Michael Brody-Waite

Author | Speaker | Founder | CEO

Michael is a top inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, award-winning three-time CEO, leadership coach, and author. His accomplishments include being named a Most Admired CEO, named to the Top 40 Under 40, and was recognized by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce as Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year.

  • Michael Brody-Waite Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type

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  • Michael Brody-Waite Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type

    Please Inquire

Suggested Keynote Speaker Programs

Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts

At Addictive Leadership, we believe the most effective business transformation starts with honest, human leadership. Rooted in the principles of addiction recovery, our methodology is built on Practicing Rigorous Authenticity, Surrendering the Outcome, and Doing Uncomfortable ...

At Addictive Leadership, we believe the most effective business transformation starts with honest, human leadership. Rooted in the principles of addiction recovery, our methodology is built on Practicing Rigorous Authenticity, Surrendering the Outcome, and Doing Uncomfortable Work that drives meaningful results.

What began as Michael’s personal path to survival from addiction, has evolved into a powerful framework that’s transforming leadership teams and organizational cultures across industries. Our proven system helps leaders at every level create environments where trust runs deep, communication is clear, and teams perform with clarity, passion, and purpose.

Through high-impact keynotes and programs, we deliver a six-part model designed to foster psychological safety, deepen connection, and fuel long-term performance. The result? Teams that communicate better, leaders who show up authentically, and organizations that thrive, because people are empowered to lead as their true selves.

Addictive Leadership isn’t just a leadership model – it’s a culture-shifting experience built for the modern workplace.

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About Keynote Speaker Michael Brody-Waite

Michael Brody-Waite is a dynamic, inspirational speaker, acclaimed TEDx presenter, Inc. 500 entrepreneur, award-winning three-time CEO, seasoned leadership coach, and bestselling author of Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts: How to Lead Like Your Life Depends on It.

At 23, Michael was a full-blown drug addict—kicked out of college, fired from his job, evicted from his apartment, and convinced he wouldn’t live to see 30. On September 1, 2002, after hitting rock bottom, he checked into rehab. That decision began a lifelong journey of transformation rooted in the principles of rigorous authenticity and personal responsibility.

In 2010, Michael left a Fortune 50 company during the height of the recession to co-found and lead InQuicker, a healthcare SaaS company that empowered patients to schedule appointments online. Under his leadership, the company grew by 20,000% in under six years, earned a spot on the Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies, and was recognized as a “Best Place to Work” four times, as well as Healthcare Company of the Year. After selling InQuicker to a publicly traded company in 2015, Michael went on to serve as CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, where he helped over 2,000 entrepreneurs annually start or scale their businesses.

Today, Michael is the founder and driving force behind Addictive Leadership, a company that teaches leaders how to apply the proven principles of addiction recovery to build extraordinary cultures. Through powerful keynotes, workshops, and online programs, Michael helps individuals and organizations embrace Rigorous Authenticity, Surrender the Outcome, and Do Uncomfortable Work. His six-step framework, derived from his recovery journey, provides a tangible roadmap for leaders who want to foster trust, boost performance, and lead with courage.

Michael’s work has helped transform teams at companies across industries, from Fortune 100s to fast-growing startups, proving that the principles that save lives can also save companies. His accolades include Most Admired CEO, Top 40 Under 40, and Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year from the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.

With a message that is raw, relatable, and actionable, Michael challenges leaders to stop hiding, start leading, and create workplaces where people can bring their full selves to the table and THRIVE.

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