Michelle Elman

Body Confidence Coach & Creator of ‘Scarred Not Scared’

  • Bestselling Author of ‘The Joy of Being Selfish’
  • Media Commentator on ITV’s This Morning
  • Host of the In All Honesty Podcast

Discover Michelle Elman’s biography of published work below.

Bad Friend, book cover
Bad Friend
The Joy of Being Selfish
How To Say No
The Selfish Romantic
Am I Ugly?, book cover
Am I Ugly?

When Michelle Elman is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

Boundaries: Why We Need Them and How To Build Them
The Secret To Beating Imposter Syndrome
The Power of Loving Your Body
Have You Hated Yourself Enough Today?
Self-Esteem and Social Media
Scarred Not Scared: My Story of Surgeries, Scars and Survival
The Stylish Secret to Confidence

Michelle Elman is a leading voice in the field of mental health and personal boundaries, known for her engaging and empowering style as a public speaker. With a unique ability to blend lived experience, psychological insight, and humour, Michelle creates a safe space for audiences to reflect, learn, and grow. Her work centres around body confidence, emotional resilience, and the power of saying no — all themes that resonate deeply in both personal and professional settings. As a speaker, Michelle is sought after for her authenticity, relatability, and the practical tools she leaves her audiences with.

Her journey into public speaking began with her personal story. Having undergone 15 surgeries by the age of 20, Michelle founded the viral body confidence campaign ‘Scarred Not Scared’, challenging perceptions of physical scars and self-worth. She holds a degree in Psychology and is a five-board accredited life coach, with qualifications in NLP, Hypnotherapy, and Time Line Therapy. These credentials, combined with her own experiences of hospitalisation and recovery, gave her a unique foundation to speak on mental health with both authority and empathy. Her coaching practice, Mindset For Life, further developed her reputation as someone who helps people rebuild self-esteem and set boundaries that support wellbeing.

In recent years, Michelle has solidified her position as a thought leader in emotional wellness. She is the bestselling author of four books, including ‘The Joy of Being Selfish’ and ‘The Selfish Romantic’, both of which explore the importance of self-prioritisation in a culture that often glorifies people-pleasing. She has made appearances as a life coach on ITV’s This Morning, and regularly contributes to national conversations around mental health on Sky News, Channel 4, and BBC Radio. Her podcast, ‘In All Honesty’, has become a trusted source of support for thousands seeking guidance on self-worth, relationships, and resilience.

Michelle is hired by organisations, conferences, and media outlets not just for her expertise, but for her ability to connect with audiences in a way that is both heartfelt and transformative. Her talks are engaging, accessible, and grounded in real-life strategies that empower people to take ownership of their mental health. Whether she’s addressing corporate teams, schools, or public audiences, Michelle offers a powerful reminder that self-care isn’t selfish — it’s essential.

Official Testimonials

Michelle Elman is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“For the Leeds Yoga & Wellness Festival, I wanted to focus on ‘Body Positivity,’ and I knew Michelle was the perfect person to share her journey. From the moment I contacted her, I felt confident that we were in safe and capable hands. Michelle was kind, thoughtful, and inspirational, and she went above and beyond to ensure her talk was tailored to the audience. Her life story was compelling and emotive, and her talk was nothing short of life-changing. Michelle’s authenticity and passion for Body Positivity shone through, and I highly recommend her as both a speaker and an author.”

Holly McFee, Leeds Yoga & Wellness Festival

“After following Michelle’s story and hearing her wise words, I invited her to speak at a body-positive event called Chachi Live in Edinburgh. Her talk was excellent—relatable, interesting, and delivered in a friendly yet professional manner. She truly engaged the audience, and I believe she changed perspectives and possibly life trajectories for some people there. I can’t wait to work with Michelle again.”

Danni Gordon, Chachi Power Project

“Having Michelle host our International Women’s Day panel at YOTEL was a true delight. She presented our panellists with thought-provoking questions while weaving in her own experiences as a woman and a life coach. Her insights on setting boundaries and repackaging female emotion in the workplace were particularly poignant. Michelle’s warm and collaborative nature was exactly what we were looking for—we’d love to partner with her again!”

Emma Petty, YOTEL

“Listening to Michelle engage in a conversation on ‘Adversity & Perseverance’ was thought-provoking and impressive. She took a potentially dry topic and spiced it up with her personal experiences. Her candid and articulate style made the discussion relatable and engaging. This is also true of Michelle’s remarkable book Am I Ugly?—where she shares her life journey with the same energy that inspires her audience in her talks.”

Rohit Kapoor, Goldman Sachs

“Michelle is one of those genuinely lovely people that others are naturally drawn to. At first, I didn’t know her story, but when I heard her speak, I was deeply moved. Her story is one of courage, confidence, and grace, and she delivers it with genuine emotion. She’s the type of speaker that makes you feel like you know her personally. If you get the chance to work with Michelle, don’t miss out!”

Lauren Lovett

“Michelle shares her story—discussing sensitive, emotive issues – with eloquence, care, and humour. In July 2018, I hosted a panel about body confidence in partnership with Women’s Health’s #InShapeMyShape campaign, and Michelle was a total asset. What stood out was her tolerance and understanding of people who might not have all the answers or use the ‘correct’ terminology. She has a rare ability to challenge others thoughtfully while maintaining warmth and sensitivity. I will certainly be calling on Michelle again for speaking engagements and heartily recommend that you do too.”

Roisín Dervish-O’Kane, Commissioning Editor, Women’s Health Magazine

“Michelle was invited to speak at our first Feminine Superpowers event on ‘Calming Your Inner Rollercoaster.’ She captivated our audience with her authentic, warm delivery and a story worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. Her ability to connect with such a wide demographic is truly a superpower!”

Michelle Zelli, Feminine Superpowers

To enquire about Michelle Elman for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@mentalhealthspeakers.co.uk or call a booking agent on 0203 9816 296.