Chris Coladonato
Speaker and Wellbeing Coach at Connection Catalyst
Professional Training and Coaching
Baltimore, MD, USA
Biography
Busy. Overwhelmed. Constantly “on.”
If this sounds like your audience, then Chris Coladonato brings the permission—and the practices—to slow down and reconnect.
Chris is a speaker, coach, and founder of Connection Catalyst, where she helps driven humans slow down—not to do less, but to live and lead with more clarity, presence, and purpose. Through immersive keynotes and workshops, Chris invites audiences to step out of the hustle and into meaningful connection—with themselves and the world around them.
Her work is rooted in her own story. After years of overachieving and always being “on,” Chris finally slowed down—and in that pause, she rediscovered something powerful: her clarity, her calm, and her creativity. Now, she helps others do the same. With warmth, humor, and just the right amount of nudge, Chris helps people rediscover the magic that emerges when we unplug, pause, and listen within.
Chris isn’t here to hand out checklists or hustle hacks. She creates space—space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are underneath the noise of all the to-do’s and busyness. From that space, something shifts. You begin to feel again. Think clearly again. Create again. And show up as your most present, grounded self.
Her talks are both grounding and energizing, blending story, science, and insight. Whether she’s speaking to purpose-driven leaders, busy professionals, creatives, or caregivers, Chris helps audiences realize: slowing down isn’t falling behind—it’s a powerful step forward.
Signature themes include:
- Slowing down as a leadership strategy
- Rest as a tool for resilience and clarity
- Reclaiming creativity through presence and pause
- Using nature as a mirror for self-discovery and renewal
Chris is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), a former member of the ATD International Board of Directors, and a Certified Forest Bathing Guide.
Want to offer your audience the gift of slowing down? Book Chris for your next keynote, workshop, or retreat experience.
Passion
My passions are spending time in and learning from nature, helping humans connect with themselves and the world around them, hiking, walking in nature, paint by numbers, disco music (and 80s too!) and sewing.
Origin Story
Feeling drained by the constant "doing" of our fast-paced world? You're not alone. I was that person too. I craved a deeper sense of connection – to myself, others, and the world around us. And yet, how was I supposed to slow down and make those connections in a world that always seems to be speeding up?
I searched for that answer in books, podcasts and articles for years; hoping that one day I’d find the answer. Until then, I kept pushing myself to do more and be more. And where did that get me? Burnt out. Feeling so alone and unfulfilled. Like..what am I even doing here? It left me fried physically and mentally. It left me thinking about everyone else and not myself. It left me not honoring or celebrating myself, my gifts and my life. It left me as a shell of Chris.
It wasn’t until I started really connecting with myself that I started to feel again. That I started to understand and honor my needs and gifts. That I started to see what was possible and let go what no longer served me. That I started to really love myself. And it all started with a solo trip to a spa that was surrounded by nature. I spent days connecting with nature and it fostered a deep sense of presence and connection that transformed my life. I then found myself going to the forest when I needed clarity and inspiration and even when I needed healing from breast cancer. And it was there that I started to realize that the answer was within me all along. I just needed to slow down, get quiet and listen to my own inner voice.
This is what I help shift for others - a deeper connection with themselves. This is what I want for others. To learn that by slowing down, by disconnecting…they can reconnect with themselves. Whether it’s because they need time to themselves to get calm, to get inspired, to find clarity or to remember who they are. And that when they do that, they are not falling behind or being selfish. They are honoring the most important relationship - one with self.
Example talks
Your Work Matters, But So Do You
We live in a world obsessed with busyness. The more we do, the more we’re praised. Achievements, productivity, being constantly "on" - these have become our badges of honor.
But what if this drive to do more is actually pulling us away from the life we truly want to live?
In this powerful and deeply personal keynote, Chris Coladonato shares her own journey of chasing external validation, wearing busyness like a badge (and a security blanket), and the moment a cancer diagnosis cracked it all wide open. It was a wake-up call.
A reminder that we only get this one life, and we don’t need a crisis to start living it fully.
Chris invites audiences to reconsider their relationship with busyness and embrace the radical act of slowing down. Not as an escape, but as a strategy for reconnecting - with yourself and the present moment.
With humor, vulnerability, and a spark of rebellion, this talk dares people to stop scrolling through their lives and start savoring them - because the vibrant, technicolor life we crave isn’t found in the hustle. It’s found in each moment.
Dare to Slow Down: A Smarter Way to Work, Create, and Thrive Without Burning Out
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to just breathe can feel impossible. With endless to-do lists, demanding schedules, and digital distractions, it’s easy to move through life on autopilot - always busy, but rarely present.
But what if slowing down wasn’t a luxury, but a strategy for success?
In this talk, Chris Coladonato will introduce the power of intentional pauses: small but impactful moments of stillness that can transform how we work and live. These pauses aren’t about stepping away from responsibilities; they’re about creating space to reconnect with our purpose, focus, and clarity.
Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, Chris will show attendees how to integrate mindful breaks into their daily routine to reduce stress, sharpen focus, and bring more clarity and balance into their lives.
This talk is for those who feel caught in the hustle of constant busyness and are ready to break free.
Revive Your Vibe in Nature: The Healing Power of Nature to Restore and Reconnect
Reconnect with your inner spark—one mindful moment at a time. Feeling drained or disconnected? Nature holds the key to recharging your energy, calming your mind, and igniting your creativity. Whether you're seeking peace in the chaos of your day or a deeper connection to yourself, this talk is designed to help you find grounding in the natural world, wherever you are.
In this inspiring and restorative talk, Chris Coladonato will guide you through the transformative power of nature - whether it’s the tree outside your office window, the sunlight filtering through your space, or a moment of stillness in a nearby park. Nature is always there, and it’s more accessible than we realize.
Drawing from personal experience and scientific research, Chris will show you how small, intentional moments in nature can reduce stress, boost your mood, and spark creativity - while fostering a deeper sense of presence and connection.
You’ll leave with practical tools to integrate nature into your daily routine, even amidst a busy schedule. It’s about creating space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most—without stepping away from your responsibilities.
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Origin Story
Feeling drained by the constant "doing" of our fast-paced world? You're not alone. I was that person too. I craved a deeper sense of connection – to myself, others, and the world around us. And yet, how was I supposed to slow down and make those connections in a world that always seems to be speeding up?
I searched for that answer in books, podcasts and articles for years; hoping that one day I’d find the answer. Until then, I kept pushing myself to do more and be more. And where did that get me? Burnt out. Feeling so alone and unfulfilled. Like..what am I even doing here? It left me fried physically and mentally. It left me thinking about everyone else and not myself. It left me not honoring or celebrating myself, my gifts and my life. It left me as a shell of Chris.
It wasn’t until I started really connecting with myself that I started to feel again. That I started to understand and honor my needs and gifts. That I started to see what was possible and let go what no longer served me. That I started to really love myself. And it all started with a solo trip to a spa that was surrounded by nature. I spent days connecting with nature and it fostered a deep sense of presence and connection that transformed my life. I then found myself going to the forest when I needed clarity and inspiration and even when I needed healing from breast cancer. And it was there that I started to realize that the answer was within me all along. I just needed to slow down, get quiet and listen to my own inner voice.
This is what I help shift for others - a deeper connection with themselves. This is what I want for others. To learn that by slowing down, by disconnecting…they can reconnect with themselves. Whether it’s because they need time to themselves to get calm, to get inspired, to find clarity or to remember who they are. And that when they do that, they are not falling behind or being selfish. They are honoring the most important relationship - one with self.
Example talks
Your Work Matters, But So Do You
We live in a world obsessed with busyness. The more we do, the more we’re praised. Achievements, productivity, being constantly "on" - these have become our badges of honor.
But what if this drive to do more is actually pulling us away from the life we truly want to live?
In this powerful and deeply personal keynote, Chris Coladonato shares her own journey of chasing external validation, wearing busyness like a badge (and a security blanket), and the moment a cancer diagnosis cracked it all wide open. It was a wake-up call.
A reminder that we only get this one life, and we don’t need a crisis to start living it fully.
Chris invites audiences to reconsider their relationship with busyness and embrace the radical act of slowing down. Not as an escape, but as a strategy for reconnecting - with yourself and the present moment.
With humor, vulnerability, and a spark of rebellion, this talk dares people to stop scrolling through their lives and start savoring them - because the vibrant, technicolor life we crave isn’t found in the hustle. It’s found in each moment.
Dare to Slow Down: A Smarter Way to Work, Create, and Thrive Without Burning Out
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to just breathe can feel impossible. With endless to-do lists, demanding schedules, and digital distractions, it’s easy to move through life on autopilot - always busy, but rarely present.
But what if slowing down wasn’t a luxury, but a strategy for success?
In this talk, Chris Coladonato will introduce the power of intentional pauses: small but impactful moments of stillness that can transform how we work and live. These pauses aren’t about stepping away from responsibilities; they’re about creating space to reconnect with our purpose, focus, and clarity.
Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, Chris will show attendees how to integrate mindful breaks into their daily routine to reduce stress, sharpen focus, and bring more clarity and balance into their lives.
This talk is for those who feel caught in the hustle of constant busyness and are ready to break free.
Revive Your Vibe in Nature: The Healing Power of Nature to Restore and Reconnect
Reconnect with your inner spark—one mindful moment at a time. Feeling drained or disconnected? Nature holds the key to recharging your energy, calming your mind, and igniting your creativity. Whether you're seeking peace in the chaos of your day or a deeper connection to yourself, this talk is designed to help you find grounding in the natural world, wherever you are.
In this inspiring and restorative talk, Chris Coladonato will guide you through the transformative power of nature - whether it’s the tree outside your office window, the sunlight filtering through your space, or a moment of stillness in a nearby park. Nature is always there, and it’s more accessible than we realize.
Drawing from personal experience and scientific research, Chris will show you how small, intentional moments in nature can reduce stress, boost your mood, and spark creativity - while fostering a deeper sense of presence and connection.
You’ll leave with practical tools to integrate nature into your daily routine, even amidst a busy schedule. It’s about creating space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most—without stepping away from your responsibilities.