Kelly Mcgonigal

Kelly McGonigal is a psychologist, author and teacher whose work offers science-help for a more meaningful, connected life. She believes it is possible to experience hope, joy and meaning even when life is difficult, and that the best way there is to connect with one another and with something bigger than ourselves.

She describes herself as a teacher at heart. Her books grew out of classes she has taught at Stanford University: The Willpower Instinct came from "The Science of Willpower," The Upside of Stress began as "Living Well with Stress," and her latest book, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking, expands on her online course "The Science and Practice of Joy." The Joy of Movement explores how physical exercise can be an antidote to depression, anxiety and loneliness. It is rooted in her experience leading group exercise classes, which she began as a graduate student in psychology. Her 2013 TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," started as a lecture for Stanford's Introduction to Psychology course.

Through the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, she helped create the Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training, a course now taught around the world. Her public work has included serving as psychology consultant for The New York Times Education Initiative, interviewing scientists and authors for City Arts & Lectures, hosting the How to Think Like a Psychologist podcast, and creating courses for Sounds True, AARP and 10% Happier.

She teaches drop-in dance classes in Palo Alto and at Stanford, and offers online courses through Stanford Continuing Studies. She also supports education and animal rescue. Both of her parents were public school teachers.