Iona Holloway
“Make 5-year-old you happy and 95-year-old-you proud.”
“Best keynote in 20 years. Incredible!”
Iona Holloway is the founder of Brave Thing, an international keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Ghost: Why Perfect Women Shrink. Her mission is simple: to help you become the person, and live the life, that makes 5-year-old you happy and 95-year-old you proud.
At 29, Iona found out she was going to be an aunt. The news floored her. She didn’t want her niece to grow up knowing the highly-functioning, invisibly-struggling version of her: someone who’d battled eating disorders and depression while thriving as an All-American athlete and creative director. She knew she had to choose her life all over again. And she did.
Doing The Brave Thing is at the core of everything Iona teaches. It’s why she always tells her audiences, “Someone in your life needs a braver version of you to exist.”
Iona’s signature 5-step Brave One Method helps people quiet fear through breathwork, shut down imposter syndrome, and rip the caution tape off their lives.
Through Star Power, her public speaking intensives, Iona gives people the tools to kill nerves, speak with guts, and deliver talks only they can give, no matter the stakes.
Iona’s spoken for clients like Volkswagen, Arctic Wolf, BMC, Skadden Law, and Georgetown University. She lights up stages with her raw, honest approach to bravery, storytelling, and leadership.
Whether it’s self-image or public speaking, Iona helps you bring your bravest self to the table, and own the room when you get there.
Iona’s been featured in BBC, Women’s Fitness, and Entrepreneur. Her second book on bravery will be published in 2026.
Iona’s speaking style
Iona’s known as The Gentle Beast and Queen Of Goosebumps. Her speeches are described as poetic rollercoasters: equal parts art and sport. She gives audiences the inspiration and tools to be braver, right now.
IOna’s signature talks
All talks are tailored to your company, event, or initiative
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Do The Brave Thing
Strong and smart people don’t fulfill their potential, live meaningful lives, and leave a legacy: brave ones do. But fear, perfectionism, and self-criticism hold people back. In this blunt, raw, and kind keynote, audiences learn:
• Bravery is where strength and vulnerability collide.
• A rock bottom could be the making of you.
• 5 steps to become the bravest in the room.
• Tools to choose bravery every day.
• How to leave a legacy for the next generation.
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The Bravest Woman In The Room
Tailored for a women-only audience, this version of the Do The Brave Thing keynote dives deeper into the unique challenges women face in owning their voice and showing up, brave.
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Star Power Speaker
Public speaking is part sport, part art. It’s terrifying for most people: nerves, fear of judgment, and the pressure to perform. Done right? It’s effortless. In this keynote, Iona shows you how to:
• Kill self-consciousness and boost charisma.
• Use breathwork and nervous system tools to calm nerves.
• Tell stories that capture hearts and minds, build rapport, and close business
• Speak with confidence, even if you’re not an extrovert.
• Be unforgettable.
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How To Hold Up The Sky
Most people carry a weight no one sees and juggle two (or ten) big roles: mum and exec, caregiver and partner, athlete and full-time job, father with chronic illness.
As a new mum and business owner, Iona knows the juggle firsthand.
This keynote:
• Is a rally cry for those who “make it look easy” but feel like they’re quietly falling apart.• Names the unseen weight: emotional labour, mental lists, invisible expectations.
• Offers a braver way to carry the load, through ruthless prioritization, radical self-compassion, and doing less, incredibly well. -
Stop Playing Small
Most people let fear win and only tap 10% of their potential. In this keynote, Iona teaches powerful tools that make everyone in the audience take one brave move that advances their career in 24 hours.
Iona has also developed a version of this keynote for women-only audiences due the unique challenges women face in their careers.
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Bespoke, Always
All signature keynotes are customized to your audience and initiative. Iona is also available for fully-customized talks.
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Leave this one empty 😊
“Iona had us laughing, crying, and leaving inspired. Book this rising star ASAP! Her authenticity is so refreshing.”
Michael Stone, Vice President, PEF Chattanooga, sponsored by Volkswagen
We bring the juice to your events and initiatives
Companies partner with Brave Thing because Iona knows how to help high-performing people open up, connect, and grow. She has spent years transforming the way people think about strength and vulnerability, and is the go-to expert for helping people be braver in life, work, and relationships.
When you partner with Brave Thing, you get:
Expert insight on bravery and public speaking.
A fresh take on leadership and personal growth.
A relatable voice people trust.
Internal Company Talks
Conferences
Sales Kickoffs
Corporate Trainings
Leadership Retreats
Women’s ERGS
“Iona’s talk was extraordinary. Authentic, kind, and brave. The truest hour in all my 43 years here.”
Uncommonly Brave Keynote, Skadden Mental Health Awareness Month
Why Book Iona?
Iona was an All-American athlete, has a BSc in psychology and journalism, a masters in advertising and worked for 7 years in marketing. All while fighting invisible wars like so many high achievers do. She understands the pressure, the fear of losing your edge, and the desire for more purpose.
Iona’s realness is what sets her apart. Her speeches crack open even the toughest hearts, and her frameworks stick with audiences long after the talk ends. She uses breathwork and practical tools people actually want to use, all delivered with a dash of cheeky Scottish humor.
If you want suited, booted, and beige, hire someone else.If you want honest, useful, and brave, book Iona now.
