Lecturer in Management at Stanford University, Author of 『The Joy of Movement: How exercise helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage』 and 『The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You』, and 『How to Get Good at It』, Named One of Forbes’ 20 Most Inspiring Women
Kelly MCGONIGAL is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University who specializes in understanding the mind-body connection. As a pioneer in the field of "science-help," her mission is to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies that support personal well-being and strengthen communities.
She is the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress. You might also know her from her TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," which is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time, with over 20 million views.
Through the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, she helped create Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training, a program now taught around the world that helps individuals strengthen their empathy, compassion, and self-compassion.
In January 2020, Oprah Magazine honored her ability to “transform scientific data into wisdom” by naming MCGONIGAL the first ever O! Visionary, people whose groundbreaking way of seeing the world mean a better future for us all.
Her new book, The Joy of Movement, explores why physical exercise is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.