Nina Nesdoly
Q What do you do?
“I’m a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator specializing in stress and burnout prevention.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I’m currently pursuing a PhD in work stress and burnout, focusing on resilience and well-being. I started by studying neuroscience and management, which gave me a strong foundation in understanding how stress affects the brain and workplace dynamics. I started sharing my insights on social media and offering corporate workshops, then on news outlets, podcasts, and keynote speeches. I've also given a TEDx Talk on how to relieve stress!
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out by making complex science easy to understand and apply, which is my superpower—knowledge translation. I’m also known for being a fun and surprising speaker; one of my keynotes even includes a bike race! This combination of engaging delivery and actionable insights helps my audiences not only learn but also enjoy the process. Plus, my background in neuroscience and ongoing PhD research ensure that everything I present is grounded in cutting-edge science, giving people the tools to create real, lasting change.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on my PhD, writing a book, and continually developing new keynote speeches and workshops, and adding business consulting services.
Q What’s your style?
My style is a blend of science and fun. I make complex topics from neuroscience and management research easy to understand and apply, and I always look for creative ways to engage my audience. Projects that represent this are my keynotes — full video of my Rest to Success Keynote and my TEDx Talk.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I wish I could focus more on writing. Between speaking engagements, workshops, and my PhD research, writing often takes a backseat. However, I’m currently working on a book, and I’m excited about diving deeper into that process. Writing allows me to reflect on my experiences and translate what I’ve learned into something that can reach and impact a wider audience. It’s a skill I’d love to dedicate more time to, as it gives me the opportunity to share my insights in a different and lasting way.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
What’s frustrating me right now is finding my way forward in my career because I’m on such a unique path. There isn’t a clear structure to follow, which makes it both exciting and daunting. While I love the possibilities that come with carving out my own niche, it can be challenging to figure out the best next steps without a traditional roadmap to guide me.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
If I could hire someone for $20/hour, I would have them handle administrative tasks like managing my emails, following up with leads, scheduling meetings, and organizing my calendar. This would free up my time to focus more on creating content, developing workshops, and working on my PhD. I’d also have them help with social media posting and engagement, making sure my content is consistently shared across platforms. Having someone take care of these smaller but time-consuming tasks would make my day run much smoother and give me more mental space to focus on the bigger projects.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Honestly, my past self would not listen to current me. I believe everything happens at the right time, and we learn things when we’re ready.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’d love to talk to an expert about writing a book and navigating the entire process—from structuring the content to balancing writing with my other commitments. Since it’s such a new area for me, getting advice on how to approach everything from planning to publishing would be incredibly helpful.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
As a consultant, I’m looking for opportunities to partner with organizations that are committed to improving employee well-being and preventing burnout. Specifically, I seek projects where I can work closely with leadership and HR teams to design and implement data-driven strategies that enhance work-life balance, reduce stress, and build resilience in teams.I’m also interested in delivering customized workshops and training programs focused on neuroscience-backed stress management and resilience-building techniques.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal clients are leaders in mid-sized organizations that prioritize employee well-being and are committed to creating healthier, more sustainable work environments. They understand that preventing burnout is a long-term investment that involves addressing both individual stress management and organizational culture. These clients value practical, science-based strategies and are looking for a partner to help them implement meaningful change to improve team resilience, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
Q: What is your rate?
For consulting, my rates start at $150 per hour, depending on the scope and complexity of the project. My workshop programs and keynote speaking engagements typically start at $5,000. These prices reflect the customized, science-backed strategies I provide to help organizations prevent burnout and improve well-being.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
The best way to approach me about working together is to send an email to speaking@ninanesdoly.com or visit www.ninanesdoly.com. I’d love to know the budget, scope of the project, and what that person does for fun! It helps me get a sense of who I am working with beyond the project.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Penny Zenker, Trevor Blondel, Adam Hill, and Kassy Laborie
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
The more I move, the more I create.
This member profile was originally published in October 2024.