Mental Wealth Transformation

Reframing Mental Health as a Pathway to Resilience and Fulfillment
For High-achieving College Students, Corporate Players & Creators 

Step Out of the Shadows and Into Your Strength

Ever feel...

  • Like you’re juggling so much that nothing feels manageable anymore?
  • Afraid that your anxiety or stress might hold you back from thriving in life or work?
  • Stuck in patterns of perfectionism, isolation, or self-doubt that leave you exhausted?
  • Disconnected from what makes you feel alive and truly yourself?

It doesn’t have to be this way.

I help high-achieving students and professionals uncover the hidden gifts within their struggles, transforming anxiety, depression, and stress into resilience, creativity, and personal fulfillment. Through keynotes, resources, and my Mental Wealth Substack, I offer fresh perspectives and actionable strategies to help you step out of the shadows and into your unique brilliance.

Lauren Polly leading a workshop on balancing ambition and well-being for entrepreneurs and creators.

I feel more 'me' and able to show up in the world without force or effort. Just more of an ease of being, rather than the hectic state of doing. Thank you Lauren!!"

~ Christine, CEO Inspired Network

Interview with PBS’s Jim Masters:

Emotional Intelligence, The Power of Empathy, Embracing Self-Awareness and the Gift in Our Differences

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Breaking Free From Labels

My Journey to Mental Wealth through Holistic Care and Energetic Psychology

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“A note to express my appreciation and gratitude for what you brought to Transport Topanga Literary Festival. It’s amazing to me that a person can be a container for so much transformation and still hold a brilliant, genuine smile and bounce in their step. Your triumph over doctors and labeling and pain is truly inspiring and educational. I hope our paths cross again.”

~ Kim, Director of Topanga Literary Festival

Substack Community Mental Wealth: Rethinking Mental Health

"Mental Wealth" challenges the status quo of mental health by exploring little-known and rarely talked-about perspectives. This is not your everyday advice—it’s a fresh approach to uncovering the hidden gifts and strengths within life’s struggles. Through personal stories, expert insights, and transformative tools, we’ll reframe anxiety, depression, and stress as pathways to resilience, self-discovery, and fulfillment. Together, we’ll shift the conversation from simply surviving to thriving with purpose and authenticity.

“Lauren is a wonder. When I began working with her, I wanted to rediscover my power. What I experienced was my true self and my body. These two things, opened me to an expanded awareness, which helped me to realize not only my true identity, but how I can use this to create possibilities. Working with Lauren is a wondrous adventure, and a gift that you give yourself.”

~ Renee, Author and Screenwriter, Oregon

Two images of Lauren Polly: the first shows her at a panel discussion on mental health and creativity at the Topanga Literary Festival, seated with other speakers as the host introduces them; the second shows her speaking to a student at a self-care workshop.
Lauren Polly speaking at a women's entrepreneurial event, holding her book and discussing the importance of using personal stories as a foundation for personal branding.

College Speaking Program Out of the Shadows: Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in College

College is an exciting yet overwhelming time. Between academic pressures, social expectations, and self-discovery, many students struggle with anxiety, depression, and stress. In this keynote, I share my personal journey of navigating college with a mental health diagnosis and uncovering the strengths hidden within life’s challenges.

Learning Points:

  • Understand anxiety as fear of the future and how to stay grounded in the present.
  • Recognize depression as isolation and conformity and rediscover joy in authenticity.
  • Reframe stress as external pressure misaligned with personal values and create inner balance.

“Lauren’s openness about the ups and downs of her own journey is so relatable. She reminded me that the world is ready for me as is, warts and all!”

~ Rebecca, Entrepreneur & Coach

“I was so surprised at how much we covered on the call! I left with so much clarity on what was holding me back and an acknowledgment of who I truly am and who I am already being!"

~ Cheryl, Healer & Yoga Teacher

Corporate Keynote & Workshop High Achievers, Hidden Struggles: Breaking Free from Anxiety ‘Lite’

High achievers often appear to have it all together, but many silently struggle with anxiety “lite,” perfectionism, and the pressure to succeed. This keynote redefines mental health as a strength, offering fresh insights into how individuals and teams can thrive by embracing vulnerability and authenticity.

Learning Points:

  • Identify and address the hidden struggles of anxiety, perfectionism, and over-control.
  • Transform challenges into strengths through self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
  • Foster a workplace culture that balances high performance with well-being.

“Lauren’s true gift lies in her ability to connect – whether that is one on one or in a group of 100+. I’ve sat in her presence in both circumstances and truly felt seen, heard, and inspired to take action on the tools she shares.”

~ LeAnn, HR Manager, Los Angeles

“I was impressed at Lauren’s vast knowledge base, real-life examples, and the simple tools she shared. I was particularly impressed that she invited group participation and fielded questions so that everyone got help on the issues that were directly impacting them. We all left with a lot of practical tips to help lead our team into healthier dynamics.”

~ Joe, Cardiac Rehab Manager, Los Angeles

Lauren Polly Speaking on Self-Care and Emotional Intelligence to Hospital Leaders

The Other Side of Bipolar Lauren’s Best-Selling & Multi-Award-Winning Book

The Other Side of Bipolar offers hope and a new perspective on mental illness that can help millions of people. A unique combination of memoir and self-help book, it invites us to reexamine our definitions of mental illness as a debilitating disease and consider other possibilities.

Cover of Lauren Polly's multi-award-winning and best-selling book, The Other Side of Bipolar.

“The Other Side of Bipolar sits apart from other autobiographical surveys of psychological struggles, offering readers the rare opportunity to explore and utilize many of the gifts formerly identified as disabilities. Any who have faced such a diagnosis will find this an inspiring, engrossing saga which offers hope, revelation, and much food for thought as it follows a journey that takes the identification of 'bipolar' and turns it upside down.”

~ Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“This intensely honest and insightful book is impossible to put down. From the first page, the story of this girl's struggle and courage drew me in so powerfully that I read the book in one sitting. I feel as if the author were a close personal friend, she is so soul-baring. Not only does she master the intensities of loneliness and being "other," she always shows compassion for everyone who was involved along the way. There is no blame or wrongness assigned to anyone. Soaring far above the hopes that even her family had for her, just to be able to survive and function, Lauren Polly is not only outwardly extremely successful, she has more awareness of herself and the world than most people. For those who have been given labels and who have been assumed to be less than or too different, this book is a lighthouse leading out of ostracism into possibility and joy. For those who have felt wrong, lonely and just out of place, this book shows how difference could be extra gifts and capacities, a greater contribution to our world. This is a hero's tale par excellence, which also happens to be a true story. I would add 5 more stars.”

~ Anonymous Amazon Review

Lauren’s Mission

I believe true success and fulfillment come from deeply understanding yourself, navigating your emotions with self-awareness, and embracing the unique gifts hidden within your challenges. My mission is to guide you in developing emotional intelligence as the foundation for your mental wealth—helping you unlock your strengths, embrace your uniqueness, and harness your creative potential. Together, we’ll transform life’s struggles into opportunities for growth, resilience, and meaningful connection, empowering you to thrive beyond labels and limitations, and create a life that truly reflects who you are.

“I am always captivated by Lauren’s unique ability to identify core issues with such dynamic awareness. In her presence, I immediately feel a sense of relaxation—it’s clear she has my back. Her openness about her failures, transforming them into strengths and opportunities, is truly inspiring. Being a part of her community and watching her navigate the adventure of life inspires me to discover my own truth and let my voice be heard.”

~ Stacey, Paris

Headshot of Lauren Polly sitting outside by a fountain, leaning toward the camera with a strong, confident gaze.

About Lauren

I’m Lauren Polly, MEd—a speaker, coach, and best-selling, multi-award-winning author. I help high achievers, creators, and teams transform anxiety, depression, and stress into opportunities for growth, resilience, and fulfillment. With over 20 years of experience in Communication Disorders, I’ve spent my career supporting people who struggle to express themselves and build meaningful connections. Through this work, I’ve learned that emotional intelligence and authentic self-awareness are the true “secret sauce” to success—not just in work, but in life itself.

In my own journey, which I share in my book The Other Side of Bipolar, I discovered a fresh perspective on mental health. I invite others to rethink mental illness—not as a limitation, but as an opportunity to unlock unique capacities and emotional intelligence. Through embracing what makes us different, going beyond labels, and tapping into our personal strengths, we can create a life that is not only fulfilling but one that reflects our authentic selves.

This shift in perspective is at the core of my work. I help individuals and organizations embrace their struggles, turning them into strengths and transforming mental health challenges into pathways to success. Whether through my speaking engagements, coaching, or writing, I’m here to help you uncover the power of emotional awareness and connection to thrive beyond what you ever thought possible.

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