KEYNOTE AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

I speak on the topics of stress, self-care, and lifestyle medicine approaches to healing anxiety, depression, and pain. If your organization (big or small) could benefit from having healthier, happier, present-centered members/employees, these talks can help. I conduct hour-long talks as well as full-day retreats. My style is approachable and engaging using humor, research, and real-life stories. I provide evidence-based information and practical tools that the audience can use immediately. To learn more about my speaking and workshop services, click the button below.

CONSULTANT

I consult with companies and organizations of all sizes on topics related to health and well-being, motivation, behavior change, habits, nutrition for mental health, weight, chronic pain, perfectionism, and more. I help design and create content, discuss usability, and work to create integration. Examples of consultation partnerships include:

• Afterdeployment.org - This website was designed to improve the physical, psychological, and spiritual health of military service members and veterans. I consulted on the content and helped develop sections on sleep, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindset, and more.

• Urbana Yoga - This organization was a wellness studio designed to blend a mind-body approach to health with personal growth. I consulted on the content and organization with specific emphasis on self-care, motivation, and personal growth.

• Dynamic Glucose - This company was designed to provide education and app-based features for individuals with diabetes to improve their health and well-being. I provided expertise on the content of the website and delivery of the information via the app as well as content on behavior change, motivation, the effect of sugar on mood, sleep, and more.

Presentation Topics

The B.E.S.T. Strategies to Take You from “Meh” to “Hell Yeah”
Life is busy, and we can feel beaten down by the day-to-day routine. The stress and pressure can lead to apathy, depression, anxiety, or physical health issues. Because this state of stagnation can feel so bad, we think we have to change everything to see an improvement, and that task seems either too overwhelming. So, we don’t start, or if we do start, we feel even more overwhelmed, and end up feeling worse about ourselves. This talk presents the way out. My B.E.S.T. strategies build on the things that you already do each day and require only little changes—not monumental life shifts—to see an improvement and feel better fast. The research-backed B.E.S.T. strategies use the science of habit formation, lifestyle medicine, the mind-body connection, holistic nutrition, positive psychology, and motivation. The techniques described can be applied immediately (even during the talk!), because if we don’t see that we can’t see progress, we won’t keep up the process.

Self-Care is Not Selfish: What Self-Care Really Means and Who Needs It
Self-care is a popular term today, but it’s more than massages and a yoga class. Self-care is a systematic way of relating to yourself, which means that self-care is about how you talk to yourself, engage with others, and craft activities and environments to support the health of your nervous system so that you can do and achieve what you want in life. Self-care may seem like a modern term, but self-care practices are the foundations of ancient healing. This talk illustrates that today's “self-care activities” were really just the normal lifestyle our ancestors lived. Providing this information highlights the enormous mismatch between the busy lives that societal norms have created and ancient practices that our brains and bodies are wired to do. This allows the audience to release any guilt and shame from prioritizing these “ancient” self-care activities. I then present simple ways to work self-care into their daily lives and provide real-life case study illustrations of how prioritizing self-care changed my clients’ lives.

Nothing is Working!!: The Holistic Approach to Healing Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can be completely life-changing. I know it because I’ve lived it. Pain is usually caused by one of two factors: structural or nervous system issues. Structural issues are tissue damage (a broken arm) or non-structural like micro-tearing or inflammation. These conditions are often acute and heal on their own. Nervous system pain is caused by neural pathways that develop in response to stress, trauma, and repressed emotions. These learned neural pathways cause anatomical changes in the brain. The experience of these symptoms is legitimate. The symptoms can be chronic and debilitating, and this type of pain isn't often cured with the same approaches that work to heal structural issues. These conditions are often called Psychophysiologic Disorder (PPD), Tension Myositis/Myoneural Syndrome (TMS), Stress Illness Syndrome, Central Sensitization Syndrome, and the list goes on. No matter what we call the conditions, the good news is that they are curable. This talk explains the mechanisms that create and sustain chronic pain and provides an do-able roadmap to health. This talk can be adapted for a general audience and for healthcare providers.

Stop Living a Checkbox Life: The Path to a Fulfilling Life That Checks the Boxes that Matter
So many of my clients have orchestrated their lives to check off the boxes that comprise family and cultural expectations of this time. They get the good grades, get into the good college and/or graduate school, find a partner, get married, get the dog, then have a child, climb the corporate ladder, etc., etc., etc. They end up in my office when, even after doing those things that are supposed to bring them happiness, power, and love, they are not happy. And some are angry. They’ve completed their side of this implicit deal for creating happiness, yet the other side of the deal has not been upheld. This talk describes how we easily get lulled into the false fairytale of what creates happiness and proposes a new idea that involves designing a life from the inside out rather than the outside in. An internally guided life leads to true happiness.

Upcoming Speaking Events

Donahue, K. (May 2020). Self-Care is Not a Selfish Act. Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Northern Virginia Chapter Conference. Arlington, MD. Postponed due to COVID-19

Donahue, K. (April 2020). The B.E.S.T. Tools for Managing Stress and Cultivating Joy. 2911 Group. Thurmont, MD. Postponed due to COVID-19

Past Speaking Events

September 2024
Managing Stress Without Calories. Obesity Action Coalition Regional Conference. Austin, TX
During this talk, I described stress, the impact of chronic stress on our nervous system, and simple changes to make to manage stress including lifestyle modifications and thought upgrades using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy.

February 2024
The BEST Strategies to take you from Meh to Hell Yeah: The Real Biohacking. Biohacker Expo. Miami, FL.
During this talk to a lay-person audience, I told a story of how our ancestors lived (i.e., community-focused, natural exercise, sleep/wake with the sun, whole-foods diet) and how those practices are the true biohacks. I then simplified the process to create more of those ancient biohacks in everyday life using the best of habit change research.

May 2024
Managing Stress Without Calories. Obesity Action Coalition Regional Conference. Indianapolis, IN.
During this talk, I described stress, the impact of chronic stress on our nervous system, and simple changes to make to manage stress including lifestyle modifications and thought upgrades using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy.

February 2, 2023
Managing Stress Without Calories. Obesity Action Coalition Regional Conference. Carlsbad, CA.
During this talk, I described stress, the impact of chronic stress on our nervous system, and simple changes to make to manage stress including lifestyle modifications and thought upgrades using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy.

October 18, 2023
Bridging the Gap Between Pain and Mental Health. The PHYT Collective. Washington, DC.
During this talk we discuss the etiology of pain and injury, how our beliefs inform our pain and mood, stigma of seeking care, and considerations for performance coaching.

May 13, 2021
Donahue, K. & Pashby, R. Mindfulness and Healthy Weight Loss. Capital Women’s Care Health Fair. Washington, DC (held online).
This talk described healthy weight loss and how mindfulness can be practiced as a way of life that can lead to weight loss.

May 12, 2021
Donahue, K. (May 2021). Mindfulness and Chronic Pain. Capital Women’s Care Health Fair. Washington, DC (held online).
This talk described how chronic pain develops including the emotional, cognitive, and biological components and and why mindfulness is an effective tool for reducing chronic pain.

March 11, 2021
From “Meh” to “Heck Yeah”: Navigating Self-Care in the Transition from 2020 to 2021 and Beyond. Women’s Business Network of Frederick (WBN)
This talk described the need to release self-criticism around how we were showing up in business and in life during the pandemic. The talk then covered the foundations of self-care and the essential components of a self-care plan: small changes and repetition with a powerful why.

October 30, 2020
The Role of Psychological Interventions in Holistic Pain Management. Maryland State Society of Orthodontics (MSSO).
This talk described the foundations for chronic pain and its multi-factorial etiology. I then discussed a holistic approach including health psychology interventions, using a real case study to illustrate the process. I also conveyed important considerations for findings and working collaboratively with a health psychologist on pain management.

October 15, 2020
Modern Solutions for Stress, Burnout, and Overwhelm (Keynote to National Society for Histotechnology)
Stress is inescapable especially during these times. This talk described why we feel stress, how it impacts our mind and body, and simple steps that we can take to make change. This talk was tailored to the unique concerns of those working in the lab setting of the health care industry. The talk was attended by more than 500 individuals with requests for additional presentations.

March 26, 2020
Managing the Anxiety Around COVID-19 (National Institutes of Health - webinar)
COVID-19 has caused changes to nearly every aspect of life. This talk describes the physiology behind why we are feeling more stressed during this pandemic. We then discuss strategies to mitigate the stress using the MASTER STRESS acronym. We close the talk with the call to action to take small, actionable step to feel better. This talk used a webinar platform and was attended virtually by more than 1100 individuals.

November 7, 2019
Finding the Joy in Everyday Parenting (Belmont Parent Teacher Association)
Do you feel exhausted by parenting? Do you feel less joy in parenting than you anticipated? If so, you aren’t alone! In this talk, Dr. Kelly Donahue discusses the chronic stress response that can be caused by life’s daily hassles, including parenting. She outlines the importance of self-care for parents before considering specific parenting strategies. Once parents can use self-care to calm their nervous systems, they are in a much better place to practice conscious and peaceful parenting. Dr. Donahue describes this parenting style using real-life examples from her own clients. Parents will leave with practical self-care tools to use for themselves and with their children as well as simple but effecting present parenting strategies.

October 28, 2019
Getting Unstuck: Tips You Can Use to Change Your Relationship with Sugar, Sweat, Sleep & Sex (DC Women’s Transition Network)
Do you ever feel stuck in the same old patterns? Maybe you lose time surfing the internet, find yourself mindlessly snacking at night, or notice you have a long list of excuses to avoid intimacy with a partner? Perhaps spiraling thoughts keep you up at night and you often feel stressed out, overwhelmed or just plain tired. If so, you aren't alone! In this interactive presentation, psychologists Dr. Robyn Pashby and Dr. Kelly Donahue help you recognize the triggers to those negative cycles and you'll learn simple strategies supported by research to get you unstuck and feeling better!

October 18, 2019
Self-care is Not A New Age Thing
I was a guest speaker at the Women’s Business Network Event, Steps to Success. The talk shattered the myths about self-care to include that it is a new-age practice. The talk defined stress and why we need self-care now more than ever. We discussed our personal busy badges and how to give ourselves permission for self-care. I provided by BEST tools for self-care, and we practiced many of them together.

May 23, 2019
Your BEST Tools for Managing Stress
This invited talk was held at JE Richards Electric as part of their corporate wellness series. The talk defined stress, articulated the difference between acute and chronic stress, and taught attendees about the mental and physical effects of stress on their mind and body. Participants learned practical techniques that they could apply immediately in their life. The techniques included breathing, identifying and changing negative self-talk, modifying their environment, improving their eating habits, and more! Participants left with worksheets on improving sleep and a beautiful template for a gratitude journal.

January 27, 2019
Holistic Solutions for Healing Chronic Pain
This workshop is designed to help those who experience chronic pain. In this workshop, you’ll learn about the causes of chronic pain and a holistic approach to healing. I’ll teach you about the role of nutrition, thoughts, emotions, and self-care in the pain response. You will learn and practice simple mindfulness and meditation techniques. You will leave this workshop with tools you can immediately implement to feel better. This workshop is led by Dr. Kelly Donahue. She is a clinical health psychologist and mind-body health expert with over 12 years of experience working with clients experiencing many chronic diseases including chronic pain. She has had her own chronic pain journey and incorporates her experience into her teaching.

December 6, 2018
Rethinking New Year's Resolutions...How to Realistically and Compassionately Manage Weight in the New Year.
The ringing in of the new year often brings reflection on goals and a desire to make some changes. Instead of doing the same thing you've done in years past, join Dr. Robyn Pashby and Dr. Kelly Donahue as we share tools for real, sustainable behavior change to replace unhelpful new year's resolutions. We will discuss realistic weight loss strategies using cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness skills for behavior change. 

April 26, 2018
Rock Your Relationships
Presentation at Holistic Health Associates Learning Center in Frederick, MD
This class will teach you the components of finding and maintaining healthy relationships: creating a healthy relationship with yourself, clear communication, and setting boundaries. You'll leave feeling more connected to yourself and more confident in your ability to be your best in any relationship you encounter.

April 24, 2018
Is Inflammation to Blame for your Weight Gain, Achy Joints, and Chronic Fatigue?
Presentation at Holistic Health Associates Learning Center in Frederick, MD
This class will teach community members about the importance and the dangers of inflammation and will help them to understand that inflammation may be related to many of their personal health issues. This class will provide easy to use lifestyle and nutritional strategies for reducing inflammation and improving health. We'll sample delicious anti-inflammatory foods and practice techniques proven to cool inflammation.

March 21, 2018
Digestion: Heartburn, Bloating, and Gas…Oh My!
Presentation at Holistic Health Associates Learning Center in Frederick, MD
This class will describe the process of digestion from brain to elimination. It teach participants about optimal digestion and the symptoms (e.g., heartburn, bloating, and gas) of poorly functioning digestion. We’ll talk about poop and use the Bristol Stool Chart to show you how your poop can be an indicator of your current state of health. We’ll talk about healthy lifestyle habits and foods to optimize digestion.

March 1, 2018
Is Inflammation to Blame for your Weight Gain, Achy Joints, and Chronic Fatigue?
Presentation at Holistic Health Associates Learning Center in Frederick, MD
This class will teach community members about the importance and the dangers of inflammation and will help them to understand that inflammation may be related to many of their personal health issues. This class will provide easy to use lifestyle and nutritional strategies for reducing inflammation and improving health. We'll sample delicious anti-inflammatory foods and practice techniques proven to cool inflammation.

January 25, 2018
Beating the Winter Blues
Presentation at the Holistic Health Associates Learning Center in Frederick, MD
Do you find yourself feeling the winter blahs? Do you feel less motivated, more irritable, less happy, and more fatigued? If so, you are not alone! These symptoms affect 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population. Cold days with short amounts of daylight and less sunshine, coupled with less physical activity and a change in the types of foods consumed can all contribute to feeling down in the winter. The good news is that you can make changes to your mindset and make simple adjustments to your food and lifestyle habits to start feeling better. This class will teach you those techniques to feel better…before the summer sun arrives!

Past Appearances and Featured Articles

Contributed to I Went on a Health Tracking Hiatus for a Month — Here’s What Happened in Eating Well. Online at: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/2060789/i-went-on-a-health-tracking-hiatus-for-a-month-heres-what-happened/

Guest on The New Mid podcast. LISTEN HERE

Guest on the Low Carb MD podcast. LISTEN HERE

Guest on Women’s Wellness Works podcast. LISTEN HERE

Guest on DC Radio’s Wit and Reason show. LISTEN HERE

Guest on Frederick News Post’s Podcast discussing Seasonal Affective Disorder LISTEN HERE

Guest on Alexa Shirm’s Simple Roots Radio Podcast talking about the importance of mindset. LISTEN HERE

Guest on The Ladies Dish Podcast. LISTEN HERE

How Joy Behaviors Can Have a Huge Impact. Medium/Authority Magazine. Online HERE.

Contributed to How to Stay Healthy Over the Holidays on Best Copmany. Online at: https://bestcompany.com/health-insurance/blog/how-to-stay-healthy-over-the-holidays?sp=sm

Your Roadmap Out of Overwhelm. Elephant Journal: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/your-roadmap-out-of-overwhelm/

Forys Donahue, K. (2019). Psychological Interventions for Healing Chronic Pain. DC Psychological Association Newsletter. http://www.dcpsychology.org/heads-up

Pashby, R., Donahue, K., Morris, K (2018). Perspectives on Being a Health Psychologist. Online at: https://www.theranest.com/blog/health-psychology-perspectives/