Helping Schools, Higher Ed, and HR Create Safer, More Supportive Communities
Inspirational Keynotes and workshops rooted in lived experience that address the core of prevention, better mental health, and true community connection and resilience.
UCI CARE
"Thank you for joining us and sharing your story and knowledge! Hearing your story was enlightening for my students."
- M. Schnapp, M.A., Assistant Director, Sorority & Fraternity Life at UCI
The Inland Gateway Assoc. Of Realtors
"Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story and tips to implement into our lives. We are in awe of how you have turned your pain into a career to make the world a better place."
- J. Mercer, Dir. of Exec. Admin at IGAR
Method Charter School
"Mandi's motivating story and conversational style left an indelible impression. The message that we can overcome and rise above our difficult circumstances was empowering."
- J. WIersma., Events Coordinator
Inspirational Keynotes and Professional Development Workshops
Whether you’re looking for an Inspirational Keynote Story that captivates and motivates, or a Professional Development workshop from a Lived Experience Expert and Certified Victim Advocate with field experience, Mandi equips audiences with not just motivation, but practical strategies and resources.
Engaging, inspirational, motivational, transformational, and unforgettable!
Drawing on her own headline-making story that leaves audiences in awe, she combines real-life lessons with actionable strategies. From trusting intuition to building and maintaining boundaries, Mandi helps students and leaders navigate uncertainty, strengthen connections, and thrive with confidence.
MY APPROACH
From Hypervigilance to Hope
I know what it's like to live on high alert. When the FBI showed up at my door and our story hit the nightly news, I had to find my way back to peace and safety.
Mental Wellness. Resilience. Leadership.
As a certified victim advocate and lived experience expert, I help Schools | Workplaces | Campuses | Community Groups:
Build resilience to overcome challenges and bounce back from setbacks
Trust their intuition so they can lead better and make more confident decisions
Build more capacity to reduce stress, overwhelm, and hypervigilance
Practice self-compassion and simple tools that support everyday well-being
Real story. Real tools. People leave feeling lighter, with strategies they can use NOW.
Let's chat now to empower and motivate YOUR group to create a safer, more supportive community!
How I can help you
SPEAKING
Engaging keynotes that inspire, motivate, and equip your audience to navigate uncertainty, trust their intuition, and lead with confidence.
WORKSHOPS
Interactive workshops that give participants practical life skills, tools, and strategies they can use immediately.
PODCAST
Aware and Prepared podcast on Apple, Spotify, and more for insights, stories, and strategies to live safer with more peace.
New Podcast Episodes with Show Notes
How to Ask Someone If They're Thinking About Suicide
How do you know if someone you love is thinking about suicide, and what do you actually say if they are? Hear the real warning signs (not what you think), the exact language to use, how to ask someone... ...more
Podcast
September 22, 2026•2 min read
What Does It Actually Take to Get Out of Hypervigilance?
Ever notice you can't just think your way into calm? In this follow-up to last week's episode on Complex PTSD Awareness Month, Mandi breaks down what's actually happening in the brain during hypervigi... ...more
Podcast
September 15, 2026•2 min read
What's the Real Difference Between PTSD and Complex PTSD?
How is complex PTSD different than PTSD? What do invisible struggles look like in the workplace? Hear the language and tools to respond supportively. Hear the brain science behind hypervigilance. For ... ...more
Podcast
September 01, 2026•2 min read
22 Safety Tips Every College Freshman Needs to Know Especially During The "Red Zone"
The "red zone" is the stretch from move-in day through Thanksgiving break when first-year college students are statistically most likely to experience sexual assault. 73% of victims know their attacke... ...more
Podcast
August 26, 2026•2 min read
A Mother's Worst Nightmare Became Her Mission: Making Sexual Assault Reporting Less Traumatic
Trauma-informed soft interview rooms that make reporting less traumatic and Beloved Bundles that help sexual assault survivors leave hospitals with dignity after a forensic exam. Hear the story behind... ...more
Podcast
August 18, 2026•1 min read
Teaching Kids Boundaries: Prevention Skills That Start Early
This episode breaks down how early prevention education actually works in the classroom, why the word "no" isn't mean, and how parents and teachers can bring these same lessons home through an eight-b... ...more
Podcast
August 11, 2026•2 min read
"I loved having real takeaways that I can use in real life."
- Attendee, Institute on Violence Abuse and Trauma Summit
TAKE THE QUIZ
Find Out How Well You Listen To Your Intuition
How many times have you heard "trust your intuition" but do you rationalize it away? Take this short, yet helpful quiz to find out how well you are trusting your intuition:
FREE DOWNLOAD
Headline that hooks people in, gets them excited and makes them want to sign up.
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