Empowering You To Tell Your Story, By Sharing Mine
About Ivy Watts
Mental Health Empowerment Speaker
A former All-American student-athlete who appeared to have it all together, graduating Summa Cum Laude and a top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, on the inside struggled daily with anxiety, self-worth and depression. After finally seeking help, Ivy, who is Mental Health First Aid Certified, promotes mental wellness and reduces stigma around mental health by sharing her story through public speaking and her blog, Beautifully Simply You. Ivy is also the author of You Are Worth Fighting For, a book that will help you find the tools to look within and find tools for mental wellness, self-care, and self-love.
Ivy has her undergrad in Psychology from University of New Haven and her Masters in Public Health from Boston University.
Ivy has empowered over 50,000 students, administrators/coaches, as well as parents and employees to learn the power of self-love and self-care, for themselves and for others.
Together, we can change and save lives!
"You gave me the strength to schedule an appointment with a counselor on campus to help with the negativity and stress that I've been dealing with for so long. I finally feel empowered to make a change in my life after being in the dark for so long. I think everyone in the room took something out of your story."
Student-Athlete, Bentley University
"THANK YOU for your truly amazing and uplifting presentation with our student-athletes! We have had some great speakers over the years, but I can say without hesitation, that this was truly something special. You were exactly what our students needed right now. You truly have a gift. Your words, your message, your honesty, your vulnerability, your ability to connect with your audience (even virtually), its impact has been felt by so many. It was an honor to have you as part of our small mountain community for the evening."
Jason Flesock, Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, Athlete Committed Coordinator at North Tahoe High School
"Ivy really hit a nerve with our PanCAN team. In fact she hit a couple of nerves. The kind of nerves that make you laugh. That make you think. That make you grow. In speaking with our Community Engagement team, it's as if Ivy was "one of us." She did her homework, knew what we needed to hear, and then presented it in a comfortable setting. Ivy's message of self-care, resilience and forgiveness couldn't have come at a better time. She captivated our team for an hour and provided much needed resources.
This might have been the best hour we've had in all of 2020."
Kevin Sims, Director of Community Engagement, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Ivy flawlessly intertwined her story with strategic and healthy ways to cope with what she continues to go through. It has inspired me to be committed to creating a more open environment among student athletes pertaining to mental health and breaking the stigma."
Kelli McCarthy, Salem State Student-Athlete
"I have struggled mentally for many years. That day in particular I was not in a good mindset, but after the event I found my energy was lifted. I relate to many of the struggles you went through and talked about. I continue reminding myself that it is okay to feel this way but to look at the positives of a situation. And I understand things will not change over night but it is the little steps that help. And attending this event was very beneficial for me."