Transform Your Audience's Pain into Purpose
Helen Ngo, Keynote Speaker
Sharing Her Journey from Grief to Growth
My Story
From Control to Connection: A Journey Through Loss
When my boyfriend, niece, and best friend died unexpectedly, I didn't just lose people I loved. I lost my Self (yes, capital Self!).
What followed were nearly two decades of what I call "zombie-ing through life,” existing but not truly living.
My coping mechanism became control. I threw myself into work, keeping myself busy, perfecting every detail of my financial advisor practice. I planned obsessively, believing that if I could control every variable, I could protect myself from more pain.
Productivity became my measure of worth, perfectionism my shield, and what I now recognize as "gold-star syndrome" — the relentless pursuit of external validation — my daily survival strategy.
While successfully juggling roles as a mom, daughter, sister, friend, and professional, I had built steel walls around my heart. Hyper-independence became my armor, keeping everyone at arm's length while I maintained the illusion that I had everything together.
The breakthrough came through therapy, which didn't just crack that hardened shell. It completely obliterated the walls I'd spent decades building. For the first time in 20 years, I remembered what it felt like to want to live, not just survive.
I'm not an expert on grief or loss. I'm simply someone who's been through it and found a way back.
Today, I share this unfiltered journey because connection is what heals. In my darkest moments, I felt completely alone and invisible. The connection I made with my therapist literally saved my life, bringing me back from the edge when I wanted to end it all.
I share my story because if someone can see themselves in my experience, if my journey can be that one spark of hope that says "me too, and I made it through,” then every vulnerable moment on stage is worth it.
Whether your audience is facing grief from death, divorce, job loss, or shattered dreams, my message is simple: they don't have to figure out what comes next alone.
That's why I step onto every stage.
Why Book Helen?
Authentic Stories That Resonate
My journey through loss of loved ones, relationships, and identity reconstruction offers relatable narratives that connect with anyone facing life's inevitable transitions, creating genuine moments of recognition and hope.
Practical, Real-Life Strategies
Every talk includes actionable approaches your audience can implement immediately, from overcoming perfectionism and busyness to building authentic resilience in their daily lives, all drawn from what actually worked in my own healing journey.
Community-Building Impact
My talks spark honest conversations that heal isolation, leaving audiences connected not just to my message, but to each other and their own capacity for growth and transformation.
Hope Through Shared Experience
Drawing from my personal healing journey, I show audiences that transformation is possible. Not through expertise, but through the courage to keep going and share what I've personally learned that works.
Signature Talks
Transformational keynotes that blend raw storytelling with practical wisdom, designed to move hearts and change lives.
Loss of Any Kind: Universal Lessons in Recovery & Renewal
Grief extends far beyond death—encompassing lost relationships, careers, identities, and dreams. Through vulnerable storytelling and actionable insights, I guide audiences through the universal experience of loss toward authentic renewal and purpose.
Perfect for:
Retreats, corporate wellness events, or life transition workshops.
Grief as a Catalyst: Rebuilding a Meaningful Life After Heartbreak
Transform your deepest pain into your greatest purpose. Through my journey of rediscovering joy and meaning after devastating loss, audiences gain practical strategies and renewed hope for creating lives of authentic fulfillment.
Perfect for:
Motivational keynotes, faith-based gatherings, or storytelling festivals.
Redefining Success: How Loss Taught Me to Rethink Self-Worth
Loss shattered my perfectionism and revealed that success isn't about productivity. It's about presence. Learn to untangle your worth from achievement and rebuild with authentic self-compassion and sustainable practices.
Perfect for:
Leadership summits or personal development workshops.
Healing Beyond the Timeline: Managing Grief When the World Moves On
When others expect you to "move on," grief lingers — sudden or slow. Discover ways to honor your pace, cope with pressure, and move forward without rushing, with practical tools for ongoing emotional support.
Perfect for:
Support groups, podcasts, or mental health conferences.
What Audiences Gain
When I step off your stage, I want every person in that room to feel a little less alone in their struggle.
Audiences don't leave with a to-do list—they leave with renewed hope. They walk away reflecting on their own resilience, seeing their struggles through a different lens, and remembering that messy, nonlinear healing is possible.
Most importantly, they leave knowing their pain has purpose and their story isn't over.
Practical Grief Management Strategies
Attendees leave with step-by-step methods, like timed journaling rituals, to manage grief's waves without succumbing to external "move on" pressure, fostering personal peace amid ongoing roles like parenting or career demands.
Redefined Self-Worth & Self-Respect Framework
Concrete exercises to separate personal value from productivity, transforming "gold-star" habits into presence-focused goals that rebuild confidence after identity disruption.
Community Connection Tools for Sustained Hope & Growth
Actionable techniques spark supportive dialogues with peers, including shared storytelling prompts to create lasting networks of hope and healing extending far beyond the event.
Book Helen for Your Next Event
Ready to inspire transformation in your audience?
Explore how my message can create lasting impact at your event, conference, or podcast.
Fill out the form below with your details.
I'll respond promptly to discuss how we can bring hope and healing to your audience.