Growing up in a Black family, Ivy was raised feeling the stigma surrounding seeking mental health support, and because of this, never thought that she could be someone who struggled with her own mental health. However, that struggle had been occurring her entire life, apparent early on through physical warning signs such as stomach aches, headaches, and trembling. Ivy’s struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, lack of self-esteem, lack of self-worth, and depression only grew throughout middle school, high school, and college. As an All-American track and field athlete and a top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, she was able to hide her mental health struggle behind the perfect persona she had created for herself, as she was too ashamed to speak up, due to the stigma she had grown up believing.

It wasn’t until years after college that Ivy had a conversation with a friend that changed her life and finally got her the help she needed through therapy. This friend was open about their own struggle and about the benefits of therapy, and this conversation finally began to break down the stigma that only led Ivy to struggle in silence for years.

This major life change pushed Ivy to want to make a difference in empowering others to see the strength in speaking up and seeking help, as well as pushed her to understand how being relatable about our mental health can help break the stigma. Ivy began blogging about her own mental health journey and sharing tools for positivity, self-love and self-care through her blog, Beautifully Simply You. She also began her own speaking business, Ivy Watts Speaks, where she empowers others to speak their truths, know that they are not alone, learn the beauty of self-love, and find strength to keep fighting for their tomorrows. Ivy is also the author of “You Are Worth Fighting For,” a transformative book providing valuable tools for introspection, fostering mental wellness, and cultivating self-love.

As a Black female who experienced immense pressure from juggling sports, school and personal life, Ivy’s talks are engaging, interactive and relatable. Ivy continues to be open about her current mental health struggle including postpartum mental health, single motherhood, divorce, grief, and loss to demonstrate to attendees that although healing is not linear, we have the tools within us and around us to get through difficult times. Attendees will leave feeling empowered to seek help, know that they are not alone and will also learn tangible tools for self-care and mental wellness for all stages of their lives. Through her impactful work, Ivy has empowered over 100,000 students, administrators, coaches, parents, and employees, instilling in them the profound importance of self-love and self-care, both for personal well-being and as a means of supporting others.

Ivy has her degree in psychology from University of New Haven and her Masters in Public Health from Boston University. Ivy is certified in Mental Health First Aid and QPR Training. Ivy also has received the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Wellness Partner of the Year Award in 2021.