I spark real conversations about mental health in the workplace and beyond with leaders and their teams so that we can all live well while achieving even more.
However, I’m not just a subject matter expert.
I’m a business leader trying to “figure it out” on the front lines just like you.
We’re expected to do amazing work while taking care of ourselves and our families in an incredibly stressful world.
It can feel impossible . . . but it doesn’t have to be.
What makes me different from other speakers
I’m not only a speaker, coach, or thought leader.
I am a husband and father to two amazing daughters via transracial adoption, a world champion competitive powerlifter, and a leader in the field of Health + Performance in the workplace. I am currently Director of Health + Performance at Google.
Since returning to Google in May 2022, via dozens of talks, workshops, and interviews, I’ve openly shared my mental health story as well as my insights and expertise in order to help break the stigma regarding mental health in the workplace so that individuals and teams can live well while achieving even more.
My talk “Breaking the Stigma” at the 2023 University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business Alumni Conference
Services
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Keynotes, Interviews, and Panels
Set the tone for your event by having me vulnerably share my mental health story, offer your audience actionable insights that I’ve learned along the way on how they can “break the stigma” around them as well. As one organizer said, “Newton’s story was essential.”
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Workshop for teams and organizations
This workshop is designed to help groups and teams put stigma aside, and have vulnerable and actionable discussions about what each person needs not only to take care of themselves, but to perform at their best in all the most important roles they play in life - parent, partner, leader, and beyond.
This experience works particularly well with teams, ERG’s and affinity groups, as well as groups of leaders with similar challenges.
Testimonials
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“Newton instantly electrified the audience with a story that juxtaposes his successful career at Google, his drive to be a world champion powerlifter, and the demons he fought inside.
He is a much needed voice for workplace mental health.”
Morra Aarons-Mele, best-selling author and podcast host of “The Anxious Achiever”
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“You reminded us that it is critical that we focus on our own emotional health and wellbeing because doing so is essential to being able to manage the complex systems of our lives--from our families, our relationships, and our careers.
You helped catalyze and kick start some important reflections on where we might need to grow and develop as individuals so that we can show up as better, stronger, more resilient and healthier versions of ourselves.”
Mike Werner, Head of Circular Economy, Google
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“Newton brings so many dimensions to his presentations that I find helpful. First, and possibly foremost, he brings a vulnerability through his poignant and honest personal experiences.
The audience relates to these experiences and connects immediately. Second, Newton has a great ear for emerging emotional regulation issues in the workplace. He’s a careful listener, taking time to process what he hears from employees, then providing thoughtful and generalizable insights to participants. Third, Newton is extremely intelligent and raises the discussion above common sense, allowing participants to leave with new and important ideas to consider.”
Vic Strecher, professor and director for innovation and social entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan School of Public Health
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"Newton came and spoke to my Berkeley-Haas undergraduate class of Cal student athletes on mental health and wellbeing. He courageously shared his own story. My students had never heard someone who is both a business leader and championship athlete speak with such bravery and honesty.
They were riveted and held on to every word and take-away and commented that they had never been a part of such an open and real conversation in their student nor athlete experiences, and he gave them the courage to start speaking about their own journeys through mental health and well-being challenges.”
Kellie McElhaney, John C. Whitehead Distinguished Faculty Fellow in Corporate Responsibility and founding director of the Center for Responsible Business at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley.
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"Newton Cheng was a special guest for FRIED. The Burnout Podcast. My audience had been craving a message like his - a message from someone who burnt out in corporate and managed to stay in his job after recovery.
My audience was thrilled to have this example and representation set out for them and many told me how relieved they were that they wouldn't have to quit their jobs or become life coaches to recover from burnout. Newton's ability to share his story from the scar instead of the wound allows him to go deep into subjects and topics that are so universal and inspire many. My favorite part of our conversation was Newton's ability to break down his process into frameworks that are simple for other people to try on while they listen. This is a true talent and should not go ignored - a lot of my listeners now have their own version of Newton's 3-legged stool (you'll have to listen for more info on that ;)). On top of being a great guest, Newton is genuinely a good person who has whole hearted goals and beautiful visions for where his story can make an impact.”
Cait Donovan, burnout expert, podcast host of “Fried: The Burnout Podcast”
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"Newton does something more than present, he offers a testimonial. His vulnerability is palpable, and as such his connection with the audience is immediate.
Combine that with his structured storytelling approach, and you have the makings of a transformative experience that leaves audience members wanting more, and committed to championing mental health and wellbeing.”
Michael Martin, Climate, ESG, and Mental Health Champion I Google Energy, Infrastructure, and Sustainability
