World's Top 30 Motivational Speakers for 2025

Guru #1

Tony Robbins

tony

Tony Robbins is an entrepreneur, #1 NY Times bestselling author, philanthropist, and the nation’s #1 life & business strategist. He has empowered more than 50 million people from 100 countries around the world through his audio programs, educational videos, and live seminars. For more than four and a half decades, millions of people have enjoyed the warmth, humor, and transformational power of Tony’s business and personal development events.

Mr. Robbins is the author of six international bestsellers, including the 2014 New York Times #1 financial bestseller, MONEY: Master the Game and UNSHAKEABLE: Your Financial Freedom Playbook (2017). His most recent book, LIFE FORCE: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life and Those You Love, was released in February 2022.

Mr. Robbins is involved in more than 100 privately held businesses with combined sales exceeding $7 billion a year. He has been honored by Accenture as one of the “Top 50 Business Intellectuals in the World,” by Harvard Business Press as one of the “Top 200 Business Gurus,” and by American Express as one of the “Top Six Business Leaders in the World.” Fortune magazine’s cover article named him the “CEO Whisperer,” and he has been named in the Top 50 of Worth Magazine’s 100 most powerful people in global finance for three consecutive years.

Mr. Robbins is a leader called upon by leaders. He has worked with four U.S. presidents, top entertainers – from Aerosmith to Green Day, Usher and Pitbull, and athletes and sports teams including tennis great Serena Williams, UFC champion Conor McGregor and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Business leaders and financial moguls from Salesforce.com founder Marc Benioff to Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates have tapped him for personal coaching.

Mr. Robbins is a leading philanthropist. Through his 1 Billion Meals Challenge in partnership with Feeding America, Mr. Robbins has provided over 850 million meals in the last 7 years and he is ahead of schedule to provide 1 billion meals by 2025. Through the Tony Robbins Foundation, he has also awarded over 2,000 grants and other resources to health and human services organizations, implemented a life-changing curriculum in 1,700+ correctional facilities and gathered thousands of young leaders from around the world with its youth programs.

Tony Robbins’ coaching methods have been proven at the highest levels of success in every game imaginable. Tony works alongside business magnates like Danny Meyer of Shake Shack, Jenny Fleiss of Rent the Runway, Joe Gebbia of Airbnb and Salesforce.com founder Marc Benioff, coaching them to continually improve, innovate and grow. His work has touched the lives of top entertainers and athletes – from Aerosmith to Pitbull, from Serena Williams to the Golden State Warriors.

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Guru #2

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins is a serial entrepreneur and one of the most booked motivational speakers in the world. She’s the CEO and co-founder of The Confidence Project, a media and digital learning company working with Fortune 500 brands.

Mel is the creator and star of the Audible Original series “Kick Ass With Mel Robbins,” a first of its kind life and business advice talk show.

In 2017, Mel broke self-publishing records with her international best-seller The 5 Second Rule. It was named the #1 audiobook in the world and the fifth most read book of the year on Amazon. It is translated into 31 languages.

Mel is a relatable, no-BS expert on change, human behavior, and mindset. Her social media platform reaches 20 million people a month and her TEDx Talk has been viewed by over 16 million people.

Mel is also the subject of #MelRobbinsLive, an award winning YouTube advice series documenting life on the road as a female CEO and public figure giving advice, speaking around the world, and raising three kids with her husband of 22 years.

Mel recently launched her science backed productivity daily planner, The 5 Second Journal. The first print run sold out worldwide within minutes.

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Guru #3

Grant Cardone

Grant Cardone is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally renowned speaker on leadership, real estate investing, entrepreneurship, and finance. His seven privately held companies have annual revenues exceeding $370 million. Over $1B in internet sales.

Cardone is a savvy private multifamily investor and holds a portfolio of over 12,000 apartment units throughout the U.S. worth reaching almost 4.8 billion dollars.

He’s a CEO of seven businesses and founder of 10X Movement hosting largest entrepreneur events in the world. As CEO of the #1 Sales Training Platform in the World, Cardone consults with Fortune 500 companies and customers such as Google, Northwestern Mutual, Morgan Stanley, and more.

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Guru #4

Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. With a bold goal to help build a world in which the vast majority of people go home everyday feeling fulfilled by their work, Sinek is leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them. Sinek is the author of three best selling books: – The global best seller, “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action”, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller, “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t”. And his latest book, just launched September 2016, is the New York Times best seller, “Together is Better: A Little Book of Inspiration”. Simon has four more books pending, including “Find Your Why: A Practical Guide to Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team”, coming out late 2017. A trained ethnographer, Sinek is fascinated by the leaders and companies that make the greatest impact in their organizations and in the world, those with the capacity to inspire, he has discovered some remarkable patterns about how they think, act and communicate and the environments in which people operate at their natural best. He has devoted his life to sharing his thinking in order to help other leaders and organizations inspire action.

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Guru #5

Ben Nemtin

Ben Nemtin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? And a star of the MTV show The Buried Life. As the co-founder of The Buried Life movement, Ben’s message of radical possibility has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC News, and Oprah, who called Ben and his friends “truly inspiring.” An acclaimed speaker, Ben has keynoted business conferences and corporate leadership teams around the world, garnering standing ovations from Amazon, FedEx, Harvard, Levi’s, Microsoft, Verizon, and more. In 2019 Ben was named in the World’s Top 30 Organizational Culture Professionals by Global Gurus.

It all stems from a battle Ben had with depression over a decade ago. In an attempt to feel more alive, he created the world’s greatest bucket list with his three best friends. They borrowed a rickety old RV and crisscrossed North America, achieving the unthinkable. And most importantly, every time they accomplished a dream, they helped a complete stranger cross something off their bucket list. From playing basketball with President Obama to having a beer with Prince Harry, from reuniting a father and son after seventeen years to surprising a girl with a much-needed bionic arm–Ben’s bucket list quest has inspired millions to realize their true potential.

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Guru #6

Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk builds businesses. Fresh out of college he took his family wine business and grew it from a $3M to a $60M business in just five years. Now he runs VaynerMedia, one of the world’s hottest digital agencies. Along the way he became a prolific angel investor and venture capitalist, investing in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Uber, and Birchbox before eventually co-founding VaynerRSE, a $25M investment fund.

Gary also currently hosts The #AskGaryVee Show, a way of providing as much value as possible by taking questions about social media, entrepreneurship, startups, and family businesses and giving his answers based on a lifetime of building successful, multi-million dollar companies. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and SoundCloud.

Gary is also a prolific public speaker, delivering keynotes at events like Le Web, and SXSW, which you can watch on his YouTube channel.

He was named to both Fortune and Crain’s 40 under 40 lists in consecutive years, and has been profiled in the New York Times, Fortune, and Inc.

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Guru #7

Jody Carrington

Dr. Jody Carrington is a renowned psychologist sought after for her expertise, energy and approach to helping people solve their most complex human-centred challenges. Jody focuses much of her work around reconnection – the key to healthy relationships and productive teams.  

A speaker, author, and leader of Carrington & Company, she uses all she has been taught in her twenty-year career as a psychologist to empower everyone she connects with. Jody has worked with kids, families, business leaders, first responders, teachers, farmers and has spoken in church basements and world-class stages; the message remains the same – our power lies in our ability to acknowledge each other first.  

Her approach is authentic, honest and often hilarious. She speaks passionately about resilience, mental health, leadership, burnout, grief and trauma – and how reconnection is the answer to so many of the root problems we face.  Her wildly popular book, Kids These Days, was published in 2019 and has sold 150,000 copies worldwide.  Jody’s message is as simple as it is complex: we are wired to do the hard things, but we were never meant to do any of this alone.  

With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, work with major institutions and thriving clinical practice, she brings a depth of experience and insight that is unmatched in the industry. 

Jody lives in small-town Olds, Alberta, with her husband and three children (she had three kids in 2 years to test her own resilience) and leads the amazing team at Carrington & Company. 

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Guru #8

Dr. Will Moreland

Nationwide-In a remarkable trajectory of achievement, Dr. Will Moreland, a distinguished two-time Combat Army veteran, has emerged as one of the foremost motivational speakers in the United States. With a potent blend of military discipline, academic prowess, and inspirational insight, Dr. Moreland has captivated audiences nationwide and in over 50 countries, earning acclaim for his empowering messages and transformative impact.

Dr. Moreland’s journey to prominence is marked by resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Following a distinguished 8-year career in the U.S. Army, where he served with honor and distinction, being deployed two times. Dr. Moreland transitioned to civilian life with a fervent desire to inspire others and effect positive change. This led him to starting his own company, Moreland Training and Associates, which has been recognized as one of the top leading training companies in the country.

Drawing upon his military background and personal experiences, Dr. Moreland embarked on a path of self-discovery and professional development, earning advanced degrees in organizational leadership. Armed with a deep understanding of human behavior and motivation, he set out to empower individuals and organizations to unleash their full potential.

Through his dynamic speaking engagements, Dr. Moreland delivers compelling messages of resilience, leadership, and personal growth, resonating with audiences across diverse demographics. His charismatic presence, coupled with his ability to connect on a profound level, has earned him widespread acclaim and admiration. Most recently being named one of the Top 30 Motivational Speakers in America.

As a testament to his impact, Dr. Moreland has garnered numerous accolades and distinctions throughout his career, including being recognized as a Top 100 CEO in Arizona by Titan 100, for three consecutive years. This year, Dr. Will will be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame. His transformative seminars, workshops, and coaching programs have empowered countless individuals to overcome obstacles, set audacious goals, and achieve extraordinary results.

In addition to his work as a motivational speaker, Dr. Moreland is a prolific author, thought leader, and entrepreneur. His bestselling books, including “Leading With Civility” and “Happy People, Happy Culture” have inspired readers worldwide to unlock their full potential and lead lives of purpose and fulfillment.

Dr. Moreland’s ascent to the pinnacle of the motivational speaking industry serves as a testament to the enduring power of perseverance, passion, and purpose. With unwavering dedication and a commitment to making a difference, he continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to reach new heights of success and significance.

In a world hungering for inspiration and guidance, Dr. Will Moreland stands as a beacon of hope and possibility, illuminating the path to greatness for all who dare to dream and strive for excellence.

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Guru #9

Laura Gassner Otting

Laura Gassner Otting

Laura Gassner Otting helps people get “unstuck” — and achieve extraordinary results.

Through Limitless Possibility, Laura collaborates with change agents, entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and donors to push past the doubt and indecision that consign great ideas to limbo. She delivers strategic thinking, well-honed wisdom, and catalytic perspective informed by decades of navigating change across the start-up, nonprofit, political, and philanthropic landscapes.

Laura’s 25-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected nonprofit search firm, Isaacson, Miller, to found and run (and eventually sell) an internationally successful executive search firm which partnered with the full gamut of mission driven nonprofit executives, from start-up dreamers to scaling social entrepreneurs to global philanthropists. She is most recently the author Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life, which debuted at #2 on the Washington Post bestseller list, right behind Michelle Obama.

Through her own commitment to give back, Laura has helped build a local Montessori school, co-founded a women’s philanthropic initiative, advised a start-up national women’s PAC, grew a citizen-leadership development program, and completed three charity-inspired marathons—projects emblematic of her passions and values. She’s turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, a motivator, and a provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like.

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Guru #10

Peter Sage

Peter Sage is a well-known international serial entrepreneur, best-selling author and expert in human behaviour. He is a highly sought-after speaker and coach and has spoken on five continents, sharing the stage with the likes of Sir Richard Branson and President Bill Clinton.

Due to his depth of experience, teaching style and unique way of looking at the world, Peter’s seminars and programmes have frequently been ranked amongst the most impactful in the world.

In 2013 he was awarded the distinguished Brand Laureate Award from the Asian Pacific Brands Foundation for extraordinary individuals. Previous winners include Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, Hilary Clinton & Tiger Woods. In 2015 he was named one of the greatest leaders and entrepreneurs by Inspiring Leadership Now alongside Sir Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

Peter is an accomplished athlete having completed several marathons and the formidable Marathon des Sables – widely recognized as the toughest footrace in the world. He also competed at British Championship level indoor rowing, is a qualified open water diver, an experienced skydiver, national champion marksman and a long-standing member of the infamous Dangerous Sports Club. In addition, he has been patron of 2 registered charities and has personally raised over $1m dollars for good causes all over the world.

He is a global citizen and lives with his fiancé and 2 dogs.

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Guru #11

Jim Lawless

Jim Lawless is one of the world’s leading keynote speakers. Over half a million people on five continents have been entertained and inspired by Jim’s presentations and many more by his bestselling book “Taming Tigers” (Random House).

Jim acts as an elite team coach at board level and serves as a non-executive board chairman. He has advised companies globally on creating cultural change and elite teams. He has designed and implemented successful change programmes in companies including Apple, Barclaycard, Atos, Axa, BT, Aramark, Skrill Group and Badminton England.

He insists on testing his principles on himself before advising others, using “Taming Tigers” to become Britain’s deepest freediver. He is the first Briton to dive below the magic 100m barrier on a single breath of air.

In response to an audience challenge, he proved “Taming Tigers” by becoming a jockey in 12 months. At the outset he was 3 stone (20kg) too heavy and could not ride.

These adventures – and the lessons he learned – bring him and his methodology immediate credibility with audiences on all continents.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, qualified as a solicitor and practiced commercial law in the City of London and in a major IT company before founding Taming Tigers Limited (formerly “Optimise”).

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in 2008 in recognition of his business writing.

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Guru #12

Debra Searle

Debra Searle MVO, MBE, is a unique and inspiring individual.  She achieved a first class honours degree, has launched four companies, won Gold World Championship medals for GB, presented over 40 programmes for the BBC, had two books published, become the youngest ever trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and successfully rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  Her Majesty The Queen has recognised Debra on two occasions – in 2002 with an MBE and in 2014 with an MVO.  She has spoken at over 1000 events across 38 countries.

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Guru #13

Elizabeth McCormick

Elizabeth McCormick, Motivational Speaker Specializing in Leadership and Sales

A decorated US Army Black Hawk pilot, Elizabeth flew command and control, air assault, top-secret intelligence missions and also transported high-level government VIPs. Now, Elizabeth keeps attendees on the edges of their seats, turning her experiences into lessons that any audience can implement into immediate action.

An authority on Leadership and Veterans Issues with the media, she is frequently seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, in the Wall Street Journal and more. Her personal development book, The P.I.L.O.T. Method; the Five Elemental Truths to Leading Yourself in Life, is a “must read” along with her 12+ business books in the Soar 2 Success series.

Elizabeth’s many military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal. In 2011 Elizabeth received the US Congressional Veteran Commendation for her service to her country and community as a disabled veteran.

Elizabeth speaks at 100+ engagements per year and is an in-demand Leadership and Sales Motivational Business Success Speaker, bringing a celebrity experience to events. Elizabeth inspires audiences, sharing her pioneering and insightful aviation lessons learned in a dramatically memorable and action-oriented keynote presentation. As a premier leadership trainer and top performing founding member of the John Maxwell Team of speakers, she is a dynamic and energizing expert sought for events around the world.

Find out more at: www.PilotSpeaker.com

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Guru #14

Karl Lillrud

Karl Lillrud is not just a speaker; he’s a pioneer who’s reshaping the future right before our eyes. His journey is a thrilling ride through the realms of AI and digital innovation, taking us from the insightful stages of TEDx to the influential corridors of the World Economic Forum week in Davos. Recognized as one of the top AI Thought Leaders, Karl’s work is like a beacon, guiding us through the complexities of technology and showing us how it can transform the business world.

But Karl does something special: he turns every talk into an unforgettable journey. He’s known as an ‘Experience Architect’ for a reason. Imagine going beyond just listening to actually feeling the pulse of innovation and seeing the future of technology unfold right in front of you. That’s what sitting in on Karl’s sessions feels like. He takes complex ideas and makes them easy for everyone to grasp and exciting to explore.

Karl has this incredible ability to make everyone in the room, no matter their background, feel right at home with AI. He breaks down big concepts into stories and insights that stick with you, sparking that “aha!” moment. His talks aren’t just about sharing knowledge; they’re interactive experiences that get everyone involved, thinking, and even shaping the conversation.

Joining Karl Lillrud on his mission feels like opening a door to the future, with him as the guide. He stands at the crossroads of human creativity and digital breakthroughs, lighting up the path to a world where AI isn’t just a buzzword but a real force for positive change. 

A Celebrated Author: Karl’s prowess with words is unmatched. With 9 books to his name, his latest, “AI, Your Second Brain: Evolve or Go Extinct,” stands as a testament to his deep understanding of artificial intelligence. Through his writings, Karl makes innovation and business growth not just approachable but indispensable for navigating the future.

Voice of Innovation: The “AI by Karl Lillrud” podcast further showcases his commitment to breaking down complex topics into digestible, actionable insights. Each episode focus on answering one question about AI, making cutting-edge knowledge accessible to all.

Guiding the Giants: Karl’s influence extends into the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups alike, where his strategic guidance has steered organizations towards unprecedented growth and technological adoption.

Awards and Recognition: The accolades speak for themselves. His insights not only shape the present but chart a course for the future.

A Global Educator: Beyond the stage, Karl’s workshops and keynote speeches are masterclasses in innovation. Attendees leave not just inspired but equipped—ready to leverage AI in transforming their industries and the world at large.

With Karl Lillrud, the future of technology is not just exciting—it’s actionable, accessible, and unfolding before our eyes. Join him as he continues to explore, explain, and expand the horizons of what’s possible.

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Guru #15

Eddie Turner

Eddie Turner is an in-demand, Harvard-trained leadership development expert. Leading organizations that want to accelerate the development of their leaders to become more effective and profitable select Eddie Turner.

He has significant experience driving digital transformation, systems integration, and developing leaders at all levels of organizations. This includes major corporations like Pepsi, Deloitte, GE and Dell. His work extends to organizations such as Apple, ExxonMobil, the United States Naval Air Systems Command, the NFL, and the WNBA.

Eddie has deep expertise in multiple disciplines, such as professional speaking, leadership and executive coaching, and facilitation, as proven by his numerous industry credentials. He is recognized on global rankings, such as being one of the Top 10 Motivational Speakers in the world by Global Gurus for three consecutive years. Forbes recognized Eddie as the Preeminent Authority on Emerging Leaders. He is one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders in Leadership by Thinkers 360, the Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership by leadersHum, and one of the Top 25 Mentors on the Globe by the International Federation of Learning and Development.

Eddie, a media personality, has shared his expertise in national print, radio, and television media, such as the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, PBS, NPR, and ABC. He has also served as a national media commentator.

Eddie is a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches; the National Speakers Association, where he holds the coveted CSP® credential; the International Coaching Federation (where, of the more than 60,000 ICF members in more than 170 countries, he was recognized as “ICF Coach of the Week”); and the Association for Talent Development, where he is one of 60 contributing subject matter experts to the Talent Development Body of Knowledge—The Definitive Resource for the Talent Development Profession. He is an ICF Professional Certified Coach and an official ICF Mentor Coach, mentoring coaches to attain their ICF credentials.

Eddie is the author of the internationally bestselling book 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders and one of 52 coauthors of The Light Book 2. He is the former host of the Keep Leading!® podcast, which earned Apple Podcasts’ coveted New and Noteworthy designation and reached 80 countries.

Eddie studied leadership and organizational behavior at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.

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Guru #16

Carlos Siqueira

Carlos Siqueira has been transforming, motivating and inspiring millions of people around the world for more than twenty years. He is an international bestselling author, a top motivational speaker, a podcast host, and a life and business strategist who helps influencers, executives, sales teams, and CEOs achieve their goals and dreams.

With his superpower of understanding human behavior and mentoring others to greatness, Carlos has generated over a billion dollars in revenues for startups and Fortune 100 companies such as Xfinity. He was also behind some of the best coaches, experts, and speakers in the world, helping them craft their stories, land media appearances, and reach global audiences. Carlos is on a mission to empower people to face demons and struggles and live like a champion.

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Guru #17

Shiv Khera

Mr. SHIV KHERA based in USA,  is an Author, Educator, Business Consultant, successful Entrepreneur and a much sought-after speaker.

He inspires and encourages individuals to realize their true potential. He has taken his dynamic personal messages to opposite sides of the globe, from the U.S. to Singapore. His 30 years of research & understanding has put organizations on a path of growth and fulfillment.

Mr. Shiv Khera is the author of 15 books including the international bestseller “You Can Win”, which has sold over 3.8 million copies in 21 languages. His other books are creating new records. His Clients include Lufthansa, HP, Citigroup, HSBC, Canon, Nestle, Philips, Mercedes Benz, Johnson & Johnson, Metlife and many more.

Tens of thousands of people have benefitted from his dynamic workshops internationally in over 20 countries and millions have heard him as a Keynote Speaker. He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows.

Mr. Khera is the brand ambassador of Round Table Foundation. He has been recognized and honored by Rotary International and The Lions International.

His Trademark is

“Winners don’t do different things, They do things differently”®

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Guru #18

Sha Nacino

Sha Nacino is a globally sought-after keynote speaker who addresses today’s most critical workplace challenges: low employee engagement, quiet quitting, and workplace stress, all stemming from the Workplace Disconnection Gap. Her speeches deliver actionable, research-backed strategies that foster human connection, boost productivity, and drive sustainable results.

Drawing on her experience as a former Fortune 500 employee, Sha combines her insider knowledge of corporate challenges with her expertise as a business leader and global speaker. She is a 2x TEDx speaker and adjunct faculty at the Asian Institute of Management.

Sha is the creator of the Lead with CARE framework, a proven tool for building compassionate workplaces that elevate human connection, drive performance, and ignite limitless possibilities.

Sha’s Journey: From a shy, introverted non-writer in a third-world country to an award-winning author of 15 books, Sha’s transformation exemplifies the fearless possibilities she helps others unlock. She has coached over 200 aspiring writers to become published authors and founded the Global Authors Summit. She also launched virtual summits like the HR Summit Global (10,000 participants from 32 countries) and the World Gratitude Summit (15,000 participants from 49 countries), both showcasing the power of human connection to inspire collaboration and growth.

Sha’s work has been recognized by prestigious institutions, including the United Nations, the World Humanitarian Drive, and Toastmasters International. She was honored as the Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, received the Inspiring Humanitarian Award in 2022, and achieved the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation in 2017.

Fun Fact: Despite being tone-deaf for most of her life, Sha has directed and performed in 31 music videos, proving that when people feel seen and appreciated, they unlock endless possibilities.

Sha holds a Certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, and was awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation.

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Guru #19

Erica Dhawan

Erica Dhawan is the world’s leading authority on Connectional Intelligence and the Founder & CEO of Cotential.

Through speaking, training and consulting, she teaches business leaders innovative strategies that increase value for clients, deliver results and ensure competitiveness.

She is the co-author of the bestselling book Get Big Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence. Erica was named by Thinkers50 as “The Oprah of Management Ideas” and featured as one of the emerging management thinkers most likely to shape the future of business. She hosts the award winning podcast Masters of Leadership.

Erica speaks on global stages ranging from the World Economic Forum at Davos to companies such as Fedex, Pepsico, and McGraw Hill Financial. Erica writes for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company and the Huffington Post.

Erica also serves as a board member to Lufthansa Innovation Hub. Previously, she worked at Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital. She has a MPA from Harvard University, a MBA from MIT Sloan, and a BS in Economics from The Wharton School.

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Guru #20

John O’Leary

#1 Bestselling Author, Beloved Keynote Speaker, Adept Virtual Speaker + Live Inspired Podcast Host

Expected to die. Now teaching others how to truly live.

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live.

His epic story of survival has never felt more relevant, as we experience the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath. John‘s story, perspective and inspiration have inspired millions of people and 2,000 clients over more than 12 years – and continue to today through virtual keynotes, workshops and experiences.

John is the two-time national bestselling author of ON FIRE and IN AWE. Released in May 2020, many are saying ‘IN AWE’ is exactly the message we all need right now. (Early acclaim has allowed $30,000 in proceeds to be donated to support youth impacted by the economic fallout from the pandemic.)

John is an inspirational speaker teaching, 50,000+ people each year around the world and via virtual experiences how to live inspired.

John is the host of the Live Inspired Podcast with more than 1.2 million downloads and amazing guests each week like Brené Brown, Dave Ramsey, Joe Buck, Ozzie Smith, Kurt Warner and more.

Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” John’s emotional story-telling, unexpected humor, and authenticity make each of his presentations, experiences, episodes and interactions truly transformational.

John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

John would be honored to join your team virtually to shift perspective, refocus and unite during this season of change. Please email Heather@JohnOLearyInspires.com for more information.

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Guru #21

Don Yaeger

As a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, business leadership coach, a twelve-time New York Times Best-selling author, host of the top-rated Corporate Competitor Podcast, National Geographic’s “Storyteller in Residence,” and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, Don Yaeger has fashioned a career as one of America’s most provocative thought leaders.  As a speaker, he has worked with audiences as diverse as Fortune 500 companies and cancer survivor groups, where he shares his personal story.
He is primarily sought to discuss lessons on achieving greatness, learned from first-hand experiences with some of the greatest sports and business legends in the world.  Additionally, Don has been retained by companies and organizations to coach their leaders on building a culture of greatness by looking at Great Teams in sports and discerning the business lessons we can learn from them. In 2023, Real Leaders magazine acknowledged Don as a “Speaker to Watch” because of his success on stage. Throughout his writing career, Don has developed a reputation as a world-class storyteller and has been invited as a guest to every major talk show – from Oprah to Nightline, from CNN to Good Morning America. Few journalists can lay claim to as exciting and colorful a career as Don Yaeger. 

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Guru #22

Sara Ross

Sara Ross is a motivational speaker, author, and leadership strategist dedicated to redefining success in the workplace. As the founder and Chief Vitality Officer of BrainAMPED, a leadership research firm, she focuses on helping organizations and leaders reignite a sense of aliveness in both their professional and personal lives.

Through her dynamic presentations, Sara combines energy with research-backed insights to provide audiences with a blueprint for cultivating stress-resilient, connection-centered cultures.

Sara’s work has earned her a reputation as a fresh and thought-provoking voice in discussions focused on the future of work.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Sara is the author of “Dear Work: Something Has to Change,” a book that challenges traditional work paradigms and offers strategies for achieving success without sacrificing well-being.

Sara Ross continues to inspire leaders and organizations to create healthier, happier, and higher-performing workplaces.

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Guru #23

Steve Sims

Do you know anyone that’s worked with Sir Elton John or Elon Musk, sent people down to see the wreck of the Titanic on the sea bed or closed museums in Florence for a private dinner party and then had Andre Bocelli serenade them while they eat their pasta?

Quoted as “The Real Life Wizard of Oz” by Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine, Steve Sims is the best-selling author of “BLUEFISHING – The Art Of Making Things Happen”, sought-after coach, and motivational speaker at a variety of networks.

At a glance, Steve is a man who you’d probably avoid making eye contact with, but that’s the thing, despite his gruff exterior, Steve is remarkably open, engaging, generous, intuitive, insightful, and competent – and he’s built a remarkably successful entrepreneurial career.

Not only is Steve a badass author, he is also the visionary founder of the world’s first luxury concierge that delivers the highest level of personalized travel, transportation, and cutting-edge entertainment services to corporate executives, celebrities, professional athletes, and other discerning individuals interested in living life to its fullest.

In this episode of the Rock Your Money, Rock Your Life, Steve shares how he went from being a bouncer to catering for the worlds wealthiest people, a quote from his early years that completely changed his life, and why his book might make you mad enough to take action in your life.

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Guru #24

Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. And check out his new products: Financial Peace Junior and Junior’s Adventures Storytime Book Set! “The Dave Ramsey Show” is heard by more than 8.5 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations, “The Dave Ramsey Show” channel on iHeartRadio, and a 24-hour online streaming video channel. Ramsey Solutions offers a suite of products and services to help people get control of their finances and other aspects of their lives.

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Guru #25

Les Brown

As one of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers, Les Brown is a dynamic personality and highly-sought-after resource in business and professional circles for Fortune 500 CEOs, small business owners, non-profit and community leaders from all sectors of society looking to expand opportunity. For three decades he has not only studied the science of achievement, he’s mastered it by interviewing hundreds of successful business leaders and collaborating with them in the boardroom translating theory into bottom-line results for his clients.

As a premier Keynote Speaker and leading authority on achievement for audiences as large as 80,000—Les Brown energizes people to meet the challenges of the world around them. He skillfully weaves his compelling life story into the fabric of our daily lives. The thread is forever strengthened, touting why you can’t afford to be complacent and to aim high, achieve and actively make an impact on the world.

Les Brown never tires of using his energies to transform the world, well-beyond the podium and public appearances, meshing traditional and social media to empower his audiences. Hundreds of thousands are watching him on YouTube and tens of thousands interact with him regularly on Facebook. He has a keen way of turning what he touches into gold. Over 20 years ago, he won a Chicago-area Emmy® for his unsurpassed fundraising pledge drive for the Public Broadcasting System. Followed by several bestselling books and hosting popular national talk shows on television and radio.

Les Brown is committed to motivating and training today’s generation to be achievers and leaders as he introduces new audiences every day to It’s Not Over Until You Win, Up Thoughts for Down Times and Fight For Your Dream. Les Brown’s audio series,“Choosing Your Future,” remains his all-time bestseller for its acclaimed impact worldwide.

In business as in real life there are always going to be ups and downs. However, where there is a will, there is always a way to achieve amazing results for your organization when Les Brown fills the room with his high-impact, customized message and standing ovation performance!

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Guru #26

Lisa Nichols

LISA NICHOLS is one of the world’s most-requested motivational speakers, as well as media personality and corporate CEO whose global platform has reached and served nearly 30 million people. From a struggling single mom on public assistance to a millionaire entrepreneur, Lisa’s courage and determination has inspired fans worldwide and helped countless audiences break through, to discover their own untapped talents and infinite potential.

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Motivating the Masses, Inc. – one of the country’s only publicly traded personal and business development training companies – Lisa has helped develop workshops and programs that have transformed the lives of men and women, and altered the trajectory of businesses throughout the country and across the world.

Lisa is also a best-selling author of six books, and her 7th book ABUNDANCE NOW, published by HarperCollins. In ABUNDANCE NOW, Lisa continues her journey with her fans, providing a clear and practical blueprint for personal success, drawn directly from the life experiences of its beloved author. ABUNDANCE NOW is the follow-up to Lisa’s New York Times bestseller, NO MATTER WHAT.

Lisa’s extraordinary story of transforming her own life from public assistance for her family to leading a multi-million dollar enterprise is the inspiration behind her bold mission to teach others that it is possible to do the same. Today, fans worldwide revere Lisa for her mastery of teaching people how to accomplishing unfathomable goals and tap their limitless potential.

A noted media personality who has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, the Steve Harvey Show, and Extra – just to name a few, is also celebrated for the impact she has on the lives of teens. Through Lisa’s non-profit foundation Motivating the Teen Spirit, she has touched the lives of 211,650 teens, prevented over 3,800 teen suicides, supported 2,500 dropouts in returning to school, and has helped thousands reunite with families.

Among the prestigious awards and honors bestowed upon Lisa for her extensive work are the Humanitarian Award from the country of South Africa, The Ambassador Award, and the LEGO Foundation‘s Heart of Learning Award. The City of Henderson, Nevada named November 20th as Motivating the Teen Spirit Day; and the City of Houston, Texas named May 9th as Lisa Nichols Day for her dedication to service, philanthropy and healing.

Lisa lives, plays and works in the greater San Diego, California area and on stages around the world, working alongside her world-class team committed to Motivating the Masses.

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Guru #27

Boris Cherniak

Boris Cherniak is a multiple award winning comedian hypnotist, hypnotherapist, motivational speaker, actor and author. He regularly appears on television showcasing incredible powers of hypnosis and power of positive thinking. Boris motivates and inspires. He appears in upwards of 300 live performances a year. Boris presents a comical point of view, while leaving a lasting impression and enlightening his audiences. His stage name, Incredible Boris, describes the sentiment of every performance literally – a positive attitude and constant state of mind. Boris delivers a powerful message of limitless possibilities.

Boris was born in Moscow, Russia on December 12, 1964. He came to Canada when he was 10 years old. As a child, he lived across the road from the Moscow Circus and was a regular fixture in the audience and backstage. He was mentored by world-famous clowns Yury Nikulin (Yury Nikulin’s Moscow Circus) and Oleg Popov.

As a teen, Boris read the new-age classic The Search For Bridey Murphy by Morey Bernstein, which is a true story about a hypnotist involved in a past life regression with a female subject – a lady is regressed past her birth, only to reveal names, locations and events of a past. The hypnotist records the session, follows up on the facts provided, and they happen to be true – the events, people and locations actually existed. Excited about a fascinating subject and a skeptic, Boris having the need to know more, devours every book available on the subject of hypnosis, hypnotism, hypnotists and hypnotherapy. Follow up books by the Amazing Randi provided incredible insights to the subject, giving possible explanations and solutions.

Boris started hypnotizing people at parties and get-togethers. Early on, friends provided ideas, which have evolved into dramatic and theatrical stage routines today. Boris’ creativity and desire to succeed drove him to learn more and perform as much as he could. Incredible amount of stage time and determination allowed development of a unique stage persona and wealth of unforgettable stage routines. He continued gathering all available information about hypnosis, psychology and any other related subjects he could absorb the information from. York University, University of Toronto and Seneca College provided training in the fields of psychology and computers. Even though the two fields do not appear to be related, computer and mind programming are very similar. They provide logical solutions to given instructions. Boris continues to learn and improve his knowledge. He is a certified hypnotist and hypnotherapist. His practice primarily encompasses the entertainment field and motivational team building events. Boris is a member of several hypnosis guilds and organisations. His motivational book of life experiences to inspire the reader will be published shortly.

Initially, Boris used his first name only, similiar to other one-name performers. Eventually, after agents, promoters and club owners kept adding different adjectives, it was changed to Hypnotist The Incredible BORIS, which described the sentiment of the show more precisely. “Incredible” was used the most.

In 2011, Boris entertained troops in Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Field as part of Operation HOT – Honoring Our Troops. When Operation HOT returned to Afghanistan and Kuwait in 2013, Boris was asked to join the team once again.This time, Operation HOT 2nd Deployment was able to reach the most remote Forward Operating Bases as well as performing a grandstand show in Kandahar, Afghanistan for the Joint Task Force troops. Boris was honored with commendations from the City of Houston and letters from the white house from President Obama for his efforts.

In 2014, Boris joined the elite team of inspiring TED speakers with “I can do anything” TED talk at TEDxYouth event.

The passion with which Boris takes the stage is engaging and contagious, while the impact of his presentation is unforgettable.

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Guru #28

Jill Sinclair

Jill Sinclair is in the business of changing lives.

She is a passionate and driven executive coach, author, TEDx & keynote speaker on a mission to help others reach their full potential.

She has worked with Ryan Serhant, TV Star of Million Dollar Listing NY, and is starring in the new TV Show, COACH with Ed Mylett, David Meltzer and Jim Kwik, to name a few.

As a huge advocate and volunteer mentor for youth, Jill held a free non-profit contest in the middle of the pandemic, with over $100,000 in prizes and had Vincenzo Guzzo, TV Star of Dragons’ Den, as one of her judges.

With her expertise as a guest lecturer, Jill was also enlisted to create national curriculum for youth 18-29 yrs old on career preparation and career visioning.

She is committed to helping others tap into their brilliance and lead with their unique genius. Her mission is to empower others to overcome their success blockers and crush their life’s goals.

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Guru #29

Chad E. Foster

Chad E. Foster is a keynote speaker, sales/finance leader, and inspirational change agent who works at Red Hat/IBM. He was the first blind executive to graduate from Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development and has been featured with NBC, CBS, Forbes, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA Today, and Chief Executive Mag.

“People are often surprised at what I was able to achieve in spite of being blind but to the contrary, I feel I am successful because I am blind, not in spite of it,” says Chad.

After losing his eyesight while attending college in his early twenties, Chad started at a top consulting firm, and has built a career in the technology industry where he has directed financial strategies and decisions resulting in more than $45 billion in contracts.

Determination, ambition, and resilience are the key drivers of his incredible journey. The Atlanta Opera has commissioned an opera inspired by his life story and his first book, Blind Ambition: How to Go from Victim to Visionary. His book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Bookshop, Books-A-Million, Google Play, and other fine retailers.

Today, Chad speaks to corporate audiences and professional athletes to help them develop resilience in the face of uncertainty and show people how to overcome their own blind spots.

He lives with his wife and his 2 children in Atlanta, GA and is a daredevil of his own, enjoying snow skiing every winter.

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Guru #30

Erik wahl

Erik Wahl is an American graffiti artist, speed-painter, author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur based in San Diego. He is the founder of The Wahl Group, a consultancy firm, and has delivered presentations at major corporations such as Microsoft and Disney. During his performances, Wahl creates live paintings of influential figures like Michael Jordan and Steve Jobs, using art as a metaphor to encourage organizations to embrace innovation and creativity. His book, “Unthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius,” was published in 2013 and named CEO Reads’ book of the year. In 2012, Wahl initiated “Art Drop,” a treasure hunt where he places original paintings in undisclosed locations, providing clues via social media for followers to find and claim the artwork. Through his dynamic presentations and innovative projects, Erik Wahl inspires individuals and organizations to unlock their creative potential and embrace change.

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