As featured in
TEDx ● Forbes ● Barnes & Noble ● Speak With No Fear (Bestseller) ● Wiley

Uplevel Austin:
The Speaking & Storytelling Lab

Get ready to level up your speaking game with hands-on exercises and storytelling techniques at Uplevel Austin's Lab.

Uplevel Tour:
The Speaking and Storytelling Lab is a high-energy, hands-on communication experience for professionals who want more confidence, influence, and career opportunity.

This practical and interactive training will help you learn and apply the core skills that make speakers effective and leaders compelling.

You will experience live coaching, real on-stage transformations, and simple frameworks that help you speak clearly, confidently, and with presence. You will participate in speaking drills, storytelling exercises, and clarity techniques you can use immediately in meetings, presentations, and leadership conversations.

Speak With Confidence.

Lead With Clarity.

The Uplevel Tour

This isn’t Toastmasters. And it’s not a lecture.


It’s an interactive communication lab designed for real transformation in the room.

At Uplevel Austin, you’ll learn practical tools for confident speaking, clearer structure,

stronger presence, and powerful storytelling. Built on proven communication frameworks and live coaching,

this Lab combines teaching, on-your-feet practice, and real-time breakthroughs.

Live demonstrations

Audience participation

Skill-focused teaching

At Uplevel Austin, Mike will guide you through practical communication frameworks

and hands-on coaching to help you speak with more confidence and tell stories that connect.

Meet Your Guide: Mike Acker

Mike is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and executive communication coach trusted by thousands of professionals. He’s worked with leaders from startups to Fortune 500s — and his coaching is built on what works in the real world, not outdated theory.

A former executive director and fortune 500 sales manager, Mike knows how to bring out the voice already inside you.

By the Lab, You will walk away with:

  • A stronger and clearer speaking voice

  • Tools that strengthen your presence in any room

  • Practical storytelling techniques you can use immediately

  • Understanding on how to communicate with executive presence

Who is the Lab for?

  • Professionals who want to communicate with more confidence

  • Leaders who want stronger executive presence

  • Individuals who speak in meetings, interviews, or presentations

  • Entrepreneurs who want to tell better stories

  • Anyone looking to grow their career through better communication

Testimonials

Client Success Stories

With Mike’s guidance, I learned how to structure my speeches, use my voice effectively, and handle my nerves. Thanks to him, I now feel confident and prepared when speaking in front of others

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Marylia N

"Mike helped me a lot with both sales and the way I should speak."

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Amir Saleh

"Mike’s coaching didn’t just help me improve my delivery, he helped me believe in myself. Now I approach speaking opportunities with excitement instead of fear."

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Erika G.

"In just a few sessions, I've grown immensely in my speaking skill and learned strategies to sustain my progress."

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Andrew B.

"My colleagues told me there is a marked improvement in how I articulate and vary my tone—I am blown away! I used to shy away from speaking, now I enjoy it."

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Layteng A.

Testimonial Slider
★★★★★
“A unique coaching experience that gets to the root cause of the issues that prevent you from attaining your goals.”
Bella Ruhit
Bella Ruhit
MS / MBA, IMBS™
★★★★★
“Mike converts his broad world view, deep understanding of humanity, and the ability to cut a path through unknown and ambiguous areas...”
Matthias A. Ohler
Matthias A. Ohler
TEDx Speaker, Architect, Studio Design Lead
★★★★★
“Mike is an excellent coach. He’s helped me to conquer imposter syndrome and to gain the confidence I need to become a better communicator and leader.”
Aimee Bruneau
Aimee Bruneau
Communication Coach
★★★★★
“Mike's the real deal when it comes to owning your message on video or stage.”
Tanna Walters
Tanna Walters
Creative Director
★★★★★
“The clarity I now have in approaching and successfully completing projects and presentations in public forums has made all the difference in my ability to accomplish my goals.”
Prentice Dupins
Prentice Dupins
Executive Director

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Uplevel Austin?

A practical, hands-on speaking and storytelling workshop designed to help you improve quickly through teaching, practice, and live coaching.

Do I have to speak in front of the room?

You’ll have opportunities to participate, but nothing is forced. You will grow at your own pace.

Do I need to bring anything?

Just a notebook, your phone (for recording your progress), and an open mindset. Everything else is provided.

Is this only for people who give formal presentations?

No. This is for anyone who speaks in meetings, leads people, interviews, presents ideas, or wants to grow their career through communication.

Will this help with nerves?

Yes. You’ll learn practical tools for managing pressure and speaking with more calm and confidence.