Top Motivational Influencers on Instagram

It has been a rough time for motivation. From lockdowns and school closures to Zoom meetings and divisive politics, many of us are still reeling from the effects of one of the most mentally and emotionally taxing times in history. Luckily, there are plenty of motivational influencers on social media to help us get organized, stay healthy, manage our time, unlock our creativity, and re-engage with society. Thanks to these authors, leaders, psychologists, and motivational speakers, we can tune in for inspiring quotes, tips, lessons, and thought-provoking videos when we’re ready to make progress. 

Get inspired by these motivational influencers on Instagram

Followers of these accounts find manifestation tips, leadership training, connection and life advice.

Michell C. Clark

Writer, strategist, and adviser Michell has created a brand based on daily affirmations. He’s been featured in Forbes for his weekly #SpreadLoveSunday series in which he highlights empowering and inspiring sentiments from other writers, as well as for his book, “Keep It 100: Daily Affirmations for Millennials Who Are Tired of Being Called Millennials.” This Shake influencer even created a 2022 affirmation calendar.

Romeo Johnson

If Romeo’s shirtless photos and workout videos don’t motivate you to start exercising, there are other facets to his Instagram account that might inspire you. His 35.8K followers look to Romeo for posts about finding peace and outgrowing people, and life lessons he’s picked up during his 40-plus years on Earth. Best of all, this Shake influencer reminds his fans not to believe the hype of fake happiness that they see on social media.

Kelvin Davis

An activist, model, dancer, and Shake influencer who refers to himself as a “body-positive gentleman,” Kelvin’ has made his Instagram exactly what you’d expect from the author of “Notoriously Dapper: How to Be a Modern Gentleman with Manners, Style and Body Confidence.” His posts about acts of care and body positivity are uplifting, but sharing his own story about being diagnosed with diabetes is also motivating in its hopefulness.

Richard Williams

Forbes named Richard (who is better known by his stage name, Prince Ea) to its “30 Under 30” list. Oprah named the spoken-word artist and activist to her Super Soul 100 list of innovators and visionaries. Topics in his posts range from personal growth and living without regret to gratitude and negative thinking.

Gabby Sansosti

Gabby is a wellness coach and certified personal trainer with 14.9K Instagram followers. On her page she promotes positive mindsets and motivation for her followers through her workout videos. She often posts content focusing on working out one part of the body at a time like in her glute exercise and core workout videos.

Amy Purdy

Few people can inspire you more than a three-time Paralympic medalist, and Amy’s 414K Instagram followers have seen that she lives up to that calling. The motivational speaker shares her own tools for combating stress and talks about the gift of challenge with other inspiring guests. Her posts about resiliency and overcoming obstacles are just the kind of advice we expect from someone who makes the most out of each day.

Iyanla Vanzant

You might know the bestselling author by name, but if you’re not following her inspirational posts on Instagram, you’re missing out. She’s been helping her followers navigate through the pandemic with her Mind Matters Meditations app and frequently posts about the importance of self-love and self-care. Iyanla’s vulnerability shows through to her 1.5 million followers when she is being transparent in posts about her own struggles.

Gretchen Rubin

In her quest to find happiness, Gretchen wrote three books on the subject, including “The Happiness Project.” Her 180K Instagram followers get inspiration from posts like “9 Tips for Having a Good Bad Day” and “7 Tips for Sticking With Your Habit Resolutions.” She also hosts a podcast called “Happier” and she just launched the Happier app.

Gabby Bernstein

Named a “new thought leader” by Oprah, Gabby is a New York Times best-selling author, host of the DearGabby Podcast, and founder of the 2022 Manifesting Challenge. Her 1 million Instagram followers are reminded that they’re not alone in their struggles and that the Universe is “an ever-present energy of love.” Gabby’s comforting posts encourage those who are in a dark place to remember that there’s a “light on the other side.”  

Tony Robbins

Tony might be the biggest name in motivational speaking, which might be what helped him initially draw in 5.8 million followers on Instagram. But retaining followers can only be credited to his videos about gratitude and awe and ending suffering with appreciation. His posts about feeling fulfilled and finding meaning in life offer pithy insights to those who might feel lost or burned out by a lack of balance.  

Les Brown

When he’s not running his Hungry For Greatness speaker academy, legendary training coach Les is posting about getting out of your comfort zone and writing down your goals. His videos on motivation and believing in your dreams give his 470K followers hope that they can create their destiny. He recently co-wrote “Ignite the Hunger in You”— a book offering tools to overcoming real challenges — with the Pink Billionaire.