Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are The UP Guys – and not your typical corporate, educational, or motivational speakers.
They have uplifted and empowered one million+ people, winning rave reviews as entertainers, edutainers, and emcees.
Their "FUNdamentals" programs are fun mindset training for a bright future…
⇣The UP Guys share fun mindset training for wellness, mental health, leadership, and more – reinforcing proven principles via humor, variety arts, music, and interactive activities. It is evidence-based edutainment, described as "TED Talks meets America’s Got Talent!”
Participants learn powerful:
Foundations – Values, Relationships, Purpose, Creative Outlets
Mindsets – Positive, Present, Purposeful, Playful
Life Skills – Overcome, Adapt, WIN, Improvise
Applications ... Through experiential learning!
Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are overcomers who have uplifted and empowered one million+ people – Nels as a clean comedian, juggler, and educator; Richie as a singer, impersonator, and "The Mental Health NUT"; and both as inspirational speakers and edutainers.
...Developed with Dr. Kate Ansuini, professor and researcher at Buffalo State University.
Based on a review of 1,000+ studies from highly-regarded, peer-reviewed journals.
Applies to corporate, educational, government, healthcare, and motivational objectives.
Adapts to keynote, professional development, staff training, or event host content.
They make teamwork and professional development fun (and funny).
They value Rotary "gffts" of goodwill, friendship, fairness, truth, and service.
As clean comedians, they can address serious issues with humor. But they save politics for family holidays.
Nels has a Masters in Education plus "degrees" in Positive Humor Development, Variety Arts, and General Foolishness.
His training includes theater, circus arts, and juggling five kids.
He uses his first and middle names to confuse creditors and crazy relatives.
Richie promotes creativity and Nurturing Uplifting Thinking (NUT), as a presenter and certified life coach.
He fought anxiety and fear of stuttering to be a performer, speaker, and radio personality for "Mental Health Moments."
He has worked with top talents at events and resorts across North America.
1000+ Colleges & Schools • 3M Company • Akzo Nobel • Albright-Knox Art Gallery • American Heart Association • ArcelorMittal • Artpark • Association of California School Administrators • Benderson Development • BorgWarner • Buffalo Bills • Buffalo Bisons • Buffalo Sabres • Calspan • Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership • Chautauqua Institution • Cognigen Corporation • Cornell University • Corning Inc. • Corning Museum of Glass • Creative Problem Solving Institute • Dresser-Rand • Fisher-Price • Gold Wing Road Riders • H&R Block • Harley-Davidson • Holiday Valley Resorts • HSBC Bank • Independent Health • Ingram Micro • M&T Bank • Mack Trucks • Mental Health Association • Moog • Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute • National Center for Education Research & Technology • National Comedy Center • National Hockey League • Niagara Power Project • NYS Payroll Conference Association • Ortho Clinical Diagnostics • Peek ’n Peak Resort • Philips Healthcare • Praxair • Rich Products • Rochester Institute of Technology • Roswell Park Cancer Institute • Ryerson • Shea’s Performing Arts Center • Society of Professional Engineers • Strong National Museum of Play • Subway • Uniland Development • U.S. Department of Defense • University at Buffalo • Via Rail Canada • Volvo • Wellness Institute • Who Reads This Stuff??
*solo and team programs"Amazing. I can't say enough… The personnel in our office are not easy to thrill, but they can't stop talking about this. The quick wit, unexpected humor, positive motivation, real life stories... nothing short of extraordinary."
Lt. Col. Stephen Lance"Thank you for speaking at our conference in St. Petersburg. We thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on building net mirth, and the discussions and standing ovation proved it was very well received."
Anita Johnson"From the standing ovation, it’s clear that the evening entertainment was a sensation. And everyone rated the humor seminar as EXCELLENT. For many attendees, you were the highlight of the conference!"
Conference Committee"I’ve been a department head and attended the orientation sessions for 20+ years. Your presentation was EXCELLENT. It captivated everyone, young and old, and left an impression that will be remembered. Powerful!!!”
Geri Hart"Fantastic presentation! It was a really good experience for this group because they are very stressed… You had everybody up and involved… Marvelous!"
Robert Martinez"I laughed until I cried. Seriously. You put people at ease and shared some very valuable ideas and tools… We truly appreciated the perspective, enthusiasm, and unique knowledge shared with us."
Susan Kirk"I’ve never received such positive feedback on a seminar! It was fun and very inspiring. You know how to inspire employees to enjoy work and life."
Kathie Mann"Thank you again for presenting at our event last week. People are still talking about it, practicing their juggling, and saying that it was the best kick off ever!"
Laryn Bishop"Our retreat was designed to help employees deal with stress and change. Your presentation fit perfectly. The audience walked away with a smile and concrete examples of how to use humor effectively."
Mike Sullivan"Excellent! Our staff and volunteers were equipped with ideas and resources for improving the experience of patients and others. And they experienced first hand that laughter really is good medicine!"
Karen Synor