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Speaker, psychologist & lecturer

Kelly McGonigal

Harness the power of movement to create happiness, meaning, and connection with Kelly McGonigal, speaker, health psychologist, and lecturer.

Trusted by Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, Best Friends Animal Society

Kelly McGonigal, Speaker | Health Psychologist, Author
Kelly McGonigal

Kelly McGonigal

Los Angeles, United States

Typical fee range

$26k–50k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Los Angeles, United States

Starting from

$26k–50k

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Kelly McGonigal's biography

At a glance

  • The latest science on willpower and the impact of movement
  • Her TED talk, How to Make Stress Your Friend is one of the 20 Most Viewed of all time
  • Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She aims to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies for personal well-being and community strength. Kelly is the author of several books, including the international bestseller "The Willpower Instinct," "The Upside of Stress," and her latest, "The Joy of Movement." Her newest book explores how movement is essential to happiness and humanity, arguing that exercise should be a source of joy rather than a chore. Through a blend of science and storytelling, she explains how movement is linked to basic human joys like self-expression and social connection and how it combats modern issues such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Her 2013 TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," is among the 20 most-viewed TED talks, with over 31 million views. At the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, Kelly co-authored the Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training and researches how social connection can enhance health, happiness, and resilience. Kelly has consulted for various non-profit organisations and industries, bringing evidence-based well-being strategies into workplaces, healthcare, education, technology, and community outreach. In her free time, she advocates for animal rescue and volunteers as an adoption counsellor for Best Friends Animal Society.

Kelly's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Joy Of Movement
Physically active individuals are happier, with a stronger sense of purpose and more gratitude, love, and hope. They feel more connected to their communities and are less prone to loneliness and depression. These benefits span all ages, socioeconomic levels, and cultures. In this talk, Kelly McGonigal will explain how physical activity fosters resilience, belonging, and meaning in life, covering biological, psychological, and social aspects. Attendees will learn why exercise enhances joy and social connection.
Why Stress Is Good For You And How To Get Good At It
Stress is unavoidable, but is it always harmful? Stanford psychologist and award-winning author Kelly McGonigal, offers a surprising new perspective, revealing the benefits of stress. According to the latest science, stress can make us smarter, stronger, and more resilient, and even strengthen close relationships. Attendees will learn how to cultivate a mindset that helps them thrive under stress and simple strategies to transform their stress response, improving health and wellbeing.
The Willpower Instinct
According to the American Psychological Association, Americans cite “not enough willpower” as the top barrier to achieving their goals. Kelly McGonigal of Stanford University, author of “The Willpower Instinct” and “The Neuroscience of Change”, reveals that willpower is a trainable instinct. She shares scientific insights on what willpower is, why everyone possesses it, and how to develop it. Attendees will learn practical strategies for enhancing focus, self-control, and overcoming common willpower challenges.
The Science Of Change
Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal, author of "The Willpower Instinct" and "The Neuroscience of Change", explores why change is challenging and how to succeed. She reveals that common strategies like stress, self-criticism, and guilt often hinder progress. Instead, she advocates for mindfulness, self-compassion, and social support as keys to lasting change. Attendees will learn practical, science-based strategies for initiating change, managing an overwhelmed brain, overcoming setbacks, and maintaining motivation.
Healthcare: Bridging The Knowledge-Action Gap
Stanford University health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, author of “The Willpower Instinct” and “The Neuroscience of Change”, delves into the latest neuroscientific and psychological insights on behaviour change. She explains the three facets of willpower— “I won’t” power, “I will” power, and “I want” power—and how they can transform habits. Attendees will learn why stress undermines change, how to foster control and hope, and strategies for enhancing patient compliance and behaviour change, making willpower more effective and contagious.

Why we recommend booking Kelly

Book Kelly McGonigal to inspire your team with cutting-edge insights from psychology and neuroscience. Her engaging talks transform stress, willpower, and movement into powerful tools for personal and community wellbeing. Elevate your organisation with her evidence-based strategies and compelling storytelling.

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Trusted by Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, Best Friends Animal Society

Featured Projects

The Joy Of Movement
The Upside Of Stress
Kelly McGonigal - The Willpower Instinct book cover

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Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

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Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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