Anthony Alvarado | Transformational Speaker & Master Storyteller on Mental Health, Resilience & Leadership

Helping People Untangle the Mess, Build Resilience & Lead with Purpose

Some speakers educate. Some speakers motivate. Anthony Alvarado does something different—he moves people.

With the power of storytelling, Anthony doesn’t just share ideas—he takes audiences on a journey. A journey through struggle, resilience, and the messy, beautiful process of transformation. He connects deeply, authentically, and powerfully, making every keynote an experience that stays with people long after they leave the room.

As the founder of RISE TOGETHER, Anthony has shared stories that have changed over 300,000 lives, helping individuals and organizations break through barriers, redefine resilience, and take control of their mental well-being. His work has been recognized by Forbes and the White House ONDCP, and he’s been invited to speak on some of the biggest stages in corporate leadership, mental health advocacy, and education.

Anthony’s storytelling isn’t just relatable—it’s real, raw, and transformative. He takes the tough topics—the ones people don’t always talk about—and makes them human, personal, and impossible to ignore.

Why Book Anthony?

✔ A Master Storyteller Who Connects Like No One Else – People don’t just listen—they feel, reflect, and take action.
✔ Engaging, Interactive, & Energizing – A speaker who commands the room and keeps audiences fully locked in.
✔ Impact That Lasts – His stories don’t just inspire; they spark real change in leadership, mental health, and resilience.
✔ Lived Experience + Proven Expertise – Not just research and statistics—real-world lessons that matter.

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Keynote speaker

Step right up and listen to the captivating stories of Anthony Alvarado, a certified coach, and leader who has inspired and educated over 275,000 young people. His unique ability to connect with audiences has made him a leading mental health and recovery advocate, with recognition from the White House ONDCP and Forbes as a movement maker.

From public schools to conferences and rallies, Anthony's professional storytelling has left audiences educated, engaged, and empowered to take action. His message of hope and resilience is delivered with passion and authenticity, making him one of the best motivational speakers in this arena.

Anthony's impact is felt far and wide, with an Official Proclamation from the Mayor of Appleton recognizing "Rise Together Day" in honor of his team's dedication to the community. Anthony speaks on various topics when he's not inspiring crowds, including emotional baggage, healthy habits, and breaking the silence around mental health and addiction recovery.

So, if you're looking for more than just a typical motivational speaker, Anthony Alvarado is your guy. With his outstanding service to others and empowering storytelling, he'll leave you ready to take on the world.

Keynote topics

Anthony is empathetic and I believe a safe person to talk to about anything, sees the good in people, and believes there is goodness in all others.

I see Anthony as a leader in every room he enters and is at his best when he is modeling true vulnerability. He knows how to love others unconditionally, is changing the world, and an expert in pain and fear.

Greatness, true greatness! I see humility. I see someone who says "I can & we can". Anthony is confidently vulnerable, someone that makes me feel safe and secure in my own skin. A man of openness and acceptance

Framing Resilience: Keynote & Gallery Experience

Inspire. Connect. Transform.

Step into an immersive experience that combines the art of storytelling with the evocative power of photography. Led by Anthony Alvarado—renowned speaker, photographer, and advocate—this keynote workshop empowers individuals and organizations to use visual storytelling as a tool for resilience, connection, and meaningful change.

What You Get

Inspiring Keynote: A powerful talk by Anthony Alvarado, featuring personal stories and visuals from his acclaimed work, and photgraphy.
Optional Gallery Experience: A curated photography exhibit that deepens the workshop's themes by showcasing stories of advocacy, resilience, and transformation.
Interactive Workshop: Hands-on exercises to craft and share impactful personal or organizational stories, guided by Anthony’s proven techniques.
Actionable Takeaways: Tools and strategies to integrate storytelling and photography into your personal or professional life.

Why Choose This Workshop?

Whether with or without the gallery, this experience is tailored to inspire growth, foster connection, and equip participants with creative tools for advocacy, education, and professional development.

From Burnout To Balance: How To Protect Your Mental Health In A Fast-paced World

Life moves fast, and the pressure to keep up is real. Whether you're balancing work, school, or everyday responsibilities, stress is a constant. But burnout doesn’t happen overnight—it builds up. And if you don’t learn how to manage it, it can take over.

This workshop isn’t about quick fixes or vague self-care advice. It’s about understanding how stress works, what actually helps, and how to create habits that protect your mental health for the long haul.

What You’ll Learn:

Recognizing Burnout Before It Hits – Understand the science behind stress, emotional exhaustion, and the early warning signs so you can take action before it’s too late.
Practical Self-Care That Fits Your Life – Learn research-backed strategies that don’t require extra time or money, including habit stacking, nervous system regulation, and mental reset techniques.
The Role of Emotional Resilience – Stress is inevitable, but suffering isn’t. Discover how resilient people think, act, and recover faster—and how you can too.
The Power of Community & Connection – Studies show that strong relationships are the #1 predictor of long-term well-being. Learn how to build a support network that actually helps.
Your Personal Mental Health Action Plan – Walk away with clear, realistic steps to prevent burnout, set boundaries, and take control of your mental health every day.

This isn’t just another talk about burnout. It’s a real conversation about what works—no fluff, no gimmicks, just strategies you can actually use.

Breaking the Cycle: Healing, Recovery & Resilience

Addiction doesn’t just affect one person—it ripples through families, friendships, and entire communities. I know this firsthand. I’ve lived it. I’ve lost people I love to it. And I’ve seen, time and time again, that recovery isn’t just about quitting—it’s about rebuilding your life from the inside out.

This isn’t a lecture. It’s a real, raw, and interactive conversation about what it actually takes to break the cycle of addiction, navigate mental health struggles, and come out stronger on the other side. Whether you’re in recovery yourself, working in the AODA field, or supporting someone through their journey, we’ll unpack the messy, complicated, and powerful process of healing and resilience.

What We’ll Cover:

Why Addiction Isn’t Just About Substances – We’ll dig into the connection between stress, trauma, and substance use, and why people don’t just “choose” addiction.
Managing Triggers & Stress in Real Life – You can’t just tell someone to “stay strong” and expect it to work. I’ll share real strategies for dealing with stress, grief, and triggers in the moment.
The Power of Peer Support & Healthy Boundaries – Recovery isn’t meant to be done alone. We’ll talk about how to build a solid support system—without letting toxic relationships pull you back.
Finding Purpose After the Struggle – When you’ve lost years to addiction, it’s easy to feel stuck. We’ll talk about how to rebuild your life with meaning, share your story, and use your experience to help others.

Who This Is For:

AODA Professionals & Students – If you’re in the field, this will give you real-world insights into what people in recovery actually need.
Individuals in Recovery – Whether you’re new to this or years in, you’ll get practical tools for staying strong through the ups and downs.
Family & Friends of Those Struggling – Understanding addiction is the first step to truly showing up for your loved ones.
Anyone Ready to Break the Cycle – Whether it’s addiction, trauma, or generational cycles, this is about healing, rebuilding, and taking back control.

I’ve lost people to this. I’ve fought my way through it. And I’ve helped thousands do the same. If you’re ready for an honest, no-BS conversation about what it really takes to heal, recover, and move forward, let’s get to work.

Some recent speaking engagements

Lawrence University - Lacrosse team 2024
Keynote at Santa Rosa Junior College 2024

Keynote at 9th Annual Penn State Addiction Symposium 2023
Key presenter at the Annual ASAM Conference 3 years running w/Penn State College of Medicine.
Key presenter at 34th Annual National Prevention Conference
Keynote @ The Now is the Time Conference 2018 @ UW Whitewater

Keynote @ Mind, Heart, and Teaching Symposium @ UW Oshkosh

University of Houston: ARHE's 9th Annual Collegiate Recovery Conference
Marian University
UWGB
SAMHSA's New England ATTCs Adolescent Conference: Effective Approaches to Engaging & Treating Teens
SAMHSA’s “Road to Recovery” expert panel in Washington DC
The National NAADAC Conference

NEIAS of Addiction Studies State Conference “2016 New England School of Best Practices in Addiction Treatment”
Young People in Recovery National Leadership Conference
Wisconsin's and the Las Vegas Statewide Recovery Rally
UW Marshfield Mental Health State Conference
Northwoods Coalition Statewide Mental Health Conference
WI State Mental Health Conference
WI Statewide School Resource Officers Conference
Statewide Children Juvenile Justice Conference
Wisconsin Family Based Services Association Conference
Nurses Association WI State Conference
United Way Teen Symposium
Pre-Action Network Prevention Conference
Human Service Association Statewide Conference