Walk into your next big meeting ready.
Speaking Catalyst is ongoing communication coaching for professionals. You get a personal coach twice a month, live group practice three times a week, and check-ins between sessions, so you keep getting better between the moments that matter.
Microsoft
GE Vernova
You already know how to do your job. The hard part is getting people to see it when you speak.
Maybe you over-prepare and still feel shaky when the meeting starts. Maybe the explanation is clear in your head and gets lost when you say it out loud. Maybe someone told you your presence doesn't match your results.
A one-time workshop helps for a week. Then the old habits come back, because nothing keeps you practicing.
You get coached every two weeks with time to practice in between.
Everything in your membership
Awareness Assessment
In your first week, you meet with your coach for an hour. You record a short baseline, go through your SpeakerBrand Profile, and leave with a plan for what to work on first.
1:1 coaching twice a month
Thirty minutes with your coach. Bring the real presentation, meeting, or conversation that's coming up.
Live group practice three times a week
Practice Labs run Mondays at 8:30 a.m., Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m., and Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Central. Mike leads every Lab. Join any of them, speak in front of other professionals, and get feedback on the spot.
Check-ins between sessions
Your coach texts you on a set schedule, so you stay on track when work gets busy.
A 90-day progress recording
You record again at 90 days and compare it to your baseline, so you can see how far you've come.
Before a high-stakes presentation, send your outline or a practice recording and get feedback before you walk in.
You can be practicing this week.
- Step 1
Join
Choose monthly or yearly. Checkout takes about two minutes.
- Step 2
Book your Awareness Assessment
Right after checkout, you pick a time on the calendar.
- Step 3
Start practicing
Join your first Practice Lab that week and meet your coach for your first 1:1.
Speak, get feedback, and run it again.
Mike leads every Practice Lab. Each one runs 30 minutes, and everyone gets time to speak.
- 3 minWarm-up
A quick round of 30-second answers to a surprise question, so everyone is talking in the first few minutes.
- 5 minSkill of the week
Mike teaches one skill from the Speak With Confidence framework, like opening strong or answering a tough question.
- 20 minReps
Each member gives a 90-second talk on something real from work, such as an update, a pitch, or a hard conversation. You hear one thing that worked and one thing to change, and then you run it again with the fix.
- 2 minClose
Everyone names one thing they'll use before the next session.
You'll practice with managers, directors, and other professionals who are working on the same thing you are.
MikeAn illustration of a Practice Lab. Members join live on video.
Built for professionals in one of two spots.
You were just promoted and now you present to executives.
You prepare more than anyone in the room and still feel judged harder. You don't need to become someone else. You need regular reps and a coach who helps you speak like the leader you already are.
No one doubts your results.
Your work speaks for itself, but your presentations don't carry the same weight. You need a place to practice and a coach who helps your voice carry your value.
What our coaching clients say
I used what he coached me on after only one call and felt much more confident the following week with a large customer presentation.
He gave me the tools and confidence I needed to feel truly prepared.
Just a couple months ago I couldn't fathom getting up on stage to speak, but Mike's strategies have profoundly helped me become a better me.
He very quickly noticed the flaws in how I present and provided very valuable corrective actions.
I've just started working with Mike and I see the difference already. If you're willing to put the work, Mike is your guy.
Mike came through by responding and successfully intervening in my last-minute, last-ditch effort.
He created a supportive and engaging environment and provided clear, practical strategies to improve my communication skills.
Mike accepted to work with me on very short notice, less than a week before my TEDx talk. His advice on both content and delivery was very useful.
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.
Coaching built on two books and 25 years of practice.
Catalyst runs on the method from Speak With No Fear and Speak With Confidence. Mike Acker wrote them after overcoming a childhood speech impediment, and they have sold more than 100,000 copies.
Mike and the Uplevel team have coached hundreds of professionals, including leaders at Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, and GE Vernova. Catalyst gives you that same coaching on a schedule that fits your month.
Coached by people who speak for a living.
Our coaches are speakers, business leaders, and former college debaters, and every one of them has been trained by Mike Acker. Being certified means they coach with the same Speak With Confidence framework Mike uses, so you get the same method whoever you work with.
Mike Acker
Author of Speak With No Fear and Speak With Confidence. Mike leads every weekly Practice Lab himself.
Andres Soto
Andres has acted in The Flash and Riverdale, and he teaches at Vancouver Film School.
Coach switch promise. We'll pair you with a coach you'll love. If your coach isn't the right fit, tell us and we'll switch you.
Simple pricing with no sign-up cost
$250 a month with no sign-up cost. Your Awareness Assessment is included, and you can cancel anytime.
$2,700 for twelve months, which works out to $225 a month and saves you $300.
Try it for 30 days.
If Catalyst isn't right for you, email us within 30 days of joining and we'll refund your payment in full.
Common questions
How much time does it take?
Two 30-minute coaching sessions a month, plus weekly group sessions whenever you can make them. Plan on about an hour a week.
Is it online?
Yes. Every session is live online, so you can join from anywhere. If you're in Austin, you're also welcome at Uplevel Nights at our West Lake Hills training center.
Who will coach me?
Mike Acker, Andres Soto and other certified coaches. We will pair you with someone that you will love. If your coach isn't the right fit, tell us and we'll switch you. Mike leads the Practice Labs himself.
What if I have a big presentation coming up?
Bring it to your next 1:1 or group session. Once a quarter you can also use Big Moment Prep to get feedback on it before you walk in.
Can I cancel?
Yes, anytime. Email us and you won't be charged for the next month.
How is this different from the Speaking Academy?
The Academy is a structured 90-day program with a full curriculum and more 1:1 time. Catalyst is ongoing coaching at a lower monthly price. If you move up to the Academy in your first 90 days, everything you paid for Catalyst counts toward it.
Do I need to talk to someone before I join?
No. You can join right here. If you'd rather talk first, you can book a free call.
Your next big moment is already on the calendar.
Join today, book your Awareness Assessment, and start practicing this week.