Mitch Wallis
PROFILE
Mitch is one of the top global thought leads in psychology, with a lifelong mission to ‘change the way the world feels’.
His goal is to transform the lives of 1 billion people to be more mentally healthy through his educational platforms, inspiring talks and social impact organisations he’s involved with.
After working at Microsoft for almost 7 years, he left his successful corporate career to devote himself full-time to helping people overcome suffering and reimagine the healing potential of the mind.
His focus is on three core pillars: Human Connection, Emotional Fortitude, and Mindful High Performance, with the common through-line in all of his work being: “go toward the pain”.
Mitch is a mental health expert – holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University in New York, and he has over 2 decades of lived experience with mental ill health including anxiety, depression and OCD. He has accrued countless hours of experience researching and delivering evidence based emotional wellbeing practices.
He is most well known for being the founder of Heart On My Sleeve – a leading global mental health movement that helps people drop the brave face and be real about how they feel.
He is the creator of “Real Conversations” – an interpersonal relationship program that transforms workplace culture and family systems toward psychological safety through emotionally intelligent communication skills. He’s delivered workshops to C-level executives on over 4 continents. As an accomplished keynote speaker having delivered talks to tens of thousands of people, including some of the most recognised companies in the world such as American Express, Amazon, Google, KPMG, and dozens more.
He has been an advisor to the United Nations on the topic of youth mental health and won a Man of Impact award by GQ. He was appointed the first-ever ambassador for the Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association and is currently an expert advisor to the Corporate Mental Health Alliance. He’s been named a Westfield Local Hero and was featured in B&T’s Top 10 Social Changemakers in Australia. He’s been featured in wellbeing campaigns by the likes of Allianz and LinkedIn, and featured in top news publications like Sky News, Huffington Post and Channel 10’s The Project.
He is accredited in Mental Health First Aid and a trained Lifeline crisis supporter. Mitch runs a popular podcast that has featured guests from Harvard Psychologists, media personalities, and world-class Olympians. His social media videos have reached millions of people and he received the award for “most inspiring mental health video of the year”.
Mitch also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Sydney. He is involved with multiple social impact ventures including Heaps Normal (Australia’s #1 non-alcoholic craft beer), Calm Water stress reduction supplement, and many others.
He shares with us what it means to be human.
SPEAKING TOPICS
SUPPORTING OTHERS. Real Conversations - the counterintuitive approach to being truly supportive, by learning to "sit in the mud".
We think that talking and connecting are the same thing. It turns out that they are completely different. Very few people know how to actually connect … until now.
Healthy relationships are the heartbeat of life, including business. In our day to day interactions with our team and/or coworkers, we are often faced with the confronting reality of supporting people who are going through difficult times. Its common to feel confused about what to say or do, overcome with fear of getting it wrong, or riddled with guilt that we might make things worse. If that resonates with you, hire this mental health expert who has helped 10,000+ people in similar situations learn a new way to connect with confidence.
In this keynote, Mitch shares core insights from his proprietary framework which has been adopted and trusted by some of the world’s biggest companies to boost psychological safety and facilitate conversations that truly move the needle.
Topics and outcomes
- Mitch’s mental health story and the core insight he gained after recovering from a life -threatening emotional breakdown.
- The #1 insight that separates helpful/unhelpful conversations that positively transforms the dynamic of personal and professional relationships.
- What NOT to do: How to avoid the 5 core mistakes that push people away and fractures connection, even when you’re trying to be supportive.
- What TO do: How to implement 5 proven tools that unlock unprecedented trust and promote nervous system regulation, without becoming their therapist or exceeding your boundaries in the process.
Best for:
Mental Health Awareness Days
Hosting this keynote during important commemorations like RUOK Day, World Mental Health Day or Mental Health Month helps reinforce your organization’s commitment to psychological wellbeing and equips employees with practical tools for real conversations.
Leadership & Team Development
Ideal for leadership development days or team – building events, this talk enhances communication skills, strengthens team dynamics, and fosters a culture of trust and psychological safety within the workplace.
Strategic Offsites & Annual Gatherings
A perfect addition to team offsites or annual gatherings, this session helps align teams on the importance of emotional intelligence, resilience, and supportive conversations, driving long-term cultural change.
Industry Conferences & Association Events
Designed for sectors with high customer interaction, this keynote is invaluable for professionals in retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, financial services, emergency response and dozens more – where staff frequently handle clients in distress without the proper tools to navigate tough conversations effectively.
SUPPORTING SELF. Toward the Pain - Cultivating resilience amidst uncertainty to overcome any obstacle. How to double your nervous system capacity by strengthening your emotional fortitude
Statistics show that nearly half of us will experience a mental health issue at some point in our lives, and all of us know what it’s like to not be ok from time to time. Navigating life’s ups and downs isn’t always easy, but with the right help, we can grow and thrive. The first step to emotional well-being is to feel understood.
In this keynote, Mitch provides a platform for every person in the room to realise they are not alone. This talk is designed to eradicate stigma and increase awareness and understanding of mental health, fostering a deeper appreciation for the experiences of others that may not be well understood at present.
It offers educational soundbites that can be applied immediately after leaving the room, helping individuals improve their state of mind and cultivate long-lasting emotional stability.
Topics and outcomes
The 3 ingredients necessary to get out of the “stuck cycle” and reorientate our perspective toward growth (not surviving)
The 4 truths about mental health that removes the “them vs. us mentality” with a clear north star to aim for in our personal lives
10 resilience tools that form the ultimate mental health toolkit that enables ANYONE to improve the strength of their nervous system
The #1 call-to-action that motivates people to step forward and take charge of their internal world
Best for
Company-Wide Wellbeing Events –perfect for organisations aiming to inspire resilience during times of high change, helping employees navigate uncertainty with practical tools.
Inspirational Conferences –ideal for events that aim to leave attendees inspired and motivated to adopt new, positive behaviours by sharing groundbreaking science and compelling stories.
Cultural Milestones –a meaningful addition to events that mark significant cultural moments, such as Men’s Mental Health Week or International Women’s Day, helping participants develop personal resilience.
People Manager Offsites –essential for leaders and managers to learn self -care strategies that enable them to support their teams effectively during challenging times
