Top 17 Mental Health, Resilience & Wellbeing Speakers in 2026

Sophia Hayes Official Author Picture
Sales Director
12 minutes to read
Mental resilience

Mental health, resilience, and emotional wellbeing advocates are among the most popular speakers for 2026, thanks to their professional insight and empowering messages. Global and economic tensions have left millions of employees struggling with their mental health, making these experts in high demand on the corporate speaking circuit. In a recent study, it was even found that 20% of all sickness days in the UK are due to anxiety and depression, emphasising the importance of creating safe spaces in which people can openly discuss mental health and wellbeing.

Who are the Most Popular Mental Health Speakers Available to Book?

At The Motivational Speakers Agency, we have worked with countless wellbeing advocates and experts. This exclusive selection of the most popular mental health, resilience and wellbeing speakers was handpicked by Sophia Hayes, as confirmed by exclusive, vetted data from over 327 events between 2023 and 2025.

The no.1 top mental health, resilience and wellbeing speaker has been revealed as Sir Steve Redgrave, who received an incredible 9.8/10 official client rating for his thought-provoking keynote speeches on resilience! Discover which other mental health, resilience and wellbeing speakers are joining Steve in this exclusive line-up:

1.) Sir Steve Redgrave

Sir Steve Redgrave's Official Client Rating ~ 9.8/10

Sir Steve Redgrave Official Mental Resilience Speaker for Hire

Sir Steve Redgrave is hired as a leading speaker on resilience and wellbeing because he combines unmatched sporting success with genuine adversity. A five-time Olympic champion, he sustained elite performance over 16 years while managing diabetes and ulcerative colitis. His story goes beyond medals; it shows how to maintain physical and mental strength under pressure. Today, he translates that experience into clear, practical lessons on resilience, teamwork and long-term wellbeing.

Official Client Feedback for Sir Steve Redgrave:

"Steve was fantastic! He went down an absolute storm - he was the highlight of the conference. His speech was very appropriate to the event, and he stayed around and took photos with the attendees. He was a really nice guy and very easy to work with." - Mars Inc.

2.) Daniel Fryer

Daniel Fryer's Official Client Rating ~ 9.8/10

Daniel Fryer official speaker on mental resilience

A professional therapist, Daniel Fryer’s extensive knowledge of Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy makes him a powerful mental health speaker. His discussion of work-related stress balances scientific study with relatable anecdotes, a winning combination that both resonates with audiences and leaves them with actionable takeaways. Daniel’s solutions-focused approach guarantees a lasting impact on attendees.

Official Client Feedback for Daniel Fryer:

"I can't explain how much value I have taken from Daniel's rational emotive behaviour therapy. It was so incredibly useful for me and just completely relatable. He has been amazing and has truly helped me to change my life... Thank you." - Former Daycare Patient

3.) Ross Edgley

Ross Edgley's Official Client Rating ~ 9.7/10

Ross Edgley official speaker on mental resilience

Ross Edgley is the living embodiment of mental resilience. The performance nutritionist and adventurer has travelled thousands of miles by sea, an achievement that earned Ross a Guinness World Record for The World’s Longest Staged Sea Swim. From dragging a MINI Cooper 26.2 miles to swimming 1,782 miles around Great Britain, Ross’ achievements reflect his vast knowledge of mental and physical endurance. At events, he conveys this understanding to audiences.

Official Client Feedback for Ross Edgley:

"It was absolutely fantastic, thank you! What a genuinely nice guy and fantastic presenter. Everybody really enjoyed it." - The St. James's Place Partnership

4.) Frank Bruno

Frank Bruno's Official Client Rating ~ 9.7/10

Frank Bruno official speaker on mental resilience

Boasting a 95% knockout-to-win ratio, Frank Bruno led a thrilling boxing career. Outside of the ring, however, he faced his hardships. Frank publicly battled bipolar disorder and was hounded by the media, which perpetuated stereotypes of male mental health sufferers. Now, he uses this experience to empower audiences and destigmatise men being vulnerable about their mental health.

Official Client Feedback for Frank Bruno:

"Just want to say a personal thank you to yourself and Frank for his work at the weekend. Without a doubt, one of the nicest people I have ever met, made the night for everyone and I can’t thank you enough. Everybody loved him." - Majestics Personal Training

5.) Luciana Berger

Luciana Berger's Official Client Rating ~ 9.6/10

Luciana Berger official speaker on mental health

In her former role as the first Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Luciana Berger improved the accessibility of wellbeing support in the UK. She is now Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, a position reflecting Luciana’s commitment to the quality of maternal support. Nationally recognised for her transformative impact, her public speeches explore the importance of open and authentic discussion of mental health.

Official Quote from Luciana Berger:

“The sad truth is that millions of people with mental illness suffer stigma and prejudice, especially at work.” - Luciana Berger

6.) Ollie Ollerton

Ollie Ollerton's Official Client Rating ~ 9.6/10

Ollie Ollerton official speaker on mental health

Ollie Ollerton faced great adversity while in the Special Boat Service, an experience that built his mental resilience. Despite this, his military career left him with debilitating mental health issues, which he overcame through fitness, mindfulness and working on SAS: Who Dares Wins, Channel 4’s hit show. Ollie shares his powerful story with audiences at events to shatter the toxic image of masculinity that so commonly holds men back.

Official Client Feedback for Ollie Ollerton:

“Just a quick note to say many thanks to you and to Ollie for helping us out with last night’s Business Awards. Ollie was great and very well received. I bought him a large glass of red afterwards and then didn’t see him again as he was very popular with those who’d attended! I’ll assume he survived! Cheers and thanks again.” - Hull Daily Mail

7.) Brené Brown

Brené Brown's Official Client Rating ~ 9.5/10

Brene Brown official speaker on mental resilience

TED talk speaker and emotional intelligence expert, Brené Brown, is redefining how we view mental health struggles. With empathy and understanding, she believes that humankind can come together to support one another, a powerful message that resonates with all in attendance at her speeches. Brené has lectured for Netflix on The Call to Courage and published multiple books, including Rising Strong, making her one of the foremost speakers on mental health.

Official Client Feedback for Brené Brown:

“Our session with Brené was overwhelmingly positive and our leaders commented on what a great experience it was. Our survey results indicated she received the best ratings for external speakers that we’ve had in the last two years. Her content is applicable to our professional and personal lives, men and women alike. Her message about vulnerability is re-shaping our conversation about what it means to be a good leader – we were surprised by how engaged and excited our team was about the message!” - Home Depot

8.) Dame Kelly Holmes

Dame Kelly Holmes' Official Client Rating ~ 9.5/10

Kelly Holmes, official speaker on mental resilience

On the Olympic track, there was no stopping Dame Kelly Holmes. The Gold medallist was a powerhouse of physical endurance, but off the track, she suffered greatly with her mental health. Now a podcast host and wellbeing advocate, she shares her story at events to empower attendees, leaving them with a new outlook on performance, wellbeing and the importance of self-care.

Official Client Feedback for Dame Kelly Holmes:

“Kelly did a fabulous job in delivering to the brief that she was set. She is so natural, and nice, that the messages she delivers (in her own style) really struck home and her frankness about her own personal journey added to this. The whole site was absolutely buzzing about Kelly’s visit. I have had dozens of emails and personal messages commenting on how wonderful Kelly’s presentation was, and her willingness to engage with people on site. There was one word that has popped up over and over again… Inspirational.” - Unilever

9.) Nigel Owens

Nigel Owens' Official Client Rating ~ 9.5/10

Nigel Owens official speaker on mental resilience

Nigel Owens is regarded as the best referee in rugby union, a title he earned from his sharp eye and integrity. Off the pitch, he struggled greatly with his sexuality and an eating disorder, experiences that impacted his mental health. Now, the award-winning LGBT+ advocate and speaker is using his story to empower others at corporate conferences and public events.

Official Client Feedback for Nigel Owens:

"Please can you extend our thanks to Nigel for today, everyone really enjoyed the session." - Merlin Homes

10.) Ruby Wax

Ruby Wax's Official Client Rating ~ 9.4/10

Ruby Wax official speaker on mental resilience

As a comedian, Ruby Wax thrilled millions of viewers across the globe, who gathered to watch her scripted shows and live sets. Now, she uses this comedic flair to destigmatise mental health issues, evident through her TED talk, What’s So Funny About Mental Health. Ruby instantly puts her audiences at ease, a natural skill that allows her to discuss sensitive and taboo topics at events, like her experience with depression and the secrets of wellbeing.

Official Client Feedback for Ruby Wax:

"Ruby Wax spoke with passion, amazing depth of knowledge and, of course, great humour about the pressures and pitfalls of the human mind. She was incredibly well-received by all who attended. I would definitely recommend Ruby for any event where mindfulness and mental health are a priority." - HSBC

11.) Dr Christian Jessen

Dr Christian Jessen's Official Client Rating ~ 9.3/10

Christian Jessen official speaker on mental resilience

One of the UK’s leading TV health care experts, Dr Christian Jessen, is an accomplished doctor and presenter of Embarrassing Bodies and Take Control of Your Weight. Dr Jessen himself experienced the devastating impact of mental health issues, having revealed his battle with body dysmorphia and self-image in recent years. At events, he opens audiences’ eyes to the effects of such a disorder and the importance of prioritising self-love.

Official Client Feedback for Dr Christian Jessen:

“You were fantastic to work with and we were very happy with Dr Christian.” - Allergan

12.) Martine Wright

Martine Wright's Official Client Rating ~ 9.3/10

Martine Wright official speaker on mental resilience

When a terrorist attack saw Martine Wright lose both legs and 80% of her blood, she stared death in the face and survived. Since then, she has invested her time and energy in sport to compete at the Paralympics in Britain’s volleyball team. This incredible experience built Martine’s unshakable mental resilience, a topic of her speeches that transforms her audience’s potential.

Official Client Feedback for Martine Wright:

With credible evidence, you have successfully laid the seeds of positive engagement and collaboration into the mind of these leaders which I believe is critical for our success. Borrowing words from our CFO, your session was of high quality and with the right impact. Looking forward to working with you in future.” - McDonald’s Middle East Development Company

13.) Jonny Benjamin

Jonny Benjamin's Official Client Rating ~ 9.2/10

Jonny Benjamin official speaker on mental resilience

When Jonny Benjamin stood on the edge of Waterloo Bridge, a chance encounter with Neil Laybourn saved his life. Since then, Jonny has become an advocate for mental health awareness, through his public speeches, published works and YouTube videos. With the intention of destigmatising emotional disorders and encouraging more people to talk about their struggles, his engagements leave a resounding impact on audiences.

Official Client Feedback for Jonny Benjamin:

"Please pass on our thanks to Jonny – his talk was great and extremely well received. I have done a post-event survey and responses so far have been fantastic." - University of Huddersfield

14.) Katie Piper

Katie Piper's Official Client Rating ~ 9.2/10

Katie Piper official speaker on mental resilience

Professional model turned public speaker, writer and foundation owner, Katie Piper has led a life unlike any other. She was a victim of an acid attack in 2008, which left her blind in one eye, but she chose to define herself by her resilience and not the experience. Now, Katie is the best-selling author and owner of The Katie Piper Foundation, an organisation that aids other burn survivors in their recoveries. At events, she questions her audience’s perception of beauty and discusses the power of self-love.

Official Client Feedback for Katie Piper:

"Katie kindly spoke at our annual Excellence in Skills Awards Evening, where we celebrate the achievements of our students, whether it be academically or personally. She gave an inspirational talk about overcoming obstacles and how the mind can be a very powerful tool in life.The room of over 300 people, students, their families, business guests and teaching staff, fell silent and everyone has commented on what a great, fitting choice Katie was. She was a lovely lady to work with and would thoroughly recommend her to others." - Peterborough Regional College

15.) Jeff Brazier

Jeff Brazier's Official Client Rating ~ 9.1/10

Jeff Brazier official speaker on mental resilience

Aside from his onscreen appearances, Jeff Brazier is a powerful voice on grief and loss. Following the death of his partner, reality star Jade Goody, he presented the documentary Superdaddy on single parenthood and published The Grief Survival Guide: How To Navigate Loss and All That Comes With It, a valuable how-to for readers.

At events, Jeff talks candidly about his experience to resonate with all in attendance. Audiences come away with a new perspective on grief, touched by the first-hand account of Jeff Brazier.

Official Client Feedback for Jeff Brazier:

"All ran very smoothly, and all had a great night. I’ve had a lot of positive response that Jeff is the best presenter we’ve had over the three years of holding this event." - intu

16.) Gareth Thomas

Gareth Thomas' Official Client Rating ~ 9.1/10

Gareth Thomas, official speaker on mental resilience

Gareth Thomas’ powerful speeches explore the highs of sporting greatness and the lows of hiding his sexuality from his family, fellow rugby players and fans. Since coming out in 2009, Gareth has become an advocate for LGBT+ rights – he even completed the Ironman challenge to break the stigma surrounding HIV. His autobiography, Proud, received the 2015 Sports Book of the Year, while Gareth himself was named Stonewall’s Hero of the Year.

Official Client Feedback for Gareth Thomas:

“Gareth was amazing yesterday, such a lovely friendly guy, and his talk was extremely emotional and powerful. We have had some fantastic feedback. Please pass on my thanks to Gareth, it was great to have him here taking part in our Pride events for 2019.” - Shop Direct

17.) Ronan Harrington

Ronan Harrington's Official Client Rating ~ 9/10

Ronan Harrington Official Speaker on Resilience

Ronan Harrington is hired as a resilience speaker because he combines lived experience with cutting-edge science to help teams perform under pressure without burning out. A former Futurist to the UK Foreign Office, he understands the forces reshaping business and guides leaders through AI disruption, market volatility, and organisational change. His Resilient Performance Method, developed with Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, is proven to boost productivity while protecting wellbeing. Known for his powerful storytelling and emotional depth, Ronan leaves audiences inspired and equipped with practical tools to create lasting cultural change and build resilience at every level of the business.

Official Client Feedback for Ronan Harrington:

"Ronan is a World-class resilience teacher. His ability to connect leaders to themselves and each other is rare." - John, Head of Strategic Relationships, KPMG

Hire a Mental Health, Resilience & Emotional Wellbeing Speaker Today!

To hire a top mental health and wellbeing speaker, simply get in touch with The Motivational Speakers Agency today! Contact us via our online form or call us on 0207 0787 876 to receive your free quote.

Sophia Hayes' handpicked speakers in this post are the most popular mental health keynote speakers to hire, according to exclusive event poll data at over 327 events between 2023 and 2025. 

Sophia Hayes Official Author Picture
Sales Director

Sophia Hayes has been an integral part of The Motivational Speakers Agency since 2011, bringing her expertise to the family business as the Magazine Sales Director and Sports Manager. Over the past decade, she has successfully managed Aspirational and Inspirational Magazines, which were recognised by Gucci’s marketing department as “the best independent magazine[s] in the UK”.

 

In 2013, Sophia advanced to the role of Head of Sales, and by 2015, she was appointed as the Sales Director. In this capacity, she oversees awards sponsorships, charity auctions and various sales channels, contributing significantly to the company’s success. Her work with motivational speakers across diverse industries, including adventurers and explorers, has been pivotal in organising renowned events that have earned widespread acclaim.

 

Sophia’s academic background includes a 2:1 degree in Politics and Business Management from Loughborough University, which complements her professional experience. She is not only a bright personality in the office but also a passionate advocate for mental health and resilience. As the agency's resident expert on motivation, mental health, wellbeing, resilience and emotional intelligence, Sophia Hayes plays a crucial role in shaping the company’s ethos and achievements.

 

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