Speaking & Workshops
Meet Kelly
Kelly Hurd, M.Ed., is an educator, certified life coach, certified health coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and founder of Uplevel Life Coaching.
After navigating significant stress and burnout in her own life, Kelly became passionate about studying happiness, resilience, nervous system regulation, and behavior change. Today, she helps schools and organizations create healthier, happier, and more resilient communities through practical, evidence-based tools that people can put to use right away.
Popular Topics
The Calm Brain Advantage
Rewiring the Brain for Joy & Resilience
More Joy, Less Stress
Preventing Burnout Before It Starts
Building Resilience in Challenging Times
Nervous System Regulation for Everyday Life
Available for keynotes, conferences, professional development days, staff wellness initiatives, and organizational trainings.
Practical, Science-Backed Tools for More Joy, Less Stress
Today's world asks a lot of us. Stress, burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm are affecting educators, leaders, employees, students, and families alike.
My presentations help people understand what's happening in their brain and body under stress—and, more importantly, what they can do about it.
Using neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, positive psychology, Positive Intelligence (PQ), mindfulness, somatic practices, and trauma-informed approaches, I teach practical tools that help people feel calmer, think more clearly, build resilience, and improve their overall well-being.
My style is warm, engaging, and highly practical. Through storytelling, real-life examples, and interactive learning, participants leave with tools they can use immediately.
What Participants Learn
Participants learn how to:
Calm the nervous system and reduce stress
Understand why they react the way they do under pressure
Build resilience and prevent burnout
Improve emotional regulation and mental fitness
Increase confidence, optimism, and well-being
Create healthy habits that support long-term success
The result? People feel calmer, more resilient, more focused, and better equipped to handle life's challenges.
For Schools
As a former educator with more than 25 years of experience teaching grades K–8 and serving as a Reading Specialist, I understand the realities of today's classrooms.
My workshops help educators:
Reduce stress and burnout
Improve emotional regulation
Create calmer, more connected classrooms
Increase resilience and well-being
Support positive school culture
When adults feel supported and regulated, students thrive.
For Businesses & Organizations
High performers are often taught how to work hard—but not how to manage stress, prevent burnout, and sustain success.
My presentations help teams:
Manage stress more effectively
Improve focus and decision-making
Increase resilience during change
Strengthen communication and relationships
Reduce burnout and improve well-being
When people learn how to regulate their nervous system, they become more adaptable, productive, and effective—both at work and at home.
My Approach
What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.
Simple ideas
Through every step, we've focused on staying true to our values and making space for thoughtful, lasting work.
Lasting impact
We build with clarity, act with integrity, and always stay curious.