Relentlessly Engaging ... Relentlessly Empowering ... Relentlessly Optimistic
Book Rya Hazelwood for a keynote or workshop that delivers the power of Relentless Optimism™ in action.
Inspiring, Actionable, Transformative
Keynotes & Workshops
Your mindset shapes everything – from how you lead to how you navigate challenges. Whether you need a strategy-driven approach to resilience, a perspective shift that fuels empowerment, or stories that spark deep inspiration, Rya Hazelwood delivers keynotes that move audiences to think, feel and take action.
Explore Rya’s signature keynotes below to find the message that will resonate most with your audience.​
Relentless Optimism™ for Life & Leadership
What if optimism wasn’t naïve but strategic? What if the real edge in both life and leadership came from the ability to reframe challenges, rise after setbacks and believe in better … no matter what?
In Relentless OptimismTM for Life & Leadership, Rya Hazelwood shares powerful stories and lessons that reveal how mindset fuels momentum and how optimism, when paired with action, becomes unstoppable.
Through an inspiring mix of storytelling, reflection and practical insight, Rya explores Relentless Optimism &:
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Action: Because optimism without action is just hope. Relentless optimism believes in better and channels the courage to move toward it.
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Obstacles: What if this isn’t life falling apart, but life falling into place? Sometimes the detour is the destination.
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Boundaries: Boundaries aren’t barriers. They’re guardrails that protect your values and make space for what matters most.
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Vulnerability: When you show up as you are, you invite people to lean in and give others permission to do the same.
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Imposter Syndrome: When the whisper says, “Why me?”, answer with, “Why not me?” Bold dreams require bold belief.
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The Silver Lining Mindset: Reframe everything: “Life happens to me” becomes “Life happens for me.” “I have to…” becomes “I get to…” Small shifts. Big change.
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Audacity: Not everyone will cheer for you. Chase the dream anyway. “I did” beats “What if…” every time.
This keynote will leave audiences energized, empowered and equipped with the tools to lead – and live – with courage, clarity and relentless optimism.
Perfect for: Leadership conferences, women’s empowerment events, corporate retreats and professional development programs focused on mindset, resilience and authentic leadership. Ideal for teams navigating change, emerging leaders seeking confidence and clarity, and organizations committed to building engaged, empowered and optimistic cultures.
Relentless Optimism™: The Leader’s Edge
In today’s high-pressure, constantly evolving business climate, one trait consistently sets standout leaders apart: mindset. And not just any mindset — one grounded in resilience and practical, actionable, relentless optimism.
With clarity, conviction and purpose, Relentless Optimism™ is a high-impact leadership approach that builds trust, fuels engagement and cultivates cultures that thrive from the inside out.
Drawing from real-life experience in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship — along with hard-won wisdom, personal storytelling and humor-infused candor — Rya Hazelwood delivers a powerful, story-driven session that blends emotional resonance with actionable business insights. At its core is one transformative idea: leadership isn’t about having the map — it’s about having the mindset.
Audiences will walk away with:
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A strategic understanding of optimism as a competitive advantage — a force multiplier in leadership and performance
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Actionable mindset tools for clarity, presence and resilience under pressure
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Trust-building tactics rooted in alignment, accountability and follow-through
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Culture-shaping strategies to reframe challenges, boost morale and model resilience
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Retention-strengthening techniques to set boundaries, protect team energy and stay mission-focused
Perfect for: Leadership conferences, executive forums, culture-focused offsites, business retreats and company events centered on innovation, change management and organizational health.
Relentless Optimism™ & Other Life Goals
Have you ever felt stuck? Wondered if you were meant for more? Questioned whether things would ever change? The truth is, transformation doesn’t happen by chance – it happens by choice.
Rya Hazelwood – entrepreneur, corporate marketing executive, mother of boys, traveler, ex-wife of an alcoholic, emotional abuse survivor, author, speaker and relentless optimist – has worn many titles and weathered many storms. She knows what it takes to go from stuck to soaring.
On stage, Rya captivates audiences with humor and raw, heartfelt storytelling, inspiring them to stop waiting for change and start creating it. She challenges the seductive trap of magical thinking, reveals how to harness personal power in the face of adversity, and demonstrates why relentless optimism isn’t about ignoring reality ... it’s about rewriting it.
"Relentless optimism doesn’t mean denying challenges or seeing the world through rose-colored glasses," Rya explains. "It means choosing to move forward even when the road is steep. It’s about finding the smallest shifts in perspective that unlock the biggest changes in your life, both personally and professionally."
In this powerful keynote, you will explore:​
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The seductive trap of magical thinking – and how to escape it
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Harnessing your own strength in the face of adversity
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How life happens for you, not to you
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Why relentless optimism can be your greatest advantage
Whether in business or life, your mindset shapes everything. These lessons will help you lead with resilience, influence with confidence, and cultivate more joy and momentum in your daily life. You’ll walk away feeling energized, empowered and ready to take action.
Perfect for: Women’s conferences, personal growth events, leadership retreats, employee resource groups and organizations seeking to inspire resilience, mindset shifts and meaningful personal momentum.
Relentless Optimism™ in Action a.k.a Life Happens FOR You
In today’s fast-paced world, resilience isn’t optional – it’s essential. Studies show that organizations with a resilient workforce experience higher productivity and lower turnover, proving that adaptability isn’t just beneficial, it’s a competitive advantage. Organizations that cultivate practical optimism, adaptability and a solutions-oriented mindset don’t just survive; they thrive.
But here’s the truth: Mindset isn’t magic – it’s strategy. It's not about just thinking positively and hoping for the best ... it's about implementing intentional shifts in perspective that drive real results.
Your team’s ability to reframe challenges, stay engaged and lead with practical optimism determines your organization’s long-term success. This keynote will both inspire and equip professionals and teams with actionable tools to turn setbacks into steppingstones and adversity into advantage.
What to Expect
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Engaging & Relatable Storytelling – Real-life experiences that connect on a human level
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Science-Backed Strategies – Research-driven insights for lasting change
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Tangible Takeaways – Actionable steps your team can implement immediately
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An Energy Shift – Practical optimism that fuels momentum and performance
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Perfect for: Corporate conferences, leadership development programs, employee engagement events, change management initiatives and organizations focused on building resilient, forward-thinking teams.
I have known and worked with Rya for over 16 years and deeply value our professional relationship and more importantly, our friendship. Rya's determination and loyalty is second to none. She is passionate about her work, helps companies thrive and does it all from a place of service.
- Ashley Snyder
Principal at Cresa
In my line of work, I have the opportunity to work with many fabulous professionals. Without question though, Rya is in a class of her own. Besides being freakishly smart, Rya is kind, incredibly organized, thoughtful, supportive, responsive and everything that you could ever hope for ... To say that I loved my time working with her would be the understatement of the century. If you have the honor of working with Rya, you are in for a world-class experience.
- Shola Richards,
International Keynote and TEDx Speaker, Author of Civil Unity
Rya is one of those rare professionals who also naturally serves as an inspiring mentor. She exhibits strong interpersonal skills and a unique capacity for empathy. These qualities most notably translate into her ability to motivate a team to care about its project and be invested in the project’s success.
- Michelle Roy
Office Manager of Heritage Distribution Holdings