Robin Shear

Robin Shear is a global keynote speaker, author of Messy Joy, founder of Joy To The World Coaching, and likely the only joy coach you will ever meet. She will bring laughter and purpose back to your burned-out audience! She has spent decades helping depleted givers like health care professionals, educators, parents, and executives feel joy so they can give from a place of fullness and lead effectively again. Why would TIME Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Psychology Today want to interview a joy coach from a village of under 1,000 people? Because Robin’s message of how to choose joy when life’s messy is universal.

Robin delights in the fact that her elementary report cards read “Robin talks too much,” because her former teachers are now among her biggest professional speaking fans. Her speaking clients have included TEDxDetroit, MPI, PCMA, CEMA, Northstar Meetings Group, Smart Meetings, National Head Start Association, and many others. She recently shared joy from stage in South Africa at the world's only international conference for life skills professionals.

Robin is known for fun and engaging presentations with memorable audience interaction. Attendees often declare they have never laughed that much at a conference, and they walk away inspired to take action that enriches their lives – and, because joy is contagious, the lives of others. Participants frequently state, “I’ve never had that much fun learning before,” “90 minutes with Robin weren’t enough,” and “Robin kept us engaged the whole time.” One grateful nonprofit meeting planner said, “Thank you, Robin, for helping lift the spirits and bringing laughter back into the lives of our dedicated, hardworking, committed staff, as well as the property managers, local housing officials, and compliance specialists who participated in our Annual Industry Conference! It truly was a gift to be part of a room filled with over 100 professionals whom you inspired to dance and sing and share joy. You helped create a bubble of safety and trust among us that helps us all navigate this rewarding but demanding work to address the needs of thousands. I believe that your time with us has made a positive impact on our colleagues throughout the industry and that they left feeling SEEN and more appreciated. Thank you for the gifts of your time and talent and open heart!!” Audience testimonials are available upon request.

Please see Robin’s list of speaking topics if your workplace or group feels like it’s running on empty, is disconnected and fragmented, struggling to bounce back, or pressed for time and in need of a joy boost on a regular basis.

Why does Robin want people to have more joy? Here comes the backstory, cue the music: Sharing her exuberance was natural for Robin until she faced several hidden health issues and her zest for living became a choice. Within a 4-year span, she attempted 26 distinct treatments for chronic pain, was diagnosed with PTSD after 20 years of night terrors, had a gut health condition that meant eliminating most of her favorite foods, found one of her most important relationships in a nearly broken state, and suffered a head injury that took 21 times longer to heal than doctors predicted. Yet, joy was possible. Her book, Messy Joy: How Joy Can Begin Before Your Difficulties End, chronicles her journey and helps readers know how they can find joy when their circumstances are difficult. It includes 232 journal questions for readers to apply the book’s messages to their own lives. While she never intended to publish it, receiving offers from seven publishers convinced Robin her story needed to be released to help others find joy despite living imperfect lives. Within weeks of its release with no formal launch plan, Messy Joy was named the #1 New Release in the Christian Self-Help category on Amazon. It appeals to readers of all faith backgrounds and keeps your organization’s positive momentum going long after an event ends.

Robin has served in many professional roles, including registered dietitian teaching at the college level and specializing in eating disorder treatment, youth pastor and developer of two vibrant youth programs, and life enrichment team member at senior living communities including two for people with dementia. She found that infusing joy was the key to improving life for each of these populations.

Robin is the president-elect of NSA Michigan and was given NSA Michigan's Chapter Member of the Year Award in 2024. She has been named a PCMA Leading Class Speaker, ITA Group's Trending Keynote Speaker, and a Top 5 Event Influencer from pc/nametag. She was designated as a Global Presence Ambassador by Parenting 2.0, an international consciousness movement that promotes proactive education for life skills. She and her husband have two adult children and a very attention-starved goldendoodle.