensed psychotherapist. She’s trained in Internal Family Systems and Somatic Experiencing. She knows that everyone gets stuck at some point and needs guidance and practical guidance to power through. Britt’s an expert in self-improvement topics like de-stressing, getting “unstuck,” and “harnessing the power of a micro-yes.”
58. Tricia Cullop
She’s the winningest coach in the history of the University of Toledo’s Women’s Basketball. Her accomplishments landed her a 2022 WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award. Tricia Cullop’s motto of “Invest, Improve, and Inspire” has helped her inspire players to achieve greatness and be part of a team invested in “whole-person growth.” She’s an engaging self-improvement speaker for any business, team, or self-help group.
59. Michael Ivanov
At the age of 18, Michael Ivanov vowed to never take the stage again and dropped out of his speech class. He’s come a long way as today he’s one of our top personal development speakers. Born in the Ukraine, Michael immigrated to the U.S. at the end of the Cold War and experienced severe depression. His life changed when he found a well-read personal development book in a library and used those tips to start improving his outlook. Today, his “Power of Belief” and “Change the Way You Talk” speeches empower audiences from all walks of life.
60. Drea Kelly
Drea Kelly survived marital abuse to become a “voice for the voiceless.” She champions domestic violence awareness and is known for her work as a dancer and choreographer as well as a reality star of “Surviving R. Kelly.” She’s strong and talks around the world about becoming empowered in order to find the greatest form of yourself.
61. Sebastian Terry
When his friend died suddenly in his 20s, Sebastian Terry did the one thing that changed his life. He asked: “Am I Happy?” He realized he wasn’t and came up with a list of 100 things he felt would change his life and make him happier. Those items included things like living on a deserted island, delivering a baby, and marrying a stranger. His life-changing project became a reality show and bestselling book. It’s also helping him change the lives of many others in keynotes around the world.
62. Tana Goertz
She was a finalist on “Reality Stars: Fear Factor” and “The Apprentice.” Tana Goertz learned that nothing could stop her from achieving her dreams. In her keynotes, she shares her tips on becoming unstoppable in speaking topics like “The Art of Being Unforgettable.” Learn how to use persistence, honesty, and self-assurance to become a success.
63. Lilly Tam
Dr. Lilly Tam’s work has her helping people realize that their self-limiting beliefs keep them from personal and professional success. When she talks to a group, she talks about the “6 Dimensions of Wellness,” aka the S.I.S.P.E.P. Method, which keys on Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Physical, Emotional, and Professional wellness. One of her popular keynotes is to “Bombard Yourself With Your Truth,” as self-positivity is an important part of self-growth.
64. Craig Siegel
Craig Siegel is the founder of Cultivate Lasting Symphony, Inc., a community that’s devoted to optimizing your importance to “uplevel all facets of life.” He’s the author of “The Reinvention Formula: How to Unlock a Bulletproof Mindset to Upgrade Your Life.” Learn from him and take his mantra to heart: “When you dive into all things possible, the possibilities of what you can achieve are limitless.”
65. Kate Duff
Kate Duff is a People and Culture Growth Expert focused on helping others thrive and grasp growth opportunities. Her passion is in helping others become empowered to believe in themselves and overcome challenges for a win.
66. Simon Mainwaring
Simon Mainwaring is the founder and CEO of We First, a consultancy specializing in growth. He’s especially skilled at helping business leaders achieve their goals. Book him for popular topics like “Lead With We” or “How Purpose Becomes a Force Multiplier for Your Business.” “Lead With We” is also his popular business podcast on growth and development.
67. Bert Oliva
“Make It Happen” is the message Bert Oliva, a human behavior expert, shares with his audience. He’s a corporate trainer, but his expertise can help anyone stop limiting thoughts and become self-fulfilled. He offers practical insight into conquering fear, doubt, and phobias to grow and live life to the fullest.
68. Ryan Campbell
“Bounce Back Better” is a message that Ryan Campbell shares. He’s a firm believer in resilience being the key to happiness, success, and personal growth. Ryan helps his audience find the effective tools to bounce back after a rough day, tough month, or difficult year. It all comes about reaching challenges and powering through them, no matter how tough they are. His insights are honest and emotional as he went from being a teen pilot to a paraplegic after a plane crash.
69. Steve Sax
For 18 years, Steve Sax played in the MLB for the Dodgers, Yankees, White Sox, and A’s. In that time, he was a 5x All-Star and 1982 Rookie of the Year. He’s the author of “Shift,” a book that outlines the things you can do to change your mindset and achieve success.
70. Daron K Roberts
He’s a Liberal Arts Honors program lecturer focused on rejection, failure management, resilience, and leadership. Through his course “A Game Plan for Winning at Life,” Daron K. Roberts teaches new student-athletes the skills they need for personal development and success.
Elisabeth Galperin is a productivity coach and trainer focused on helping people reach their potential in all aspects of life. She understands the risk of burnout and becoming overwhelmed and strives to help people feel empowered and in control. She uses The ASCEND Method™ to teach the foundations for success and personal growth.
72. Rashad Jennings
Rashad Jennings was an NFL running back for three teams. He wasn’t sure he’d get there as he had to transfer colleges in his sophomore year to be closer to his dad who was suffering from severe health issues. He went on to have a six-year career and won the Mirror Ball Trophy in Dancing With the Stars during his retirement. He’s the author of a motivational book, “The IF in Life: How to Get Off Life’s Side Lines and Become Your Best Self.”
73. Tony Hoffman
Personal development is an important framework for Tony Hoffman. He served two years for a drug-related robbery and came out of prison with four goals. He was determined to become a professional BMX racer, go to the Olympics, start a non-profit, and become a mental health and substance abuse speaker. His dreams have been accomplished and he travels the country sharing what it took to find the right path and improve his life.
74. Grant Parr
Grant Parr is a mental performance coach who’s helped Olympians, professional athletes, Fortune 500/100 sales professionals, and business executives. He’s the author of “The Next One Up Mindset: How to Prepare for the Unknown.” If your group needs help with a positive mindset, emotional control, and focus, Grant’s an ideal choice.
75. Shawn Conrad
Shawn Conrad is a “World Champion Rapper,” who has rapped with artists like Jay-Z and The Notorious BIG. However, this didn’t pay the bills, so he entered into the world of post-production sound engineering, on movies like The Matrix. When the recession of 2008 hit, he changed his path and entered into software development, working with companies like Coca-Cola. He’s ridding the highs of success and the lows of failure, and he’s taken each of these to learn valuable lessons and elevate his game.
76. Kia Christian
Her talent in helping people transform and thrive makes Kia Christian a sought-after personal development speaker. She’s a Jack and Jill of America member, advocating for the development and well-being of children. She’s also an advisor for Clu, which helps companies address blind spots in the hiring process. Kia has more than 25 years in cultural management, change management, and helping people improve their performance.
77. Brittany Bock
Brittany Boc played soccer for the USWNT and NWSL for seven years, but injuries and surgeries impacted her performance. She didn’t give up, instead, she became a licensed massage therapist who works with professional athletes and anyone who needs to learn her message of HOPE for self-improvement.
78. Emily Vavra
Talk about starting from the ground up. Emily Vavra was literally on the ground sleeping on her friend’s floor with no money or marketing experience. Yet, she dove in and became the owner of a 9-figure sales organization. Her keynotes have helped more audiences topping 12,000 people find the mindset they need to achieve success.
79. Chuck Garcia
Chuck Garcia’s hobby helped him achieve success as a Wall Street veteran. He’s a mountaineer who scaled the Matterhorn and Mount Kilimanjaro. He faces fears, overcomes obstacles, and reaches new heights. In addition to sharing his step-by-step technique for achieving success, he has a radio show “A Climb to the Top: Stories of Transformation,” where he talks about overcoming adversity to find happiness and success.
80. Matt Booth
Matt Booth insists that every keynote or personal development talk he gives should be interactive and engaging. He’s not a slideshow type of presenter. He wants you to think, take action, and remember the messages he shares. He has a Master’s in Communication and is a Certified Speaking Professional. Through the use of humor and wit, he’s a dynamic speaker who’s talked to audiences around the world about building a foundation of fundamentals before becoming a success.
After being hit in the head with a golf ball, Kathleen Klawitter suffered a traumatic brain injury that changed her life. She had to reinvent herself, including how to read, speak, and write all over again. That led to the development of her High Five System. She developed techniques to transform her life emotionally, physically, and spiritually. These techniques help anyone in need of a life or career transformation.
82. Kupah James
Kupah James has 20 years of experience in improving positivity, motivation, and fitness. He was a contestant on “The Bachelorette,” which makes him recognizable to fans of the show. Personal development is important to him, and he uses hard work, dedication, and resiliency to reach his full potential. He's here to share his expertise with groups of all sizes.
83. Marc Milstein
Optimizing brain health to boost happiness and productivity are two of the talking points Dr. Marc Milstein shares with his audiences. Using personal stories, human, and actionable points, he leaves his audience with the tools and solutions they need to improve their lives.
84. Adam Mendler
Adam Mendler is the host and creator of “Thirty Minute Mentors,” a podcast where athletes, celebrities, CEOs, founders, and political and military leaders share insights on their success. He’s a UCLA professor on leadership and has plenty of experience talking about self-improvement to businesses, non-profits, and students.
At the age of 22, Michael Burt became the youngest head coach for Tennessee. Eleven years later, he founded Monster Producer, a coaching program. His program focuses on personal development as a tool for increasing your business’s revenues. He’s a master at unlocking human potential.
86. Tima Deryan
Tima Deryan is the first woman from Lebanon and the youngest Arab to summit Mount Everest and to ski to the South Pole. She’s a skilled speaker in the power of a positive mindset for achieving your dreams in life and at work.
87. Lair Torrent
Lair Torrent blends Western clinical psychology and Eastern philosophy to help people achieve success at work, in their personal lives, and their personal and work relationships. He has a multi-step Training Series in Mindfulness, Performance Intelligence, Emotional Balance, and Wellbeing that covers emotional balance, mental resilience, and embracing failure.
88. Jennifer Burdis
She’s competed on American Ninja Warrior twice and is an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer. Jennifer Burdis is the author of “The EduNinja Mindset,” which covers the 11 daily habits people should use for self-improvement of their mind and body. By strengthening yourself, you’re in a better position to help others.
89. Jeff Wickersham
Jeff Wickersham created The Morning Fire™, a program that helps you overcome the cycle of doubt and negative self-talk that holds you back. He hit rock bottom with his marriage, his business, and his addiction, but Jeff knew it was time to start his story and find a new beginning. In 18 months, he’d turned everything around, and none of it was a quick fix. He had to train himself to be accountable and be consistent.
90. Michael Sonbert
He’s the CEO of Rebel Culture and Skyrocket Education and an expert in corporate leadership transformation. Michael Sonbert taps into his experiences with childhood anxiety that led to a life of addiction, but he overcame it. In his keynotes and presentations, he talks about what he did and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
91. Logan Sneed
Glioblastoma is a type of brain tumor that’s often terminal. For Logan Sneed, learning he had stage IV glioblastoma as a college freshman was devastating news, but he didn’t let it stop him. He refused to believe that even if he survived, he wouldn’t have the same quality of life. He proved them all wrong and built a coaching business all while undergoing chemo and radiation. One of his key points is “Can you find room to become happier, to enjoy the present, and to face the fear and doubt that has held you back?”
92. Joe Buckner
He was a homeless ex-felon and now is a community leader and in-demand personal development speaker. Once a drug dealer, Joe Buckner never lost hope and moved from his life as an ex-con to one where he helps others become inspired to fight for their dreams using his 5 F’s strategy: Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, and Fun.
93. Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a leadership development company that’s seen growth of more than 60% for the past four years. He’s an expert in “No-Fail Habits” and how to change bad habits to see the growth and development you desire.
Dr. John Demartini’s specialty is in human behavior. In his presentations and teachings, he addresses human nature and how to use the tools you have to achieve greatness. One of his many talks has been about the “Secrets to Self-Mastery.”
95. Bennie Fowler
The Denver Broncos signed Bennie Fowler in 2014, and he spent four years with the team, including winning the Super Bowl 50 Championship in 2016. While he’s an NFL star, his personal development talks share something important with younger audiences. You don’t have to be an athlete to be successful.
96. Tyree Washington
Life keeps throwing hurdles at Tyree Washington. His mom had a mental disability, leading to several failure-to-thrive hospitalizations. He found a home as a drug runner at the age of 12 but saw his best friend die. He made it to the World Championships, only to have his medals taken from him because teammates tested positive for steroids. His sister and her boyfriend murdered their daughter, Tyree’s niece, and he became the witness for the prosecution. He’s experienced so much, yet he’s always strived for “or better…” His talks are incredibly powerful and have audiences on the edge of their seat as they learn how he changed his life.
97. Mike Kitko
Mike Kitko holds an MBA and served with the Marines. He’s been in several executive leadership positions, but he never felt worthy of his success. It led to anger management issues and uncontrolled drinking. He realized his internal conflicts: Insecurity, Inadequacy, Insignificance, and Inspiration needed to be identified and correctly prioritized if he was going to find his purpose in life.
98. Dean Graziosi
The child of divorce, Dean Graziosi lived with his mom and grandmother until he was 13, and then he moved in with his father. Homelessness and frequent moves were his life. He struggled in school, due to dyslexia, and started a firewood business as a teen to help support his impoverished parents. He learned to fix up junk cars and bought a collision ship with his dad after high school. He’s worked hard, overcome obstacles, and proved that self-improvement is possible with the right mindset.
99. Mecole Ledbetter
Mecole Ledbetter specializes in talent development and motivational keynotes. She’s the recipient of the “Cartersville-Bartow Chamber Impact Award” and Georgia Highlands College “Excellence in Leadership Award.” Her audiences learn about how to change how they view daily events and focus on critical points to experience personal growth and development.
100. Christopher Johnson
As a child, Christopher Johnson was scared of many things, but he conquered his fears to go skydiving, rock climbing, swimming with sharks, and even fighting fires. He shares the methods he’s developed to help others become confident and reach self-fulfillment.
It’s time to book the personal development speaker that best fits your company’s or organization’s goals. All of our speakers have achieved their dreams and have a lot to share about how they got there. Use Engage’s platform to get answers to your questions and book our best motivational speakers with ease.
