Tianna Faye Soto
Tianna Soto is a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese storyteller who empowers students to care for their mental health and wellness and face the college journey with confidence. 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, Elite Daily, and MindBodyGreen, among others.
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)
life lately: solo road trips. reflection. singing in the car. wandering around bookstores. hot yoga. caring for my mental health. trying to make peace with my body. writing in coffee shops. setting big goals. asking for help. getting comfortable with the unknown. patience. finding little moments of hope in unexpected places. if you’re also on a journey of coming home to yourself, I see you. keep going. and don’t forget to give yourself some flowers along the way 🖤
happy new year, friends. I‘ve been spending the holiday season in Greece touring ancient sites, sipping espresso, & marveling at how cool our world is. I feel deeply lucky. there’s a lot I’m excited for in 2023, like more writing, traveling, & speaking. but after a challenging year, I’m most excited to rest. here’s to slowing down, being gentle, & soaking it all in. magic on the way ✨
November 3rd, my 28th birthday ✨ from speaking on stages around the country to publishing stories I wholeheartedly believe in, I’m proud & emotional to be pursuing a life that younger T dreamed about. it’s been a year of many lessons, both heavy & light. but for now, all I can say is thank you to everyone who has laughed with me, cried with me, & cheered me on throughout every adventure. I am so grateful for this wild, beautiful life & can’t wait for what’s ahead. 🖤
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay.
I’ll never forget going to therapy for the first time. I was nervous, shaking, & debated pressing the elevator button and turning around. I didn’t know what would come of it, or what I was even going to say in my first session. But what followed was the start of a powerful healing journey that I’m still on today.
Millions of people worldwide struggle with mental health, and yet, stigma persists. I’m grateful that my vocation allows me to speak about mental health with students and organizations year-round. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we show up for each other, practice empathy, & advocate for accessible mental healthcare. Because we all deserve to come home to ourselves.
If you or someone you know is struggling right now, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I see you. May today be a reminder that you deserve all the good things, and there is hope, even when things feel dark.
Swipe for a lil affirmation 🫶🏼
One year ago, I stood in this exact same spot in Durango, Colorado before my first in-person speaking gig. I remember the butterflies, the racing thoughts, & the feeling of being thousands of feet above ground getting ready to pursue a big dream. This year, I had the opportunity to return to that same place. Although the butterflies have settled a bit, being there felt surreal all over again, & the incredible view gave me an invitation to pause.
This season of life has taught me that when there’s chaos around you, sometimes, you have to create your own stillness. Find your own peace. Find comfort in uncertainty, slow down, and trust the process. Be proud of how far you’ve come even if it seems like you have miles left to go. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Oh, and love yourself — a lot. Especially on the days where it feels out of reach.
Today, I’m taking time to reflect. I’m so grateful to be a traveling speaker, writer, & editor who has a chance to meet people where they are, hear their stories, & remind them that they’re enough. It’s an opportunity I don’t take lightly. Everyone’s story is sacred. May we all take a moment to honor our own. 🖤
A few years ago, I met a talented journalist friend for coffee in Madison Square Park. We talked about my dream of becoming a writer someday, and how I wanted to publish stories to help readers feel informed, empowered, and ultimately, less alone. I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially joined @elitedaily as a contributing editor, where I’ll be covering all things dating and relationships through an empowering, wellness-focused lens. To everyone who has believed in my work: Thank you. I would not be here without you, and can’t wait for what’s next. 💌
Over the past few months, I’ve traveled around the country to speak about mental health, multicultural identity, women’s empowerment, and owning your story. As a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese woman and first gen college graduate, this journey is surreal and beyond my wildest dreams.
After one of my recent keynotes, an attendee approached me and said, “This program changed my life. It didn’t feel like you were preaching at us. It felt like you were my friend…walking with me in the courtyard, having a heart-to-heart.”
I speak because we all deserve to feel loved. We all deserve to feel safe, healthy, confident, and aligned in mind, body, and soul — whatever that may look like for you. At the end of the day, I believe that human connection and storytelling will move the world. I’m deeply grateful to play a small part in that movement. May we all continue to walk each other home (and enjoy *lots* of yummy food along the way). 🖤
Happy International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month ✨ I hope you find joy in the quiet moments. In the ones behind closed doors when nobody is watching. I hope you can feel beautiful on the tough days, the no-makeup days, the days where you’re going 100 miles an hour and it seems like nothing will ever stop. I hope you can carve out time to love yourself and surround yourself with people who nourish you. I hope you can step away from people, places, & things that draw you away from your core self. Above all, I hope you can revel in whatever makes you feel unapologetic, creative, wild, & free. If you’re a woman I’ve met recently or it’s been years since we’ve talked, I’m sending you love. Keep embracing your fire. I promise the world needs it ❤️🔥
If you told me years ago that I’d be working in journalism someday & speaking to college students around the country for Women’s History Month, I’m not sure I’d believe you.
Finding your path isn’t always easy, especially when life moves at hyper speed and throws curveballs that you simply didn’t expect. Through it all, storytelling continues to feel like “home” for me — writing, speaking, music, & any experience that reminds us that we’re all connected.
Now more than ever, I’m re-learning the value of rest, mindfulness, boundaries, health, self-love, & how to care for my body, especially when dealing with change. My wish for you is that you can carve out time to do the same. It’s worth it, I promise.
Up next: California, New York, Connecticut, Nebraska, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Louisiana, & beyond. So excited for what’s in store, & I hope we can say hi along the way ✈️ ✨
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
She Who Runs 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.
Tianna Faye Soto’s She Who Runs With Wolves is also available as a leadership keynote for all audiences under the title “Running With Wolves”
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
