Reclaim Your Strength and Embrace Your Potential
Guiding College Students, Professionals, and Creatives Through Mental Health Transformation
Step Out of the Shadows and Into Your Strength
Ever feel...
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.
As Seen In
“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
Breaking Free From Labels
My Journey to Mental Wealth through Holistic Care and Energetic Psychology
“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
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
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.
“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
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.