You don’t need more to thrive.
You need to know what to let go of.
I’m Shawn Ellis—keynote speaker, author, and creator of the Choose Your Ending™ framework—and I help leaders and teams stop clinging to what’s no longer working, so they can rise into what’s next with Radical Adaptability.
For over 20 years, I’ve worked with organizations like CMT, Bridgestone, Freddie Mac, the Cayman Islands Civil Service College, and others. I’ve led keynotes at global events like Toastmasters International’s 100th Annual Convention. And behind it all, I’ve navigated my own journey of holding on, letting go, and choosing brave endings to create a life—and a message—worth sharing.
From Holding On to Helping Others Let Go
If I’m honest, I’ve spent a lot of my life holding on.
To business models that were past their prime.
To relationships that had quietly expired.
To control, perfectionism, and even a few shirts that went out of style in the early 2000s.
It wasn’t until I lost nearly everything—financially, professionally, and personally—that I discovered what real growth requires:
An ending.
Letting go isn’t failure. It’s leadership. It’s freedom.
And it’s the first step toward the life, business, and impact you were truly made for.
Today, I Speak and Teach on…
Radical Adaptability
Helping leaders and teams cultivate clarity, courage, and confidence in the face of constant change—through my signature 5 C’s framework.
Intentional Endings
How to recognize what’s no longer serving you—and make the brave decisions that create momentum and meaning.
Mastering the Moments
From my bestselling book: How to live fully in the in-between space of life’s transitions, and turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.
Why It Resonates
This message isn’t just theory—it’s lived.
As the parent of a neurodivergent child, I’m reminded every day of the power of surrender. Of releasing expectations. Of trading pressure for presence. These experiences shape the empathy and honesty I bring to every stage and every client.
My teachings blend:
- Science (neuroscience, psychology, stress physiology)
- Soul (mindfulness, coaching, human connection)
- Story (real-life moments that audiences remember and retell)
Professional Highlights
- Delivered keynotes to audiences from 50 to 5,000+
- Named one of the “Top Keynote Speakers to Help You Navigate Change” by Gotham Artists
- Author of Mastering the Moments: A Journey of Endings, Beginnings, and the Space in Between
- 20+ years of entrepreneurial and advisory experience
- Advanced training in Neuroscience for Business (MIT Sloan), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Vanderbilt), Self-Regulation for Stress/Anxiety (HeartMath Institute), Strategic Intervention Coaching (Robbins-Madanes Training)
Guiding Beliefs
- Endings Create Beginnings: Change only sticks when we release what’s no longer aligned.
- This Moment Matters: Your future is created not in massive shifts, but in the micro-decisions you make right now.
- Connection Over Perfection: The real work of leadership is relational, not just operational.
- Presence Is Power: Clarity and confidence emerge when we slow down enough to listen within.
Shawn is the consummate storyteller philosopher. He brings his life lessons together in a way that makes them so relatable to his audience. While he entertains, you learn from his experiences. 90 minutes went by like 10. I could have spent the whole day listening to him.