Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a 2x TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and powerhouse in the field of emotional health. As a dedicated family physician and Medical Director at Foundry Abbotsford—British Columbia’s largest youth health centre—Dr. Shahana Alibhai has made it her mission to empower others with the tools to navigate their emotional well-being.

Her debut book, Feel Better, endorsed by the legendary Mel Robbins, soared to #1 in and Parenting on Amazon. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Shahana Alibhai has worked with top organizations like Yale University, UBC, Scotiabank, and Remax, bringing clarity to the crucial connection between emotional and mental health.

Dr. Shahana Alibhai’s insights have captivated audiences on major media platforms, including CTV and Global, and her wisdom has even made it to Hollywood—the quote, “We do not suffer from a lack of joy, simply a lack of recognizing it”, was handpicked for an award-winning planner gifted to celebrities at the Oscars. Dr. Shahana Alibhai has also been featured in Medium – Authority Magazine, where she shared her expertise on emotional resilience and well-being. In recognition of her impact, she has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 YWCA Women of Distinction Award.

Passionate about education and outreach, she created the groundbreaking “Think Like a Doc” program, where students step into the shoes of a physician, learning about both their physical and mental health. Dr. Shahana Alibhai has also contributed to global mental health initiatives, volunteering her time to support communities in developing nations like Nepal.

Beyond her work in medicine and advocacy, Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a proud mom to three energetic young boys who keep her on her toes and continuously teach her the true meaning of patience, resilience, and joy. Balancing a thriving career with the beautiful chaos of motherhood, she brings a refreshingly real and relatable perspective to her audiences.

When Dr. Shahana Alibhai’s not on stage, in the clinic, or chasing after her little ones, Dr. Shahana Alibhai serves as a National Accreditor for the College of Canadian Family Physicians and has been a mentor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine Residency Training Program. Her TEDx talk, “Emotional Literacy for Better Mental Health”, has resonated with thousands, cementing her as a leading voice in the space of well-being and resilience.

With a unique ability to blend science, storytelling, and real-world strategies, Dr. Shahana Alibhai leaves every audience inspired, informed, and ready to feel better.

Keynotes Titles:

  • The Resilient Mind: How Leaders Build Emotional Agility in High-Pressure Environments

  • This is Not a Trend Understanding Menopause at Work, from Silent Struggle to Empowered Transition

  • When Nothing is Left : Using Emotional Literacy to Understand the Meaning of Burnout

  • Feel Better: Understanding Your Emotional Palette to Keep You from Getting Swept Away

  • Emotional Demographics & Capacity: The Neuroscience of Emotions

Testimonials

“Dr. Alibhai provided a unique presentation to a large group of staff from Correctional Services of Canada. The last thing employees wanted was ‘another self-care talk.’ Dr. Alibhai listened and delivered a presentation that went deeper than ‘self-care.’ The content was relatable, practical, and provided resources that could be used immediately. Corrections is a male-dominated industry and Dr. Alibhai helped women in Corrections to feel empowered to break down barriers to reach their career aspirations.”

Megan Van Allen
RHQ – Health Services
Ontario Region

“Dr. Shahana is a unique blend of compassion, expertise, passion, pragmatism and charisma. She quickly and clearly demonstrates her expertise while catching the audience’s attention and holding it for the duration of her talk. She provides real-life, practical advice while showing real care and concern for the people she helps. She is also funny and puts the audience at ease while dealing such sensitive material in a respectful way. She is responsive and goes the extra mile before and after to make for wonderful experience from beginning to end.”

Aly Winks
Manager, Events and Internal Communications
Vancouver Island University