Jay Schwedelson

You know what’s holding you back? It’s not your skills. It’s not your experience. It’s that voice in your head telling you you’re not ready yet. Meanwhile, someone with half your talent and none of your credentials just launched the thing you’ve been planning for two years. This keynote is about killing the overthinking, ditching imposter syndrome, and realizing that “ready” is a myth. Jay walks through the psychological traps that keep smart people stuck, shares the exact moment(s) he stopped waiting for permission, and gives you a framework for making big moves before you feel qualified. Because if you’re waiting to feel ready, you’ll be waiting forever.

Best practices are just what everyone else is doing because no one wants to be the first one to fail. They’re the marketing equivalent of wearing beige to a party. You won’t stand out, but you won’t embarrass yourself either. Except you also won’t win. Jay has built $400 million in businesses by testing the things everyone says you shouldn’t do and then watching them work. This keynote rips apart the conventional wisdom that’s keeping your campaigns boring, your career safe, and your business stuck. You’ll walk away with tactics that actually move numbers, stories of rule-breaking that paid off big, and permission to stop doing things just because “that’s what works.”

The things that scare you are usually the things that matter most. The pitch that feels too bold. The career move that keeps you up at night. The idea you’re terrified to share out loud. Jay breaks down why fear is actually your most reliable compass, and how to use it to make better decisions instead of letting it paralyze you. This keynote gives you a framework for distinguishing between the fear that signals growth and the fear that’s just noise, plus tactical strategies for taking action even when you don’t know how it’ll turn out. Because the biggest risk actually isn’t failing. It’s playing it so safe that you never find out what you’re capable of.

Everyone’s afraid of change. But you know what’s scarier? Looking back in five years and realizing nothing’s different. Jay challenges the idea that change is risky and comfort is safe, because staying the same in a world that’s moving forward is the fastest way to become irrelevant. This keynote gives you a roadmap for embracing transformation without losing your mind, whether that’s adapting to AI, pivoting your career, or reinventing how your business operates. You’ll get real stories, strategies, and a framework for building momentum when everything feels uncertain. Because the truth is, it’s not change that scares you. It’s the fear of staying stuck.