“Dr. Exelbert has been such a joy to work with over the years, as both an expert on stories connecting mental health and exercise, as well as a collaborator on panel discussions. She brings a positive, uplifting spirit that shines brighter than other presenters, and clearly delivers her knowledge and expertise to an audience. I distinctly remember at a panel for half marathon runners, Dr. Exelbert not only gave engaging, insightful answers to my questions about the mental approach to training and racing, but she also led everyone through a mindfulness meditation. As I peeked around the room during that meditation, I could see everyone’s eyes closed and how much they were listening to her voice, and following her directions. And afterward, everyone raved about the event, especially those moments of mindfulness.”
Mallory Creveling, Deputy Editor, Health & Fitness, Runner’s World
Renee holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from New York University. Her career began as a Staff Psychologist at the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Winthrop Hospital, working with children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. Then, she became a cancer patient herself.
That experience profoundly shaped her perspective on the mind-body connection, leading her to found The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change. Through her work, she integrates psychotherapy and exercise to help individuals and teams develop mental and physical resilience to overcome adversity. She is also the creator of Visual Emotional Kinetics©, a technique that combines positive thoughts, visualization, and movement to help people break through obstacles and improve performance. She personally embraced this philosophy when she became a bodybuilding figure competitor, reclaiming control of her body after cancer.
Today, Renee works with leaders and teams, helping them harness the power of psychological and physical resilience to navigate challenges, manage stress, and perform at their best. She speaks on mental strength, overcoming adversity, and the mind-body connection, offering insights not only from her clinical expertise but also from lived experience.
Many teams and organizations face burnout, stress, and uncertainty, leading to exhaustion, disengagement, and reduced performance. Renee provides a science-backed approach, combining psychology, physical resilience techniques, and Visual Emotional Kinetics© to equip individuals with practical tools for navigating these challenges and achieving long-term success.
Her work has been featured in Thrive Global, Good Housekeeping, The New York Post, Parade Magazine, CNBC, Today, Popsugar, Runner’s World, Shape Magazine, and on television outlets including Fox5 News, Newsmax, NewsNation, News12 and Merit Street Media. She is the author of “Chemo Muscles: Lessons Learned from Being a Psycho-Oncologist and Cancer Patient” (Mascot Books, 2020) and is a sought-after expert for media contributions on resilience, mental health, and the mind-body connection.
In addition to her work with organizations, Renee maintains a private practice in Nyack, New York, where she treats children, adolescents, adults, and families. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, teaching Masters-level psychology courses.
Renee is committed to advocacy and education, having served on the Advisory Board for Sunrise Day Camp for children with cancer and currently as Chair of the Advocacy, Education, and Awareness Governance Board for Fight Cancer Global.
For organizations seeking an expert speaker or consultant to help teams build resilience, overcome adversity, and leverage the power of the mind-body connection, Dr. Renee Exelbert delivers transformative insights and practical strategies that create lasting impact.
The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change
The Metamorphosis Center is an integrative center focused on the mind-body connection. The mind-body connection states that physical health is influenced by thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and conversely, thoughts, feelings and behaviors (or our emotional well-being), can be influenced by physical symptoms.
