Inspiring Transformation for Organizations and Individuals Navigating Complex Illness
I deliver two signature keynotes designed to help people and organizations win the war on complex illness. Drawing on my experience as a retiring Army Lieutenant Colonel, published author, and well-being advocate, I combine personal story, practical strategies, and military intelligence frameworks to help audiences measurably improve their health.
1️⃣ Win the War on Complex Illness
For Organizations, Healthcare Systems, and Professional Groups
Transform your approach to complex illness with lessons from my time as an intelligence officer in Baghdad, where I helped turn the worst-performing brigade area of operations into the best-performing using my Four Steps to Winning a War—soon to be featured in the 3rd edition of my book Heal or Die.
Your team will learn:
- A practical, actionable framework to improve complex illness outcomes.
- Leadership strategies that turn high-stress, resource-limited situations into measurable success.
- How military leadership principles translate to healthcare, wellness, and human services systems.
Audience: Hospitals, health systems, government agencies, professional associations, and organizations seeking to enhance patient/client outcomes and staff effectiveness.
Add-ons: I always customize my speeches to your organization’s needs, which requires scheduling one pre-event consultation, and is included in the event’s base price. In addition, I offer:
- Handouts and/or swag with key takeaways
- Panel participation
- Post-event workshop
- Fire-side chat
- License to retain recording for a year (great for incoming employees)
Tenay Benes Speaker: Demo Reel “Win the War”
Watch Tenay’s demo reel from this 60-minute keynote:
“Win the War on Complex Illness”
Book Tenay Today
This keynotes is requires a pre-event meeting with your organization’s care leadership to customize it to your organization’s situation and goals.
2️⃣ Heal or Die
For Overcomers and Their Caregivers Navigating Complex Illness
Discover how I overcame complex post-traumatic stress, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation to reclaim my life, health, and purpose. In this keynote, I share three of the lessons featured in my book, Heal or Die.
Your audience will:
- Gain hope and inspiration: Anyone can heal from anything and thrive.
- Hear practical tips on how to “build your team”, find the right providers, and sequence your care to achieve holistic wellness.
- Walk away with a plan in hand to get unstuck in their healing journey.
Audience: Patients, families, caregivers, wellness groups, and communities impacted by congenital, developmental, chronic, or injury-based illness.
In addition to speaking, I bring musical and spiritual engagement to select events:
- Guitar and vocal performance
- Leading worship
- Offering prayers for empowerment, healing, encouragement, or guidance to groups or individuals
These elements can be included to enhance audience connection and create a memorable, transformative experience.
Secularized Version Available
For public schools, corporations, and government agencies, I offer a version of this talk that focuses on resilience, personal growth, and practical strategies—without religious references—while still guiding participants toward a better life.
Watch Tenay share her story to a secular audience:
Healing strategies for secular audiences.
Tenay Benes: Keynote Demo Reel “Heal or Die”
Watch Tenay’s demo reel from this 60-minute keynote:
“Heal or Die”
Book Tenay Today
This keynote includes a take-home, customized, healing plan for each participant to develop throughout the talk. It combines inspiration, actionable strategies, and lasting impact to leave your audience motivated, equipped, and ready to thrive.
Skills
I speak native English, fluent (child-like) Turkish, and fluent (deteriorated) French. I am comfortable presenting with an on-stage, near-simultaneous interpreter, provided we schedule a one-hour virtual practice session at least one week before the event to ensure seamless communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What topics do you speak about?
A: I speak on how to improve complex illness outcomes by applying military intelligence frameworks to healthcare, wellness, and human services organizations. I call this health intelligence frameworks.
I also empower complex illness overcomers (you may call them patients) and their supporters (including caregivers) on how to navigate a complex illness healing journey well.
Finally, I can speak about how I am overcoming:
- primary and secondary Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), childhood trauma, combat trauma, moral injury
- Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACOA) Syndrome, codependency, healing from Narcissistic relationships
- sexual trauma from grooming, harassment, and assault
- relational trauma (Cassandra Syndrome for spouses of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- glucose dysregulation, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), neurodivergence
- panic attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- medical injury from anti-depressants (including suicidal ideations) and anti-psychotics (glucose dysregulation)
- body-image issues, over-dieting, rapid weight gain
- nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, pregnancy, postpartum
- being a combat veteran, an OIF veteran, a disabled veteran
- medical trauma from experiences in Army and Veterans Administration hospitals
- spiritual abuse from church leaders
- financial abuse from family members
- legal abuse from family members
- chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, heavy metals and high toxin load
- workplace trauma from toxic commanders, abusive authority, undue command influence, cover-up-culture
- and more…
Q: Do you conduct in-person keynotes?
A: Yes, I am available for one in-person event per month.
Q: Do you conduct virtual keynotes?
A: Yes, I am available for two virtual events per month, regardless of time zone. For enhanced production quality, I can partner with a local podcasting studio to improve audio and video—studio fees are included in my speaking rate if desired.
Q: How far do you travel?
A: As far as you are willing to pay. You can book me for both national and international events.
Q: Why do you show three different ways to get a quote?
A: Because you can book me directly or through two speaker bureaus (one is primarily American and one is primarily European). A speaker bureau is a white-glove service that helps event planners book one or more speakers for their event. It also coordinates local back-up speakers to make sure you don’t have any no-shows. For these reasons, some event planners prefer to book speakers only through speaker bureaus, if they can afford it. If that’s you, please reach out to the speaker bureau of your choice and request me by name. If you already have a preferred speaker bureau and you want to book me through them, please reach out to both of us and I will consider signing up with them to do your event.
Q: Are you available as a back-up speaker for a conference I’m hosting in Denver?
A: Yes, I’m available to be booked as a back-up speaker in case weather or other situations prevent your primary speaker from making it to your event near Denver on time. You can pay a back-up booking fee of $300 per day to keep me on call until your local event is complete.
Q: What kind of talks do you offer?
A: I offer keynotes, workshops, panel participation, breakfast/luncheon/dinner/fireside chats, presentations, breakout sessions, and emcee’ing (serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies of your event).
Q: Are you easy to work with?
A: I am highly organized, very responsive, and execute all my activities with a military-efficiency. I can’t help it, it’s in my blood. 🤣 Also, I have served as an event planner and MC for two national conferences in my life, so I know what it feels like to be in your shoes. I want to be the easiest part of your equation.
Q: How early do we have to book you?
A: New bookings require at least one week’s notice and can be scheduled up to six months in advance, allowing time to tailor each presentation to your audience’s goals.
Q: What is your availability?
A: My availability and upcoming events are updated live in the calendar below.
Book Tenay Today
Secure your date and bring inspiration, practical strategies, and transformation to your audience. Whether it’s a keynote, workshop, or virtual session, each event is customized to deliver lasting impact and empower participants to win and thrive when facing complex illness.
