Nels Ross and Richie Derwald are The UP Guys – speakers and entertainers who have uplifted and empowered one million+ people with #1 fun and #2 programs lauded as "TED Talks meets America’s Got Talent!”
Nels is a clean comedian, juggler, and educator. Richie is a singer, impersonator, and "The Mental Health NUT." They promote wellness, team building, leadership, and more through inspirational keynotes, professional development, school programs, and staff training. As edutainers, emcees, and event hosts, they have won rave reviews from the National Comedy Center and hundreds of corporate, educational, government, healthcare, motivational, and other events.
And they say, “We’re jest getting started.”
Contrary to popular opinion, Nels and Richie are more than just idiots.
Nels has a MEd. Both have "PHD's" in Personal Humor Development.
They value Rotary “gffts” of goodwill, friendship, fairness, truth, service…
Nels goes by his first and middle names. It's easier for him to remember.
Richie was a pro wrestler and producer of a national TV show. Really.
They've worked across the U.S., Canada, the world… And other places.
As seen at events with Margaret Cho, Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Gaffigan, Gabriel Iglesias, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, David Spade, and Taylor Tomlinson.