Stephanie Simpson

Run Your Own Race: Building Confidence and Resilience to Reach Your Goals

High performers, great leaders, and visionary professionals all have one thing in common: they understand that growth is a marathon, not a sprint. But what happens when the vision you have for yourself or your organization feels too big or overwhelming? It’s easy to feel stuck, unsure where to start, or paralyzed by the pressure to succeed.

For Stephanie Simpson, this wasn’t just a metaphor—it was a lived experience. What started as a personal challenge to run a few blocks turned into training for and completing the NYC Marathon—a journey that reshaped her mindset, leadership, and approach to goal setting. Through this experience, she uncovered the essential principles of turning vision into action, overcoming obstacles, and developing leadership that is grounded in confidence, adaptability, and resilience—lessons that extend far beyond the racecourse.

In this compelling keynote, Stephanie shares powerful insights from her journey as a marathon runner, entrepreneur, and leadership coach to help professionals break through self-doubt, lead with clarity, and set goals that align with their values. Leadership isn’t just about managing others—it’s about leading yourself first. Whether you’re driving innovation, leading teams, or navigating career transitions, this keynote will provide the mindset and strategies to stay focused, build resilience, and lead with intention.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT:

• Learn how to shift self-talk to build authentic confidence as a leader.
• Gain tools for setting strategic, achievable goals and creating a roadmap for success.
• Develop strategies for navigating setbacks with resilience and adaptability.
• Understand the importance of pacing yourself to avoid burnout and sustain long-term impact.
• Discover how to cultivate a strong support system and lead with purpose.

Rewiring Stress: Turning Pressure Into Purpose and Sustainable Performance

Stress isn’t the enemy—it’s a signal. It tells you what matters, where you’re being stretched, and what’s at stake. The challenge isn’t eliminating stress (because that’s impossible)—it’s learning how to harness it, not fight against it.

In fast-paced, high-performance environments, stress is inevitable. Whether you’re managing deadlines, leading teams, or making high-stakes decisions, success isn’t about avoiding stress—it’s about understanding how to use it to your advantage.

In this engaging and practical keynote, Stephanie Simpson redefines stress as a powerful tool for growth, adaptability, and peak performance. As a former professional performer turned entrepreneur, she has navigated the pressures of building a business, leading in dynamic industries, and adapting to constant change. Blending insights from psychology, leadership, and mindfulness, Stephanie shares science-backed strategies and real-world applications to help professionals shift their relationship with stress—from something that depletes them to something that fuels performance.

Stress doesn’t have to lead to burnout, disengagement, or decision fatigue. When approached intentionally, it can drive confidence, focus, and resilience. This keynote will empower you with the mindset and tools to harness stress, reclaim your energy, and lead with clarity—whether you’re managing a team, navigating uncertainty, or striving for sustainable success in your career and organization.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT:

• Understand the Three S’s of Stress—and how to recognize them in their leadership and work.
• Learn the Four Pillars of Stress Mastery—a science-backed framework for resilience.
• Discover the difference between Eustress and Distress—and how to use stress as a performance enhancer.
• Gain insights into how stress impacts decision-making, leadership, and productivity—and what top performers do differently.
• Walk away with practical tools to shift their mindset, avoid burnout, and thrive under pressure.

The Goo Stage: How to Lead Yourself (and Others) Through Change and Uncertainty

Change is inevitable—but transformation? That’s a choice. Whether you’re stepping into a new leadership role, navigating an organizational shift, or simply questioning what’s next in your career, the journey from where you are to where you want to be is rarely linear.

There’s a stage in between the breakdown and the breakthrough. It’s uncomfortable, unclear, and often invisible. Stephanie Simpson calls it The Goo Stage—inspired by the biological transformation of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar dissolves into goo before rebuilding itself into something entirely new. It’s messy, but it’s also where the magic happens.

In this dynamic keynote, Stephanie draws from her experience as an executive/leadership coach/consultant, educator, and former performing artist to help individuals and organizations navigate transitions with greater clarity, intention, and resilience. Blending insights from psychology, leadership development, and somatic practices, she offers a powerful reframing of change as an opportunity to lead with more emotional intelligence and authenticity.

Whether your team is managing internal shifts, facing burnout, or preparing for growth, The Goo Stage offers a transformative lens to support your people through uncertainty—without losing momentum, meaning, or morale.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT:

• Understand the Goo Stage as a critical part of the change process, both personally and organizationally.
• Learn how to lead themselves and others through uncertainty with emotional intelligence, clarity, and trust.
• Gain practical tools for managing stress, navigating ambiguity, and building resilient teams.
• Reframe breakdowns, friction, and slow progress as necessary elements of long-term transformation.
• Leave with strategies for fostering a culture of reflection, growth, and sustainable leadership—especially during times of change.

The Inner Game of Leadership: Leading with Awareness, Empathy, and Impact

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about how you show up in the moments that matter most. Whether you’re leading a team, managing high-stakes projects, or navigating uncertainty, the way you manage your thoughts, emotions, and energy defines your impact. Your ability to lead with confidence, adaptability, and emotional intelligence determines how effectively you inspire others, drive innovation, and create sustainable success.

Conscious leadership is about shifting from a mindset of “me” to a culture of “we.” It’s about developing self-awareness, recognizing how energy and mindset affect team dynamics, and creating an environment of trust, collaboration, and performance. The most effective leaders don’t just focus on results—they cultivate workplaces where people feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute at their highest level.

In this transformative keynote, Stephanie Simpson—a former WNBA dancer, professional performer, and expert in psychology, leadership, and peak performance—guides professionals through a new way of thinking about leadership. Drawing from the Core Energy Leadership™ framework, sports psychology, and high-performance strategies, she helps leaders cultivate awareness, improve communication, and foster engagement in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating an environment where people feel empowered to contribute, grow, and succeed. When leaders develop self-awareness and adaptability, they build stronger teams, enhance workplace culture, and create long-term impact. This keynote will provide the insights and tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT:

• Understand what Conscious Leadership is and how it fosters engagement, collaboration, and performance.
• Recognize the 7 levels of energy and how shifting mindset impacts leadership effectiveness.
• Develop emotional intelligence and coaching skills to build trust and enhance communication.
• Apply tools for conflict resolution, effective feedback, and navigating change.
• Cultivate a leadership approach that is sustainable, people-centered, and results-driven.