Coaches Presentation: Ivy’s presentation at the WeCOACH Boston Regional Workshop was truly impactful. Her authentic storytelling and practical insights resonated deeply, inspiring a renewed commitment to holistic coaching within our women coaches community. Her sincere dedication, evident in the Q&A session and her honest feedback, showcased a genuine connection with the audience. We value how her insights align seamlessly with our mission to recruit, retain, and advance women in coaching. Her tools are invaluable in helping coaches sustain impactful careers in coaching and we express our gratitude to Ivy for her bravery in sharing her story and wisdom, leaving a lasting mark on how to support the mental health of our student-athletes and sharing how coaches can make a difference.

Ivy was such a powerful speaker at SDSU! She connected and engaged with all four groups of student-athletes that she presented to. Ivy varied her presentation content for larger groups and smaller teams/groups. Not only was her message and content exactly what the Athletics department had hoped for, the interactive and relatable nature of her presentations created a safe atmosphere for student-athletes to share and ask questions. Ivy also presented to the coaches and provided a mental health playbook that they could utilize with their teams. Ivy intertwined messages and ways to support the student-athletes on their teams as well as ways to support themselves! Finally, Ivy presented to a local high school and the student-athletes connected so well to her message and presentation. I highly recommend purchasing Ivy's book, "You Are Worth Fighting For", to give to audience members for her presentations- the student-athletes were thrilled to have her sign their books and speak with her after each presentation.

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.

The University of Rhode Island athletic department was fortunate to host Ms. Ivy Watts as a speaker this spring. What a breath of fresh air! Ivy provided tools for our student athletes on the topics of mental health and performance anxiety. Many of our athletes have referred back to this presentation as a life changing moment for their athletic and academic careers.

Making a Lasting Impact. I reached out to you at the end of my daughter's spring semester last year. You spoke at her university and through your words she began a journey of healing and growth. Less than a year later she is stronger and wiser, but also gentle on herself on days that are challenging. I just wanted to thank you; you are such a source of strength and resiliency for these student-athletes and they need that voice, that face which they can look in the eyes, hear the voice, of someone who completely relates and understands. 

Ivy's presentation to our student-athletes had a huge impact on our campus. Her presentation is engaging and interactive, and makes listeners feel comfortable enough to share how they're feeling. She encouraged our student-athletes to check-in with themselves and to be comfortable expressing their concerns about their mental health. Since her presentation, we've had several student-athletes speak up to coaches, and a handful have even contacted her on social media to speak further. Her background as a Division II student-athlete really resonated with them, and has definitely made an impact for us. We are so grateful to have had her visit us!

You were outstanding!  I hope you truly know how good you are and how impactful I felt you were for our student athletes. I think your program was the very best we have done for our student athletes in many years.

If you are looking for an impactful mental health speaker & advocate, I highly recommend Ivy Watts.    She presented at NJIT in Fall 2023, and her mental health workshop resonated with our athletes.     She connected with our athletes in a way that they could identify, and she provided them tangible skills that they can use on a daily basis to support their mental health & wellness.

You helped to shed light on a lot of issues that I didn’t know and your talk helped my students open up to some of their daily struggles and mental health issues. A lot of coaches don’t realize how important it is to be aware of these issues, it’s not just about the X’s and O’s, we need to know what is going on with our athletes, peers, friends and families. Since your talk, I’ve made sure I keep my eyes open to any signs positive or negative. THANK YOU, Ivy, for sharing your talk with us all, because we all needed to hear it.

You are such an inspiration, and an overall amazing person. It was great to have someone to relate to, I was speechless. That was by far the best speech I’ve heard. Thank you for sharing. You deserve the world! Let’s make a change!

I am truly inspired by your story. It’s so amazing and brave that you came to share your story. You have put the message in my head that I can do whatever I put my mind to. You reminded me that I am not alone. You are amazing!

Your story was eye opening for me and brought great, open conversation, that was well needed in my life and many others, thank you!

Our student-athletes were both educated and inspired by hearing of your personal journey and the steps you have taken to overcome the obstacles. Your presentation allowed those in the room, whether dealing with a personal issue or not, to understand the conditions as well as learning of the various lifestyle changes that can assist in recovery. Breaking down the stigma of mental health remains a challenge, however your openness to sharing the experiences will help foster a sense of confidence in those struggling themselves.

Ivy said, ‘if you’re seeking perfection, you’ll always fall short.’ As athletes and coaches, we are wired to strive for excellence, so hearing that message was compelling. Our identity, self worth, and happiness cannot be defined by performance and career achievements. Like Ivy said, there is power in daily affirmations. ‘I am worthy. I am capable. I am good enough.’ This message was well-received by our student-athletes.

Ivy Watts was the keynote speaker for our Social Justice Week 2024 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.  She did a fabulous job of making her conversation on mental health empowerment relevant to a diverse group of students and faculty.  Not only did she provide important things to consider, she also offered tools to support navigating through stress and other challenges.  We would certainly welcome her back to our university again for a longer amount of time and more workshops!

It was a pleasure having Ivy Watts come and speak to our high school girls track team. The week following Ivy’s visit, it was obvious many of our girls had a newfound sense of confidence and belief in themselves while practicing and competing on the track. Not to mention, several girls expressed openly that they had been positively impacted by the conversation. Ivy gives a raw, first-hand account of her experiences as a competitive athlete, her struggles with perfectionism, negative self-talk and the scary places it can sometimes take you when you ignore it, rather than address it. Ivy’s story is very powerful, and in my opinion, is not often embraced despite being extremely relevant in the sports realm and beyond. I think we all know someone who could have benefited from this conversation. For that reason alone, I would recommend every team, group, company, or organization consider inviting Ivy to speak. Ivy will break down the barriers surrounding mental health topics and will teach her audience how to find the self confidence and sense of worth that everyone deserves.

One of the easiest and best decisions I have made on bringing in a guest speaker to present to our students and student-athletes was bringing in Ivy Watts to discuss mental health. Her passion to do so and her own individual story really allowed for a realistic presentation that all of our students could easily relate to and I am sure help some as well. It was very powerful and she did an outstanding job of presenting such a serious subject in today’s society while also making it comfortable for all. I highly recommend bringing Ms. Watts to your school to discuss this serious topic for all of your students.

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.

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.

Ivy inspired us to be more courageous to help ourselves, while being more compassionate to help others.

I feel confident we (Kean University Athletics) can speak for the rest of our NJAC members that Ivy's story was such a privilege and powerful experience to listen to, with lessons of overcoming struggle and adversity as a former student-athlete. The workshop gave our student-athletes the tools to practice and build confidence towards a positive, healthy, and safe mental space. Her tactics of effective listening, caring, and being supportive directly align with our role as coaches, teachers, and mentors.

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.

Your story and what you have to say is so powerful and so inspiring. With the help of people like you, the stigma towards mental health will continue to change for the better. Thank you for continuing to inspire people like myself, for advocating that it is okay for people to have these feelings, and that it is more than okay to reach out for help. You completely inspire me, and you are such an amazing person. Thank you for all that you do.

Ivy Watts gave a wonderful presentation to our team on Self Care during COVID! Her compassion for others is off the charts! She gave us great tips and tools to help us work through our daily life’s challenges while at the same time helping us understand that it’s ok to feel the way we feel! Loved her and would highly recommend her!

Ivy’s message about self-empowerment was very powerful because so many of her experiences regarding self-doubt and equating one’s value to their athletic performance really resonated with me. It was inspirational and comforting to hear that Ivy, a very successful female student-athlete, has also struggled with many of the same issues that I have. In particular, I was impressed by how she made her information session interactive, regardless of the fact that we were all virtually attending. This spring, I plan to encourage my team to focus on their best qualities, on and off the field, and to create an environment of positivity and empathy, like the one that Ivy established with us.

Mental health is such an important topic right now and our membership was eager to learn more. Ivy met and exceeded our expectations for how her webinars would go with both athletics administrators/ coaches and student-athletes. We only received positive feedback from both groups. Ivy tells her story in a vulnerable and honest way that is also uplifting. She helps people feel like they're not alone and also provides them with the tools to get help and better support their mental well-being. I could not recommend Ivy more for mental health programming.

Ivy's presentation was truly eye opening. Many of our athletes were struggling or have struggled with the same thing, making us feel like we are not alone. 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.

Ivy Watts was passionate, relatable, transparent and truly inspirational during her presentation to our Network of youth and young adults from New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is a dynamic speaker who electrifies her audiences with a powerful message of self-care and wellness. She shares her personal journey of challenges with mental health and conveys a blue print for maintenance, balance and triumph. Ivy Watts by far is manifesting her purpose and destiny to help people across the nation from all walks of life with her extraordinary platform comprising effective tools for mental wellness, self-care, and self-love. The time she spent with our organization was transformative and impactful; and we are already planning to bring her back!!!

We had Ivy speak to our entire student body in grades 6-12. Her message was impactful for both students and staff. Her honesty and vulnerability about her struggles through life made her relatable for our student-athletes especially. Our students were relieved to know that they are not allow in how they feel and the struggles they deal with on a daily bases. Not only was her message powerful, but she gave us all tools and resources to use on a daily basis to help deal with our emotions and struggles. We all left knowing that WE ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

Your story was so moving; it was real and honest, and the kids felt really felt a genuine connection to you. Bravo on putting on such a memorable presentation. This is one story that’ll stick with me and these kids for the long term. YOU ROCK!

I resonated so much with what you were saying and I appreciate you opening up and sharing your journey. You were absolutely amazing and your visit was much needed and I firmly believe you are making such a positive impact on this world doing what you’re doing!

Your positivity is contagious and I’m thankful for the chance to have heard your story.

After hearing your presentation, I felt empowered and inspired. As someone who struggles with mental illness, it was something I needed to hear. I’ve heard many lectures about mental health, but I’ve never heard one so raw and pure.

Mental Wellness In The Workplace Presentation: We engaged with Ivy when we were looking for a motivational speaker for our company's Wellbeing day, which was focused all around mental health and wellness. We selected Ivy to be our guest speaker for this day, because her story was compelling and it aligned with the theme of our day. Ivy's presentation was incredible, she was energetic, and real. She demonstrated how it's ok to be vulnerable and acknowledge when things in life are not ok. She delivered an inspiring and moving presentation and left us with tools to equip ourselves to feel mentally empowered. The positive feedback we received from the attendees has been overwhelming. I highly recommend this session with Ivy and would absolutely book her for a future event.

Ivy did an amazing job of discussing her story and how it relates to what student-athletes are facing today. She is a vibrant speaker and was able to capture our whole staff with her creative ways of participation and offered solutions to problems that student-athletes deal with. She is energetic, passionate and I loved having her speak. I'm excited for our students to get to hear her speak.

Your presentation was AMAZING! You killed it! You delivered your story in a powerful way, and the suggestions and tools you gave us to work with were spot on.

Ivy Watts delivered an amazing presentation to the student-athletes of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Our student-athletes left the workshop inspired and empowered to find beauty and strength in who they are and what they accomplish daily.

Ivy was an AMAZING, engaging and relatable speaker for our student-athletes. Given the times we are as a country, student-athletes are struggling and having someone who could speak on their own struggles and make it align with what are student-athletes are going through was great. She was able to speak on the steps she took to overcome her mental health challenges and provide some quick steps for our student-athletes to do on a daily basis.

Wow, is my first thought! Thank you for sharing space, your story, and so many helpful tips and concepts surrounding mental health and wellness with our athletic department. I appreciate you for doing this work. Bates athletics will add to our success and greater awareness because of you.

Ivy was excellent with being honest, relatable, and creating a safe space to talk about a stigmatized topic. She did a fantastic job of showing how you're not alone and that there are so many resources and tools available. Ivy's passion for mental health was very empowering to hear. I was able to take away so much valuable information from her presentation that my teammates and I will be able to implement into our lives.

I’ve heard nothing but positive responses from students and staff members regarding your presentation. Your message was clear and the students heard it. I still think we have a ways to go with acknowledging mental health and creating a culture where people aren’t afraid to admit when they need help, but it is through messages like yours that we continue to break down that barrier.

Your story resonated so much with me. You were just so inspiring and honestly, just thank you so much for speaking to us tonight. Knowing that someone as inspirational and confident as you, has been there too, just makes me feel so much more secure. You are truly incredible.

Your presentation kicked off the day terrifically! You are dynamic, inspiring and genuine. We were very lucky to have you on campus speaking to the entire school!

I have heard dozens of speakers in my life, yours was by far the best speech I have ever heard.

Your talk helped to open my eyes and allowed me to see that I shouldn't degrade myself and that I should learn to love myself. I want to teach my future children this message that it is so important to love yourself early on in life. You reminded me that things can get better, even when things are difficult, recovery is possible. Thank you for coming today.

Thank you for sharing your inspirational story!! It was amazing and I am blessed to be able to hear the wise words you spoke. It truly helped me so much.

Your presentation helped me to feel as though I am not alone. You really opened my eyes and changed the way I view things in a good way... You made me realize that it is okay to not be okay.

I have attended this conference two years in a row, and you were by far the best speaker we have ever had. Thank you for sharing your story.

It was inspiring and empowering to hear you speak about mental health. For me, as a person of color, the affirmations and how you were able to speak your mind in front of a crowd, gave me hope. I admire your strength and wisdom. I too hope to one day spread help and awareness and give voices to the voiceless.

You are amazing!!  Yes, you've done amazing things, but you ARE amazing!  Your delivery and presentation were high energy, engaging and packed a punch!  My daughter is an A student where everything seems to be OK -- your speech will help me better approach her to see if she's really OK and how to let me know if she isn't. Thank you for your bravery to speak out and stand up!!​