Shawn Ellis is a motivational keynote speaker, bestselling author, and expert in resilience and adaptability. With over 20 years of experience helping leaders and teams navigate change, he empowers organizations to let go of what’s holding them back so they can break free, adapt, and thrive. His bestselling book, Mastering the Moments: A Journey of Endings, Beginnings, and the Space In Between, provides a powerful roadmap for turning life’s transitions into opportunities for growth. Shawn’s engaging keynotes—including Mastering the Moments and Adapt & Thrive—blend neuroscience, mindfulness, and psychology with humor and storytelling to inspire lasting transformation. His insights have impacted organizations like CMT, Bridgestone, and Freddie Mac, and he has been recognized as a top speaker on navigating change.
Quick Reference Card
Attitude, Business, Change, Innovation, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Motivation, Resilience, Sales, Stress Management
Domestic Keynote Fee Range*:
$10,000-14,999, $15,000-24,999
Ohio, US
Perfect for:
Associations, Closing Sessions, Corporations, Entrepreneurs, Management, Opening Sessions, Sales, Senior Executives
• Learn how to let go of what’s no longer serving them and step into the next chapter with clarity and courage
• Shift from fearing change to using it as a launchpad for personal and professional growth
• Cultivate the mental and emotional strength to navigate uncertainty, adversity, and disruption with confidence
• Identify and release outdated stories and fears that hold them back from achieving their full potential
• Leverage the power of community and relationships to sustain resilience and success
*Speaker fees vary based on event location, program duration and other factors, and are subject to change without notice. Please contact us for an accurate fee quote for your event.
Shawn Ellis is a renowned keynote speaker, bestselling author, and trusted expert in resilience and adaptability. With over two decades of experience helping organizations navigate disruption, Shawn’s mission is to equip leaders and teams with the mindset and tools to let go of what’s holding them back—so they can break free, adapt, and thrive.
Shawn’s journey has been shaped by change. Once a musician on the brink of a Nashville recording career, he pivoted to the business world and ultimately found his calling on a different stage—as a speaker, guiding organizations through the very challenges he once faced himself. His work is rooted in the belief that every breakthrough begins with an ending—and that success comes not from clinging to outdated strategies, toxic habits, or limiting beliefs, but from having the clarity and courage to release them.
His Amazon bestselling book, Mastering the Moments: A Journey of Endings, Beginnings, and the Space in Between, expands on this philosophy, offering practical wisdom for embracing life’s transitions as opportunities for growth. Whether in the workplace or in life, Shawn helps audiences master the space between where they are and where they want to be—one moment at a time.
Through keynotes like Mastering the Moments, Beyond Resilience, and Adapt & Thrive, Shawn delivers high-energy, story-driven presentations that blend mindfulness, neuroscience, and psychology with humor and actionable strategies. His signature 5 C’s to Adapt & Thrive framework provides a roadmap for navigating uncertainty with calm, clarity, courage, confidence, and connection—empowering teams to move forward with intention and impact.
Shawn’s insights have been embraced by organizations such as CMT, Bridgestone, Freddie Mac, Dippin’ Dots, and the Cayman Islands Civil Service College. His relatable, down-to-earth approach makes him a sought-after speaker for business executives, healthcare professionals, educators, and leadership teams seeking real, lasting change.
When he’s not on stage or coaching leaders, Shawn is embracing his own lessons on adaptability—as a husband, entrepreneur, and father to a neurodivergent child. His personal experiences shape the way he connects with audiences, bringing both empathy and expertise to his work.
For those ready to let go of what’s holding them back and step into the next chapter with confidence, Shawn Ellis delivers the mindset shift and momentum needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Adapt & Thrive: 5 C's to Unlock the Power of Intentional Endings
How Letting Go Creates the Breakthroughs You’ve Been Waiting For
We’re wired to resist change—clinging to familiar strategies, outdated systems, or even limiting beliefs long after they’ve stopped serving us. But in today’s fast-moving world, the ability to let go is the key to resilience, growth, and success.
In Adapt & Thrive, Shawn Ellis challenges the conventional approach to navigating change. Instead of focusing on mere survival, he empowers audiences to intentionally release what’s holding them back—so they can break free, adapt, and thrive.
Rooted in Shawn’s Mastering the Moments philosophy and his 5 C’s to Adapt & Thrive framework, this engaging and actionable keynote blends mindfulness, neuroscience, and psychology with humor and storytelling to help individuals and organizations unlock their next chapter.
In this session, your attendees will discover how to:
✅ Master Calmness in Chaos – Shift from reactive to intentional by developing the mental and emotional resilience to handle uncertainty with confidence.
✅ Clarify What’s Next – Identify what’s truly important and release distractions, inefficiencies, and outdated goals that no longer align.
✅ Build the Courage to Let Go – Navigate endings with strength, embracing change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
✅ Leverage Past Successes for Confidence – Recognize the proof in your own history that you have what it takes to move forward, even when the path is unclear.
✅ Strengthen Connection for Sustainable Growth – Harness the power of relationships and community to support transformation and success.
This isn’t just about managing change—it’s about owning it. Whether facing organizational shifts, leadership transitions, or personal reinvention, attendees will leave with the mindset, tools, and confidence to end what’s no longer serving them and step boldly into what’s next.
Ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity? It starts with what you’re willing to let go.
Beyond Resilience: Four Steps to Come Back Better Than EVER
For leaders and high-performing professionals who have pushed themselves to the limit and achieved remarkable success, burnout can often be an unwelcome side effect. “Beyond Resilience: Four Steps to Come Back Better Than EVER” is a game-changing presentation designed to help individuals and organizations shift from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Drawing on his personal journey of rising above survival mode and learning to flourish, this powerful keynote introduces attendees to Shawn’s Reboot Roadmap—a clear path from where they are to where they want to be. This transformative framework helps participants reconnect with their passion and purpose, step outside their comfort zones, and embrace new behaviors that bring their visions to life.
Throughout the presentation, attendees will learn to overcome limiting beliefs, create a faith file to inspire confidence in the face of adversity, and harness the power of being present in the moment. By uncovering the four steps present in every great turnaround story, “Beyond Resilience” empowers individuals and organizations to build a more engaged and inspired workforce, even amidst constant uncertainty and disruption.
“Beyond Resilience: Four Steps to Come Back Better Than EVER” will equip your team with the tools and strategies needed to rise above challenges and embrace a future where they not only survive but thrive with passion and purpose.
Mastering the Moments: Finding Focus and Flow in a Busy World
In today’s fast-paced and increasingly complex world, leaders, salespeople, service professionals, and employees across all industries face mounting pressure and distractions. “Mastering the Moments: Finding Focus and Flow in a Busy World” is the perfect antidote to help individuals and organizations rise above the noise and find clarity, focus, and higher performance.
Drawing on valuable lessons from mindfulness and neuroscience, this engaging keynote presentation empowers attendees to slow down, be present, and fully engage in the task at hand. A renowned resilience speaker for leaders, Shawn reveals the three essential tools of creation that can transform any moment into an opportunity for increased peace, happiness, and productivity.
With countless distractions vying for our attention, it’s more crucial than ever for leaders, teams, and organizations to prioritize mental well-being and focus. “Mastering the Moments” delivers actionable insights and strategies to help attendees cultivate a more mindful, resilient approach to work and life.
By embracing the power of the present moment, individuals can unlock their full potential and drive meaningful results in their personal and professional lives.
Leading with Heart: Harnessing the Power of Heart-Brain Science for Enhanced Leadership Performance
In the presentation “Leading with Heart,” heart-centered leaders will discover the transformative power of tapping into the intelligence of the heart. Drawing from cutting-edge research in heart-brain science, this presentation demonstrates how fostering a deep connection with the heart can lead to increased peace, purpose, intuition, and overall enhanced performance for leaders and their teams. Attendees will learn practical techniques for cultivating heart-centered leadership, enhancing emotional intelligence, and creating an environment that fosters collaboration, well-being, and sustainable success. By embracing the wisdom of the heart, leaders can unlock the full potential of their organizations and create lasting, positive impact.
“You were a HUGE hit and people are still talking about the 4 changes we need to focus on. The 1% improvement really resonated, and people have identified what their individual 1% means to them. You made a difference, sent the right message at the right time and we are grateful you participated in our meeting.” — Ferguson Enterprises
“I love how his presentation really feels like a journey from start to finish. He's got great content, humor, and experiential elements ranging from meditation to dancing - which really adds a spark to virtual sessions! I think Shawn's message combined with his authenticity and his delivery is just what audiences need right now. It's not a ‘fluffy’ energy, but something you can come back to throughout the year.” — Freddie Mac
“The event was excellent and your keynote hit the mark for setting the framework for the day! I was impressed by your attention to knowing who the audience was and keying on what the day was about.” — SchoolCare
“Your presentation was amazing and we are receiving great feedback from it. Thank you again for your inspiration, and your honesty with sharing about your personal life. It really touched everyone.” — Corporate Synergies
