Happiness Instigator
You’ve probably heard of motivational speakers. You’ve likely met leaders who talk about success, drive, and hustle. But let me ask you this:
When was the last time someone walked into your organization, lit up the room, and instigated happiness?
Not just inspired it. Not just encouraged it. Instigated it.
That’s what I do.
That’s who I am.
I’m Phil Gerbyshak — The Happiness Instigator.
So, what is a Happiness Instigator?
A Happiness Instigator is someone who refuses to let burnout win.
Someone who calls out the lie that “busy equals valuable.”
Someone who chooses joy on purpose, who knows that positivity isn't fluff—it's fuel.
A Happiness Instigator creates a ripple effect in every room they enter, online and offline, by doing the unthinkable in today’s stress-soaked world:
They model what it means to be energized, present, and fully alive—and then help others do the same.
How I Live It
Being The Happiness Instigator isn’t just a title. It’s not a gimmick or a slogan I slapped on a business card. It’s how I live, how I lead, and how I speak.
Here’s what that looks like in real life:
🧭 I Start with Purpose
Happiness isn’t some accidental emotion you feel when things go your way. It’s a practice. A mindset. A decision. Every morning, I ask:
“How can I fuel happiness in someone today?”
Whether I’m speaking to 500 people at a conference, coaching a leader, or sharing a smile at a coffee shop in Hamilton, Ohio, I am constantly instigating moments of meaning.
🔥 I Light Fires Where Burnout Smolders
I don’t ignore burnout. I’ve lived through it. I’ve studied it. And I’ve stood on stage and seen the weary eyes of audiences who are running on fumes. You can’t fight burnout with a better calendar app or one more motivational quote.
You fight it by reconnecting people to what fuels them.
By giving them permission to slow down and breathe.
By reminding them that happiness isn’t a reward—it’s the foundation for everything worth doing.
When I walk off a stage or end a coaching session, I don’t want people to say, “That was fun.”
I want them to say, “That was freeing.”
⚡ I Bring Energy That’s Contagious (in the Best Way)
Let’s be real: Most people don’t need another lecture.
They need a jolt.
They need to remember what it feels like to laugh, to connect, to be seen.
So I show up as myself—fully energized, honest, and just the right mix of funny and firm. I don’t fake energy. I create it. And people feel it. They feed off it. And most importantly—they carry it back into their workplaces, families, and communities.
That’s the power of happiness when it’s instigated, not just suggested.
💥 I Deliver Strategies That Actually Work
Look—I’m not here to sprinkle fairy dust and hope your team suddenly finds joy. I bring real, research-backed strategies that unlock performance, boost engagement, and cut through the chaos. From my years in leadership, sales, and corporate training, I know what works in the real world.
And I’ve helped hundreds of leaders and thousands of professionals implement simple but powerful shifts that transform the way they work—and live.
Happiness isn’t just a soft skill. It’s a success strategy. And I show people how to make it their edge.
🎯 I Speak With Heart—and Call People Higher
When I get up to speak, I don’t pretend to be perfect. I’m not afraid to talk about the hard stuff—because happiness isn’t about pretending life is easy. It’s about choosing to lead with light, even when things are dark.
I challenge people. I invite them to take responsibility for their energy. I call them to stop settling for burnout and start building something better—at work, at home, and in their own minds.
Why It Matters
Here’s the truth:
76% of people are burned out.
Most professionals are surviving, not thriving.
And workplaces are crying out for something real, refreshing, and radically human.
Being The Happiness Instigator is my way of responding to that cry.
It’s my mission to remind people—loudly, boldly, unapologetically—that happiness is possible. Not later. Not someday. Today.
And that it’s not selfish. It’s smart. It’s strategic. It’s how we build better teams, stronger leaders, and more resilient organizations.
If You Want to Spark Change—Start with Joy
So, if you’re looking for someone to tick a box on your speaker list, I might not be your guy.
But if you’re ready to shake things up, re-energize your people, and create a culture where happiness isn’t a perk—it’s the plan...
Then let’s talk.
Because I’m Phil Gerbyshak.
And I’m The Happiness Instigator.