Tianna Faye Soto
Tianna Faye Soto is a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese storyteller who empowers students to care for their mental health and wellness and confidently face the college journey. Her work is heart-centered, service-driven, culturally informed, and rooted in empathy.
TOPICS
- Mental Health
- Women’s Empowerment
- Health & Wellness
- Self-Esteem
- First-Generation Students
- Latinx Focused
- Multicultural Focused
KEYNOTES
Getting to know
Tianna Faye Soto
Tianna is a keynote speaker and journalist based in New York City. With expertise in mental health and wellness, Tianna is dedicated to empowering college students to face their journey with clarity and confidence. Her work has been featured by The United Nations Foundation, Cosmopolitan, and Elite Daily. She currently is the Associate Health & Wellness Editor at Women’s Health.
Through her work, Tianna shares practical guidance for mental health and wellness and encourages audiences to honor and embrace their personal stories. Her work is heart-centered, service-driven, culturally informed, and rooted in empathy.
Tianna holds a Master of Arts in Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Columbia University and degrees in Psychology and Spanish from NC State University. Additionally, she is a certified yoga and meditation instructor and wellness consultant who works with clients to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.
As a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese woman, Tianna understands what it’s like to exist between worlds. She encourages students to celebrate and embrace their backgrounds and be proud of their unique stories. Her work is heart-centered, service-driven, culturally informed, and rooted in empathy.
Tianna holds a Master of Arts in Psychology in Education from Columbia University, where she graduated from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute (SMBI). She holds a BA in Psychology and BA in Spanish Language & Literature from North Carolina State University. Additionally, she is a 200-Hour certified yoga teacher and mindfulness facilitator who supports diverse clients through coaching and mentorship.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
To help you promote your event with Tianna, CAMPUSPEAK has created promotional templates you can use. In this folder, you will find resources for social media, a promotional poster for printing, and press photos you can use for your event.
Link to Promotional Materials
LOGISTICAL MATERIALS
Below you will find logistical resources for the day of your event with Tianna.
In-Person AV Needs (PDF)
Speaking Introduction (PDF)
It’s been about four years since I took the leap and started working as a writer and keynote speaker. Feeling so proud lately 🌸
Every season of this journey has been a roller coaster, from traveling to almost all 50 states to living on the road and working out of hotel rooms in between gigs. I continue to meet the most amazing humans who inspire me every day and push me to be better.
Many people assume that creative jobs are glamorous, flexible, and fancy (they totally can be!), but behind the scenes, following your dreams—whatever they may look like—takes tremendous effort, resilience, and heart. I couldn’t do it without my team, mentors, and loved ones who understand and accept the path I chose—especially after the long, tiring days when all I want is a chocolate chip cookie and sleep.
I’m beyond grateful to be a wellness journalist and educator with an opportunity to touch people. I always say that my work is heart-centered, service-driven, and rooted in empathy. Whether we cross paths in person or you find my words online, I hope you feel less alone. 🖤
For anyone reading this who is also chasing big dreams, keep going. You’ve got this. Remember who you are.
things I’ve been working on lately: taking deep breaths. slowing down. loving my body for what it can do, not how it looks. making peace with my mind. enjoying quiet moments. saying yes to things that excite me. saying no when I don’t have the bandwidth. letting go of expectations & just being present. reading for pleasure. knowing my worth. remembering that joy is a feeling that deserves a place in my life more often. trusting the journey & choosing self-love, over and over again 🤍
nearly a month into my @womenshealthmag adventure as associate health & wellness editor. I can’t believe it’s all real. also was told it’s time to take a #hearstelevatorselfie, so here are four. celebrating! pinching myself! full of gratitude! ok bye 🖤
Smiling so hard. I’m officially the Associate Health & Wellness Editor @womenshealthmag, a publication I grew up reading on my bedroom floor 🥹 I truly can’t wait to help shape coverage at an iconic publication that reaches so many readers around the world. I’ll be working across digital and the print magazine, which is a dream come true for younger T who imagined seeing her name in the masthead someday. To everyone who continues to support my work: thank you. I’m over the moon for what’s to come. ✨
new year’s eve is my favorite holiday. I love the nostalgia, champagne toasts, and celebration of a fresh start. I love taking time to reflect and honor the people, experiences, and little moments that made me feel. this year, I learned how to trust my path. I was reminded that movement, travel, friendship, & laughter are medicine. I’m so thankful for my body, my career, & my support system for keeping me grounded. I’m grateful for hope. thank you 2023 for reminding me what it means to be human. I’m the luckiest. see you next year ✨
hi, golden hour ✨ it turns out sunsets, yummy food, & being on island time with friends is exactly what the doctor ordered.
the past few years have been tiring for me in many ways, but this trip felt like a shot of espresso. I’ve laughed until I cried. eaten more maduros than I can count. danced, hiked, swam, sang, & had heart-to-hearts that felt like a balm to the soul.
at the same time, this trip felt personal. being puerto rican, I always dreamed of seeing la isla del encanto and experiencing my culture up close. there is so much I have to say about what I learned. but for now, I’m simply proud to be part of a community that is passionate, hospitable, expressive, creative, diverse, & resilient. I’ve always felt proud & connected to my heritage, but that feels even stronger now.
when life feels heavy or uncertain, sometimes, it takes a change in scenery (& amazing friends) to remind you who you are. grateful for this week in puerto rico & the reminder that life is sweet 🫶🏼
today is my 29th birthday 🖤 and oh my, I have much to be grateful for this year. my first year as a full-time solopreneur. starting my lil wellness page @healwithtianna. leading incredible events around the country with @campuspeak. serving on the board of @twloha. landing bylines in dream publications like @cosmopolitan, @womenshealth, & more. rekindling my relationship with running thanks to @nyrr. finding community in unexpected places. above all, I’ve learned how to heal, show up for myself, & how to enjoy the moment. every day I try to honor my younger self who used to dream of this life. thank you for being on the ride with me. here’s to another beautiful year ✨
SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY About Tianna Faye Soto!
KEYNOTES
Stress, Success, & Duck Syndrome
All-nighters, jam-packed schedules, and overflowing cups of coffee. It’s no secret that being a college student these days can feel overwhelming. As the first in her family to attend college, Tianna knows what it’s like to juggle multiple majors, roles, and responsibilities while secretly struggling with anxiety, burnout, and perfectionism. One day, she discovered a term for what she was experiencing — “duck syndrome” — a common phenomenon where college students appear cool and calm on the surface while paddling hard underneath.
Tianna’s journey to self-care began during her senior year of college when she learned to overcome duck syndrome through holistic wellness. Since then, Tianna has been on a mission to connect with students and ensure that they’re equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to navigate the ups and downs of college life. In this program, Tianna teaches students how to care for their mental health and wellness through a holistic lens, and offers practical wisdom for how to navigate the college journey with clarity and confidence.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- What duck syndrome is, and how it may be hindering their mental health & wellness
- How to recognize signs of duck syndrome when they arise
- Tangible wellness tools to combat stress, anxiety, and burnout
- How to reframe their idea of success and navigate college with clarity and confidence
Living Between Worlds
As a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese woman born and raised in the south in a family of New Yorkers, Tianna understands what it’s like to exist between worlds. Apart from being a multiethnic woman, she has also existed between many worlds and professions, like music, mental health, media, and advocacy. Time and time again, Tianna has discovered that the more we embrace and celebrate our unique identity, the greater opportunity we have to serve others.
Regardless of your background or upbringing, exploring identity is a key part of the college student experience. It can often be the most challenging aspect of navigating college life, with the rise of important questions like “Who am I?”, “What do I stand for?”, “What kind of life do I want to lead?”. When you feel empowered to explore your personal story and can celebrate who you are, you give others a safe space to do the same.
In this program, Tianna invites students into her world as a person with multiple intersecting identities while encouraging students to reflect on their own personal narratives. Through storytelling, a touch of humor, and a warm, encouraging tone, Tianna inspires students to explore their personal identity, celebrate the journey, and feel confident in their unique strengths.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- Why it’s crucial to reflect on their identity, especially when it feels uncomfortable
- How addressing identity and personal narrative can transform the college experience
- How to thoughtfully explore conversations around identity with friends, family, and peers
- How to explore, write, and share their personal narratives in a way that feels authentic and empowering
Boost Your Happiness
When asked what they want out of life, many people will say “I just want to be happy.” But the truth is, there’s seldom a roadmap for how to get there. Happiness itself can feel like a cliche — it sounds amazing in theory, but what does it actually look like in practice? How do you go from surviving, and barely going through the motions of life, to thriving and experiencing true happiness?
For college students, this journey can feel particularly tough. With a brand new environment, evolving social circles, and constant pressure to perform well, it’s easy for students to lose sight of their well-being as they simply try to stay afloat. Happiness can feel challenging, even unattainable, as they navigate the highs and lows of college life.
Luckily, a roadmap exists — and it’s practical, fun, and backed by science. Positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. If you can learn to harness the power of these five elements, the possibilities are endless for your long-term happiness, well-being, and resilience. This is positive psychology, and this is the science of happiness.
In this interactive program, Tianna shares how the positive psychology movement can help college students go from barely surviving to thriving so they can truly enjoy their college experience. Through experiential activities that demonstrate the power of positive psychology, Tianna inspires students to engage with the science of happiness to feel confident, aligned, and empowered.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- The history and science behind the positive psychology movement and how it can help students thrive, not just survive
- The five core elements of psychological well-being (PERMA) and how each element can lead to long-term happiness
- How practices like gratitude, mindfulness, reverse bucket lists, and character strengths can boost confidence, happiness, and resilience over the long term
- How to uncover meaning in everyday life and start living passionately with purpose
RUNNING With Wolves
Within every woman, there is a powerful force of passion, intuition, and wisdom. Over time, during our pursuit of accolades, achievements, and status, it can be easy to lose sight of that power. As a result, we may feel anxious, unfulfilled, or even depressed. As women, how do we reground, reconnect, and regain confidence in ourselves? How can we start to amplify our authentic voice, and start living in alignment with our true selves?
Tianna’s wellness journey began in college when she learned to overcome stress, anxiety, and burnout through practices like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Over the years, she has supported countless women in their journey to self-confidence and empowerment. If your campus or organization is looking for a speaker to make an impact on college women, this program is for you.
Utilizing her expertise in mental health, psychology, and holistic wellness, Tianna teaches college women strategies for amplifying their voices and cultivating confidence in conversations, relationships, and moments of decision-making. Inspired by the “wild woman” archetype in Jungian psychology, or “the woman who runs with wolves,” Tianna empowers women to feel confident and aligned in mind, body, and soul. During this program, Tianna leads attendees through profound writing and reflection exercises to help them express themselves authentically.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this program, students will learn:
- Techniques for cultivating confidence in personal and professional life
- Tangible exercises for connecting with the mind, body, and soul in everyday life
- How to release the pressure of perfection and embrace the inner “wild woman” instead
- How embracing your inner “wild woman” can help you gain clarity and confidence throughout the college journey
TIANNA’S BLOGS
The following are past entries Tianna has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker’s Voice Blog
