Robin Shear

Robin Shear is a TEDx and global joy speaker, author, event energizer, and likely the only joy coach attendees will ever meet. Shear brings laughter and purpose back to burned-out audiences, helping depleted givers cultivate joy so they can give from a place of fullness and lead effectively again. Shear uses her Joy, NO MATTER WHAT™ five-point framework to lay a foundation that keeps audiences in giving and thriving mode.

Why would TIME, The Wall Street Journal, and Psychology Today want to interview a speaker from a one-horse town with a single flashing yellow traffic light? Because Shear’s message of how to choose joy when life’s messy is universal. While many of Shear’s report cards read “Robin talks too much,” her former teachers are now among her biggest fans. Shear's speaking clients include TEDxDetroit, MPI, PCMA, CEMA, Northstar Meetings Group, Northwestern Medicine, Aetna, National Head Start Association, National Organization of Human Services, Emergency Care Specialists, Pure Michigan, Affordable Housing Connections, The Detroit Economic Club, The Attorney’s Resource Conference, Michigan Bankers Association, Michigan Nursing Summit, Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association, WIC, The Purpose Summit and many others. Shear recently enjoyed sharing joy from the stage at a conference in South Africa.

Shear is known for bringing a party with a purpose: Her presentations are fun and engaging, filled with memorable audience interaction and actionable takeaways. Attendees regularly declare they have never laughed that much at a conference, and they walk away inspired to take action that enriches their lives and, because joy is contagious, the lives of others. Participants often state, “I’ve never had that much fun learning!” and “90 minutes with Robin went too fast!”

Why does Shear want attendees to have more joy? Sharing her exuberance was natural until she faced several hidden issues and her zest for living became a choice. Within a four-year span, Shear attempted 26 distinct treatments for chronic pain, was diagnosed with PTSD after 20 years of night terrors, had a gut health condition, found one of Shear's most important relationships in a nearly severed state, and suffered a head injury that took 21 times longer to heal than doctors predicted. Yet, God brought joy in and through the mess. Shear's book, "Messy Joy™: How Joy Can Begin Before Your Difficulties End," chronicles her journey and includes more than 200 journal questions to help readers find joy when their own circumstances are difficult. Within weeks of its release, with no formal launch plan, "Messy Joy™" was named a No. 1 New Release on Amazon. "Messy Joy™" is applicable to anyone seeking a guidebook to more joy in life, keeping the momentum going long after any event ends.

Shear has served in many roles, including a registered dietitian who taught at the college level and ran a private practice specializing in eating disorder treatment; youth pastor and developer of two vibrant youth programs; and activity staff at senior living communities for people with dementia. She found that infusing joy was the key to improving life for each of these populations and is on a mission to share it on a large scale.

Shear is the president-elect of the National Speakers Association - Michigan. She was named ITA Group’s Trending Speaker, PCMA Leading Class Speaker, pc/nametag’s Top 5 Event Influencer and the NSA-MI Chapter Member of the Year. Shear and her husband find joy in making memories with their two adult children, their spouses and their baby granddaughter.