156. Transforming Setbacks into Triumphs Using Optimism, with Jess Ekstrom

Most optimism advice treats burnout like a personal failure. Keynote speaker Jess Ekstrom knows it’s the tax you pay when you’re chasing big goals the wrong way.

Today, I’m talking with the author of Making It Without Losing It (out May 5!) and a go-to voice for Women’s History Month keynotes, about optimism as a strategy, resilience after fraud and failure, and how to “make it” without torching your mental health.

This conversation hits any time you’re asking, “How do I keep going without losing myself?”

From losing a family loan to rebuilding a mission-driven company, Jess gets honest about the messy middle and how to keep moving without burning out.

Why this delivers impact for event pros:

✅ Optimism as a performance tool – Jess reframes optimism as “inspiration from frustration”: sitting in the hard stuff, then using it as fuel to solve real problems instead of faking positivity.
✅ Real resilience, not highlight reels – How sharing the messy middle (fraud, failure, court dates) makes leaders more relatable—and why audiences are done with perfectly polished success stories.
✅ Redefining success so it doesn’t eat you alive – Practical questions to balance ambition and contentment: What am I chasing? Who is it for? What is enough for me and my team right now?
✅ Playing the game at a higher level – A mindset shift that turns constant problems, emails, and hard calls into proof you’re “in the game,” not proof you’re failing.
✅ Designing 1%-more moments at live events – Why in-person keynotes still matter in an AI world, and how small phrases (like Jess’s “1% more”) can quietly change how attendees work and live long after the event.

🎤 Check out Jess Ekstrom’s keynote speaker profile here.

🚀 Programming optimism, resilience, or Women’s History Month content for your next agenda? Partner with The Keynote Curators to bring voices like Jess to your mainstage.

📞 Schedule a 15-minute strategy call to find the right keynote fit.

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