Speakers
UP Training & Development
with The UP Guys
For Wellness, Mental Health, Growth, & More
Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are The UP Guys – and not your typical corporate, educational, and motivational speakers.
They have uplifted and empowered 1,000,000+ people, winning rave reviews for both edu-tainment and entertainment.
Their "FUNdamentals" programs share foundations and mindsets for a bright future…
⇣"It’s like TED Talks meets America’s Got Talent!"
*for adults and close approximations
"FUNdamentals" with The UP Guys
The UP Guys share how FUN supports "da mental,” including wellness, mental health, and growth. Their interactive programs reinforce proven principles for individuals and teams, along with models such as Improvise » Adapt » Overcome » Win. It is evidence-based edu-tainment on core foundations and mindsets, described as "TED Talks meets America’s Got Talent!”
🎯 Mindsets – Positive, Present, Purposeful, Playful
🎯 Foundations – Values, Relationships, Purpose, Creative Outlets
...About The UP Guys
Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are The UP Guys, winning rave reviews for both edu-tainment and entertainment (theupguys.com). They have uplifted and empowered 1,000,000+ people – Nels as a comedian, juggler, and educator; Richie as a singer, impersonator, and "The Mental Health NUT"; and both as speakers, as well as founders of UP Team LLC and the nonprofit UPLFFT.
...More About "FUNdamentals"
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.
Presentations can be tailored to corporate, educational, or motivational objectives.
Ask about a focus on:
Wellness • Mental Health • Growth • Fun • Managing Stress & Change • Team Building • Teamwork • Unity in Diversity • Creativity • Leadership
The UP Guys complement "normal" corporate, educational, and motivational speakers to kick off, close, or energize events.
See Fun Facts, References, and Reviews below.
"nothing short of extraordinary"
U.S. Air Force"standing ovation"
National Center for Education Research & Technology"highlight of the conference!"
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers"powerful!!!"
Holiday Valley Resorts⋯ Fun Facts ⋯
About The UP Guys
As "edutainers," they make teamwork and professional development fun.
As appropriate, they even address serious issues with humor and play.
They value Rotary "gffts" of goodwill, friendship, fairness, truth, and service.
Nels Ross, MEd PHD VA GF
Nels has a Masters in Education plus "degrees" in Personal 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 Derwald, The Mental Health NUT
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.
⋯ References ⋯
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 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⋯ Reviews ⋯
"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 LanceUnited States Air Force
…
"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 JohnsonNational Center for Education Research & Technology
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"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 CommitteeMichigan Society of Professional Engineers
…
"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 HartHoliday Valley Resorts
…
"Fantastic presentation! It was a really good experience for this group because they are very stressed… You had everybody up and involved… Marvelous!"
Robert MartinezAssociation of California School Administrators
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"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 KirkSofTrek Corporation
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"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 MannCognigen Corporation
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"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 BishopSolano County Office of Education, Fairfield, CA
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"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 SullivanChautauqua Institution
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"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 SynorRoswell Park Cancer Institute
…*solo and team programs