Matt Bellace

Matt Bellace has been involved with drug and alcohol prevention efforts since he was a student.  In 1993, as a sophomore at Bucknell University, Matt founded a grassroots prevention group called C.A.L.V.I.N. & H.O.B.B.E.S. (Creating A Lively Ingenious New Habit Of Being (at) Bucknell (and) Enjoying Sobriety).  The group provides substance-free social and residential options for Bucknell students.  Former Bucknell president, William “Bro” Adams, referred to the organization as “revolutionary.”  In 1996, the group moved into a 23-bedroom, former fraternity house on campus, prompting US News & World Report to remark, “…how times have changed.”  The group recently celebrated its 17-year anniversary and is proud to have inspired a dozen similar “sibling organizations” at other colleges across the US.

 A member of the National Speakers Association, Matt has been speaking nationally and internationally since 1995.  His “How to Get High, Naturally!” program has been described as a combination of stand-up comedy, audience participation and empowering stories.  Dr. Bellace has spoken at national prevention and leadership conferences, such as SADD and FCCLA.  His schedule regularly includes over 200 personal appearances each year, including colleges, high school and middle schools, parent programs, staff trainings and comedy clubs.  Matt is also the author of the book, A Better High, which is a humorous look at achieving healthy natural highs every day.

As a stand-up comedian, Matt’s credits include truTV’s, “The Smoking Gun Presents,” Sirius XM Satellite Radio and National Public Radio (NPR).

In June 2005, Matt received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA).  Dr. Bellace’s sub-specialty is in pediatric neuropsychology, the study of the developing brain and behavior. He completed his internship at The Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Medicine Department in New York City, working with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury patients.  Dr. Bellace’s dissertation work focused on emotional memory – an expertise that is not lost when he presents to an audience.