High School and College Speaker

A mental health conversation students remember.

Evan Transue brings lived experience, candor, and practical language to the conversations young people are already having—often alone.

570+professional presentations to date
Watch the demo reel
Evan Transue speaking on stage with a microphone
What schools are saying
“Evan was outstanding. I have been a middle school teacher/administrator for 20 years. He was the best presenter I have seen in an assembly in my career. 3 assemblies in one day- 850 kids fully engaged for 40 minutes each. You could hear a pin drop.”
Unami Middle School · Pennsylvania

See Evan in action.

Meet Evan

He knows what it’s like to be the student who needs the talk.

Evan Transue at a podcast microphone

Evan Transue is a speaker, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate whose work is grounded in lived experience. Once a straight-A student recommended for his school district’s gifted program, Evan’s path shifted as untreated mental health symptoms intensified. Anxiety in early childhood progressed into daily panic attacks, deep depression, substance abuse, and ultimately legal trouble—spending his 18th birthday on house arrest.

A pivotal personal loss forced him to confront the direction of his life. Through sustained self-education, accountability, and disciplined personal growth, he rebuilt from the ground up. Today, Evan speaks in high schools and colleges about anxiety, depression, identity, destructive coping mechanisms, and the critical difference between normal stress and clinical mental health challenges. His presentations combine raw honesty with structured, practical tools students can immediately apply.

Before the age of 27, Evan had delivered over 500 live presentations. He has also conducted more than 700 podcast interviews, sharpening his ability to ask meaningful questions and navigate complex conversations with clarity.

Evan is a former Director of PR and Partnerships at Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, where he hosted the Health Detective Podcast and helped lead national educational initiatives. He has since founded and co-founded ventures including Autoimmune Recovery Lab and Bucks County Light Therapy and Functional Medicine Center.

His central mission remains preventative: equipping young people with the awareness, language, and resilience he wishes he had earlier in life.

Talks are educational and personal; they are not a replacement for clinical care or school support services.

The approach

Real story. Useful language. Room for the hard questions.

Evan speaks openly about experiencing panic, depression, and the consequences of decisions made during a difficult adolescence. His talks give students a way to recognize what they may be facing and start a conversation with someone they trust.

For educators and event organizers, the goal is a room that feels engaged and respected, with a message that continues after the assembly ends.

Evan's Most Requested Speech, The "Aha" Moment!

Reviewed by The Scattergood Foundation, this talk is proven to increase the rates of students asking for help, in addition to reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues from audience members who do not deal with these problems.

01 / Panic & Anxiety

When anxiety takes over

A plainspoken look at panic, the difference between everyday anxiety and a disorder, and how to ask for support.

02 / Depression

Recognizing the downward spiral

How depression can change over time, why it can be hard to name, and why reaching out early matters.

03 / Substance Abuse

When coping creates another problem

Evan explains how substances can become a harmful solution to the real problem—and how to recognize what’s underneath, choose healthier ways to cope, and ask for help.

04 / Recovery

Your story is still being written

Evan’s path from a turbulent teen experience toward recovery, responsibility, and purpose.

In the room
Evan discussing depression progression on stage
Students in an auditorium watching Evan speak
Evan presenting beside an Ursinus College banner
Evan presenting to students in a smaller auditorium
An article featuring Evan and his message about asking for support
Audience members listening to a presentation in a room with tables
A large student audience gathered for a presentation in a gym
Evan taking a photo with an auditorium audience behind him
Evan presenting on stage with a Growing Up slide behind him
Evan speaking on stage to an auditorium audience
Evan participating in an interview at a table with a microphone
School, student & parent feedback

The conversation continues after the talk.

“Students were able to open up to the counseling department with struggles they had not wanted to share until they heard Evan’s story and his advice. The presentation was very powerful and needed at our school. We received great feedback from teachers and students. Thank you for making a difference!”
Jenny Diamond, School CounselorConwell-Egan Catholic High School · Pennsylvania
“Evan’s presentation was terrific and comprehensive in nature. It showed how mental health can deteriorate over time if left unaddressed and the student is feeling a lack of control.”
Snyder Middle SchoolPennsylvania
“I am still hearing from the student community about how well-received Evan’s message was to kids. Thank you.”
Abington Friends SchoolPennsylvania
“He was very enthusiastic and he had a very good character. I was given a really detailed perspective on what addiction and depression were like from Evan. He was the best speaker we’ve had so far and it was great to hear his story.”
Student evaluationsJenkintown High School · Pennsylvania
More student feedback
“I enjoyed the presentation very much, Evan was very relatable and he made me think about Mental Health and Substance Abuse in a totally different way.”
“My favorite speaker, I could really relate to him and it was a very interesting story.”
“I know it looks like I went through and just marked 5’s but I have absolutely nothing negative to say at all. Evan was even able to resolve a technology issue we were having and then adapt his presentation into the remaining time.”
Mike Rose, TeacherThomas Jefferson High School · Pennsylvania
“Even though the presentation was virtual, our speakers kept our students engaged and involved. We are at an all-boys school and the presenters did an excellent job working with the clientele. I look forward to hearing these presentations and my students’ reactions to the presentation every year.”
Bethany DeWitt, School CounselorMalvern Preparatory School · Pennsylvania
“Evan was fantastic and did an amazing job. Would love to have him back next year.”
Kristen Stash, Health and PE TeacherMars Area High School · Pennsylvania
“Evan is exceptional! This is what he was meant to do. I see him making a huge difference on so many levels.”
Patty Ehret, Health EducatorUpper Merion High School · Pennsylvania
“They answered my students’ questions and were so kind and heartfelt in their stories. I appreciate them coming in so much and have already had several students reach out asking for help, which I don’t think they would have done prior to these presentations. I can’t thank you enough for the impact it has made on my students.”
Kaleena Estrada, Teacher-HPEPittsburgh Public Schools · Pennsylvania
“Students gave positive feedback and we also received comments from parents of how their child talked about our presenter. The presentation is such an important topic and we will have him come back to our school.”
Amy Certo, Health and Physical Education TeacherManasquan High School · New Jersey
A parent’s perspective
“As a mom, I don’t think there is a greater gift than to have your kid feel hopeful about the future. Evan, please know that sharing your story is shaping young lives. Your words matter to kids like Luke.”
Jen, ParentFollowing Evan’s visit to Tohickon · Excerpt from a parent’s letter
Jenkintown High SchoolSchool feedback
Mars Area High SchoolKristen Stash · Health and PE Teacher
Austin, TexasEvent feedback
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