Eli Walker: Wellness Speaker. Emcee
Eli Walker is a speaker, performance artist, and social wellness entrepreneur who transforms events into powerful experiences of connection, belonging, and play.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Founder of Drunk Yoga® / The Uplift Center, redefining social wellness and community care
- Expert in experiential speaking, blending performance and psychology for deep engagement
- Sought-after event emcee and facilitator for conferences, galas, and wellness summits
- Creator of interactive programs promoting authentic connection and social well-being
- Formats: Keynote Speaker | Event Emcee | Workshop Facilitator | Performance Artist
- Audiences: Corporate teams, wellness organizations, HR leaders, community groups, and event planners seeking engaging, connection-driven experiences that combine mindfulness with play.
- Outcomes:
- Learn how play and vulnerability can build authentic community and psychological safety.
- Experience belonging theory in action through interactive participation.
- Leave inspired and equipped to create inclusive, energized, and connected environments.
- Travels from: New York, NY
- **Fee range: $10,000 - $15,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Interactive Keynotes That break down invisible barriers to connection
Building an effective workplace or community means intentionally setting up the conditions in which belonging can naturally arise. Often, what we want is to feel real and to see each other authentically.
Enter: Interactive Play and Provoking the Unexpected to reshape the way you gather.
The P.L.A.Y. Method: Scripts for rewriting your rule book.
After leading hundreds of Drunk Yoga® events for communities & organizations worldwide, I discovered how to use the very same performance devices that turn yoga into a party to help leaders break through 4th walls that prevent them from truly connecting with their people within gatherings.
Why do I call it the P.L.A.Y. method? Because the most effective way to break the 4th wall–invisible barriers to connection–and get your people on the same page is through the power of play.Hosting:
Hosting & Emceeing
From corporate conferences to galas, her hosting style demonstrates how to break down invisible barriers and foster genuine community, even in large groups. Attendees don’t just witness belonging theory—they experience it firsthand, leaving with both inspiration and practical proof that deeper connection is possible in any setting.
Talent Short Bio
Eli Walker is a globally recognized speaker, performance artist, and social wellness entrepreneur known for pioneering the wellness entertainment movement. As the founder of the internationally acclaimed brand Drunk Yoga®—now The Uplift Center—Eli has redefined what it means to merge mindfulness with joy, creating spaces where self-care meets community care.
Her work empowers organizations and individuals to break the rules that limit connection, using the power of play to foster belonging, authenticity, and resilience. With a background in performance and somatic wellness, Eli designs keynotes, workshops, and immersive social experiences that dissolve barriers, spark laughter, and remind people that inclusion begins with shared humanity.
As an event emcee, Eli goes beyond facilitation she transforms gatherings into live experiments in connection. Her approach weaves interactive storytelling, mindfulness, and humor into the fabric of each event, leaving audiences not only entertained but also profoundly connected. Whether she’s hosting a corporate retreat, wellness conference, or gala, Eli’s mission remains the same: to cultivate spaces of radical belonging where everyone feels seen and uplifted.
Read Full Bio
As the founder of the internationally-acclaimed wellness brand Drunk Yoga® (now The Uplift Center), Eli Walker pioneered the wellness entertainment movement to bridge the gap between #selfcare and #communitycare. Now, Eli helps organizations and individuals do the same: break the rules to get over themselves, engage community and spark radical belonging through the power of play.
When you work with Eli Walker to curate a keynote, workshop or interactive social wellness experience, you can expect to unlock a sense of belonging in the most unexpected, laughter-inducing ways you can imagine…(and even a few that you can’t)…leaving you empowered with tools to create a more uplifted and connected world.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn
Talent Videos
Eli Walker | 2023 Speaker Reel | Social Wellness, Play, and Radical Belonging
Watch Eli Walker, social wellness speaker, performance artist, and founder of The Uplift Center, in this 2023 reel showcasing her transformational approach to connection through play and presence.
Video Summary & Key Moments
This 2-minute, 40-second speaker reel captures Eli Walker’s signature ability to transform audiences through humor, play, and authentic connection. Blending her backgrounds in performance art and wellness innovation, Eli delivers a dynamic showcase of her work as a speaker, facilitator, and event emcee who helps organizations break barriers and spark belonging in bold, laughter-filled ways.
The reel opens with scenes of Eli engaging audiences at corporate and wellness events—energetic, interactive moments where participants are not just listening but living her message. She introduces her mission: to help people “get over themselves” and reconnect through mindful play. Clips from keynotes and workshops highlight her unique fusion of movement, storytelling, and spontaneous audience participation, creating an atmosphere of joy and vulnerability.
As the founder of Drunk Yoga®, now The Uplift Center, Eli pioneered the concept of “wellness entertainment,” merging mindfulness with social connection to make well-being more communal and accessible. In this reel, she models how playfulness can serve as a serious leadership tool, transforming teams and events into communities of trust and inclusion.
The video closes with Eli’s signature tone—energetic, grounded, and inspiring—leaving viewers with a clear sense of her message: that belonging is not something you talk about, it’s something you create together.
Key Moments
00:25 – Introducing the mission of The Uplift Center and social wellness
01:00 – Humor, storytelling, and audience connection in action
01:40 – Redefining leadership through play, empathy, and authenticity
02:15 – Event emcee highlights: fostering belonging through interaction
02:35 – Closing message: creating community through joy and self-expression
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Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
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