Dr Mags Speaks

Be inspired by Dr Frank Magwegwe’s deeply personal story of setbacks, perseverance, adventure, and triumph. He takes audiences on an extraordinary journey – from his early days as a barman and fruit-and-vegetable vendor, through a period of unemployment and homelessness, to becoming a respected applied behavioural scientist and thought leader on wellbeing and resilience.

Research meets real life™. Some speakers bring inspiration. Others bring science. Dr Mags brings both – translating behavioural science into stories and strategies that feel real, useful, and do-able. His talks meet people where they are and help them take the next step forward.

Dr Mags brings authenticity, science, and heart to every engagement. He collaborates closely with event organisers to customise each talk, drawing on his research and lived experience to deliver messages that move, challenge, and inspire lasting change. His topics can be formatted for keynotes, workshops, masterclasses, webinars, and panel discussions. Below is a list of the most requested topics.

“I’m on a mission to help people thrive – come what may. To help them find their way through the hard times toward better days ahead. Because life’s goal isn’t just to live, but to truly thrive.” – Dr Mags

A powerful story of adversity and renewal that shows how meaning fuels resilience.

A deeply moving story of adversity, grit, and renewal – Dr Mags shares the lessons that shaped his life and research on resilience, hope, and personal mastery.

In this keynote, we will:

• Explore how setbacks can become catalysts for growth and reinvention.
• Identify the habits and mindsets that build everyday resilience.
• Understand the psychology of purpose and its role in sustainable success.
• Discover how meaning, not circumstances, determines our ability to rise again.

Building resilient teams through empathy, compassion, and humane leadership.

Practical insights on humane leadership – where empathy, ethics, and performance intersect – drawn from research, neuroscience, and Dr Mags’s real-world experience developing resilient teams.

In this keynote, we will:

• Examine why compassion and psychological safety are the foundation of high-performing teams.
• Learn how leaders can cultivate resilience – in themselves and across their teams – during times of pressure and change.
• Explore the neuroscience of empathy, trust, and connection in team dynamics.
• Gain tools for creating a culture of care and accountability where people and performance thrive together.

Evidence-based habits and frameworks that help people and teams flourish every day.

An evidence-based exploration of how mindset, relationships, and daily habits influence wellbeing, resilience, and long-term success – for individuals, leaders, and teams alike.

In this keynote, we will:

• Translate cutting-edge wellbeing research into simple, sustainable habits for individuals and teams.
• Understand how stress, recovery, and connection shape both personal and team performance.
• Explore frameworks such as PERMA and psychological safety to build thriving teams.
• Learn practical tools to enhance energy, engagement, and fulfillment in fast-changing workplaces.

Why financial wellbeing is foundational to mental health, performance, and resilience.

Why financial wellbeing is an essential part of overall wellbeing – and how improving it benefits both individuals and organisations.

In this keynote, we will:

• Explore the emotional and behavioural sides of money – and how financial stress affects focus, engagement, and mental health.
• Learn practical frameworks for spending, saving, borrowing, and planning that build financial confidence and control.
• Understand the link between employee financial wellbeing and organisational success. 
• Discover strategies leaders can use to foster financial wellbeing, thriving teams and workplaces.

The science and spirit of generosity – why lifting others lifts you too.

A reflective and inspiring talk on how giving, empathy, and helping others create meaning, strengthen culture, and enhance individual and organisational outcomes.

In this keynote, we will:

• Explore the neuroscience and psychology of generosity and its link to happiness, wellbeing, and leadership effectiveness.
• Understand why “mattering” – the belief that we are seen, heard, and valued – is essential for thriving individuals and teams.
• Learn how purpose-driven leadership fuels engagement, loyalty, and long-term organisational success.
• Identify practical ways to “lift others as you rise” – fostering communities and workplaces rooted in empathy and shared growth.

Practical behavioural science for navigating uncertainty with calm, clarity, and courage.

How to navigate change with calm, clarity, and courage – translating behavioural science into practical tools for individuals, leaders, and teams to thrive amid uncertainty.

In this keynote, we will:

• Explore the psychology and neuroscience of change – why humans resist it and how to build adaptability.
• Learn strategies for maintaining emotional balance, focus, and hope during transitions.
• Understand how leaders can create environments that support learning, trust, and team resilience.
• Apply evidence-based frameworks for driving lasting transformation at both the individual and organisational level.

Breaking stigma, building strength – because mental health belongs to all of us.

A deeply relatable and science-grounded talk that redefines what it means to care for your mind. Drawing on his own mental health journey, Dr Mags brings honesty, humour, and hope to one of today’s most urgent conversations.

In this keynote, we will:

• Challenge common myths and stigma surrounding mental health – especially in professional and leadership settings.
• Explore what neuroscience teaches us about stress, burnout, and emotional regulation.
• Learn everyday tools to protect and strengthen mental health at work and at home.
• Understand how compassion, conversation, and connection can transform workplaces and communities.