Award-winning wellbeing specialist, author and TEDx speaker

Overview

Lauren Parsons is one of New Zealand's most decorated keynote speakers — NZ Keynote Speaker of the Year and Educator of the Year for 2023/24 (Professional Speakers Association), one of only a handful of Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP) in NZ, and one of fewer than 100 Toastmasters Accredited Speakers worldwide. She specialises in helping leaders and teams find the sweet spot between wellbeing and productivity.

Who is Lauren Parsons? Manawatū-based and a military wife of more than 20 years, Lauren has lived through 15 family moves including stints in France, Canada and Australia. She is a TEDx speaker (Snack on Exercise: Boost Your Brain, Body & Mood), founder of the Snack on Exercise movement, host of the Thrive TV Show & Podcast, and author of three books — Real Food Less Fuss, Seven Fitness Myths to Overcome and Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams. She holds a business degree and postgraduate diploma in HR and has worked in the wellness industry for more than 20 years.

Career Highlights • NZ Keynote Speaker of the Year, 2023/24 (Professional Speakers Association) • NZ Educator of the Year, 2023/24 • Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and Toastmasters Accredited Speaker • Author of Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams plus two earlier books • TEDx speaker, founder of Snack on Exercise, host of Thrive TV Show & Podcast • Trusted by ANZ, Harcourts, ASMIRT and many NZ and international organisations

Key Speaking Themes • Workplace wellbeing and productivity (the "sweet spot") • Resilience, stress and burnout prevention • Leading thriving teams and positive workplace cultures • Energy, focus and high performance habits • Change and how to respond rather than react

What Your Audience Will Gain Lauren is high-energy, warm and brilliantly engaging. Audiences leave with practical, time-saving strategies they can use immediately — and a measurable shift in energy and outlook by the end of the session.

Ideal For • Leadership and CEO conferences • Wellbeing, HR and EAP forums • Sales kick-offs and team offsites • Industry conferences and awards nights • Education, professional development and events industry

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Lauren Parsons speak about? Workplace wellbeing, productivity, leadership, resilience, burnout prevention and creating thriving team cultures.

What awards has Lauren Parsons won? NZ Keynote Speaker of the Year (2023/24), NZ Educator of the Year (2023/24), Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and Toastmasters Accredited Speaker.

What is Lauren Parsons' book? Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams, plus earlier titles Real Food Less Fuss and Seven Fitness Myths to Overcome.

What is Snack on Exercise? Lauren's TEDx-talk concept and movement — short bursts of movement throughout the day to boost brain, body and mood, particularly useful for busy professionals.

Who has Lauren Parsons worked with? Major clients include ANZ, Harcourts, ASMIRT, plus many corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations across NZ and internationally.

Is Lauren Parsons available for keynotes and workshops? Yes. Lauren delivers keynotes, workshops, leadership programmes and conference MC roles across NZ, Australia and internationally.