Rochelle Rice, CSP, AS, is a nationally recognized speaker, author and educator.
She is the FIRST woman in the world to hold both the Accredited Speaker (AS) designation from Toastmasters International and the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association. A former professional jazz dancer, her passion stems from the inordinate amount of stress in our society placed on thinness rather than overall health and wellness.
As a Health at Every Size® practitioner, she motivates people to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, information and implementation, and awareness and accomplishment when it comes to their health. Her keynote speeches and programs help people identify what is already working in their lives, rather than shaming them on what they are not doing. Providing confidence, trust and hope, with a solid, proven technique, her message is one of unwavering faith in people’s unique ability to create a life of personal leadership – putting their health first.
Imagine being able to trust your body again.
Rochelle has been a member of Bryant Park Toastmasters since 2001. Serving as President of the Club, she continued its long-standing tradition of being a President’s Distinguished Club. Her commitment to public speaking led her to a professional career, becoming a Toastmasters Accredited Speaker in 2010, one of only 66 in the world. She has presented keynotes, break-outs and workshops at District Conferences in four Districts.
Rochelle has been a member of the National Speakers Association since 2004. She is Chair of the National Speakers Association Chapter Leadership Committee, was on the NSA Speaker Magazine Editorial Board, was Chapter Member of the Year, and served as President of the thriving NYC Chapter, doubling its membership during her term.
Rochelle received her undergraduate in dance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her graduate work at New York University, specializing in her movement technique. She is also a graduate of the CHRIS ® Technique and has blended her studies with her weight management work.
Rochelle regularly appears as a guest on radio talk shows and has appeared as a size sensitivity expert on Fox News, ABC World News Tonight and the CBS Early Show. Her movement program has been featured in the New York Times, the LA Times, Family Circle and Fit Magazine. She is the author of Real Fitness for Real Women (Warner, 2001).
Her passion for dance continues today with her work with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst New York Professional Outreach Program (NYPOP) for dancers. She also teaches Simonson Jazz Technique occasionally at STEPS in NYC and other studios across the country. She continues to study dance and yoga on a regular basis.
When not traveling and speaking, you can find Rochelle gardening, biking or joining another organization or community. She has her motorcycle license and an affinity for Harley Davidson apparel. Her love of family spills over in all of her work as she believes no one should ever feel left out or have the feeling they are not on the ‘in’ crowd. As human beings, we are meant to be together, and Rochelle makes it a personal mission to create a sense of family, community and inclusion with everything she does.