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Petra Velzeboer, Host of the Disrupting Wellbeing podcast, is a renowned mental health, resilience, and wellbeing keynote speaker, whose life story is as inspiring as it is harrowing. Raised in a strict religious cult, Petra’s early years were marked by severe adversity, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and a lack of formal education. Despite these challenges, she found the strength to overcome her past and transform her life. Today, she dedicates her work to empowering others to embrace open conversations about mental health and wellbeing, drawing on her personal experiences to inspire change.
As the proud author of “Begin with You,” Petra’s influence extends beyond her writing. She has graced the TEDx Talk stage and is a sought-after speaker for corporate and public events, where she addresses crucial topics such as mental health innovation, avoiding toxic work cultures, and building resilience in the face of adversity. Her talks resonate deeply with audiences, encouraging a shift towards more supportive and mentally healthy environments.
Formerly a Mental Health Consultant for Medigold Health, Petra also holds the roles of CEO at Petra Velzeboer Ltd and Wellbeing Director at My Whole Self. Her mission is to help corporate clients and organisations adopt sustainable mental health policies and strategies. Through her leadership, Petra aids clients in creating cultures that prioritise mental wellbeing and acceptance. Additionally, she has hosted the “Killing It: Adventures in Startups and Mental Health” and “Adversity to Advantage” podcasts, furthering her goal of normalising mental health discussions.
Petra’s journey from adversity to becoming a mental health advocate is marked by her extensive professional background. She has held significant roles, including Clinical Director for Wellbeing Solutions Management and Counselling Manager for The Mix Charity. Her academic achievements include an MSc in Psychodynamics of Human Development from Birkbeck University of London. Petra’s contributions to reports like “Seizing The Momentum” and “Thriving at Work,” as well as her features in Newsweek, the Huffington Post, BBC Radio, and Stylist, underscore her commitment to challenging behaviours and motivating change within corporate environments. Her engagements with prestigious clients like PwC, Channel 4, and Monzo Bank further highlight her impact as a keynote speaker, where she champions the importance of mental health and wellbeing.
“We invited Petra to speak at a conference with 50+ construction staff & everyone was blown away by the insight that Petra offered into our own selves. It was almost astounding to watch the shift in the room as it became ok for everyone to talk to each other. We are fortunate that this has reflected positively in productivity and we are hopeful that with Petra’s ongoing support, this dynamic has permanently changed for the better.”
“This was probably the most moving, honest and powerful session that I have ever attended”
“Petra is the rarest of keynotes; someone who knows the science but who also has lived experience on such an important topic. She is brave in her approach and this is perhaps the key lesson in opening up and addressing mental health work. She achieves a mix of levity and seriousness that T.S Eliot would be proud of and it’s the first talk I have seen in a long time where none of the 300 attendees glanced at their phones or checked the time. This is such an important topic that we need advocates such as Petra to open up the conversation in such a powerful, practical and ultimately uplifting way.”
“We invited Petra to speak at our Mental Health Awareness event on dealing with stress and were blown away by her incredible unique story and her authenticity. She is an accomplished presenter and coach who provided a tonne of practical advice on how to look after your mental health told through unforgettable stories and analogies. We’re now getting her back in to be part of our leadership development curriculum.”
The Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspirational figures of different races, genders, sexualities and abilities since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on diversity and inclusion.
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