Stand up.
Stay up.
The world's fastest-growing personal growth company. Two million people a year learn to rise above what holds them back, guided by a founder who has never once sat down.
The UPWARD Method
Four habits. One life.
Stand tall. Every UPWARD session happens on your feet. Sitting is a decision, and most people make it too early.
Take what is in front of you. Opportunity rarely comes back.
Move toward it. When something frightens you, move. Direction comes later.
Say less. Wendell has given 340 keynotes without using a single word.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Wendell Marsh
Wendell Marsh founded UPWARD in 2014 in a converted barn outside Lexington. Within six years it was the fastest-growing personal development company in the world.
Wendell is known for his quiet presence, his remarkable stamina, and his belief that leaders should never sit down in front of the people they lead. He has not been seen sitting since the company was founded.
He leads from the front. He also leads from the side, provided no one stands directly behind him. Staff are reminded of this during onboarding.
Wendell is 11 years old, which he credits to good habits, fresh air and a strict diet. He lives on a private estate with forty acres of open land, which he describes as his “thinking space.”
He is the author of the bestselling book Stand Up. Stay Up. and the most-viewed keynote in Summit history.
In his own words
“…”
Wendell Marsh, asked about his leadership style, 2024STAY UP.
61 weeks on the bestseller list
The book that got two million people off the couch.
Twelve chapters. Each one is a single sentence. Most readers finish in four minutes and say it changed their lives.
Hardcover, 212 pages. Pages 13 to 212 are left blank so you can write your own rise.
Contents
The full book, in order
- Stand up.
- Stay up.
- Do not lie down in front of people.
- If something startles you, leave the room at speed.
- Eat what is in front of you.
- Then eat what is next to it.
- Nobody needs to stand directly behind you.
- Fresh air is a strategy.
- A good leader can be led to water.
- What they choose to do there is their business.
- Stand up again.
- See chapter 1.
“Shorter than a menu and more important than most marriages.”
The Meridian Business Review“I read it once on a flight and did not sit down for the rest of the trip.”
Fortitude Magazine“The pages were damp when my copy arrived. I don't care. Five stars.”
Verified readerUPWARD Summit · Lisbon · 41 million views
Rise Without Words
The most-watched talk in Summit history. 18 minutes and 4 seconds. Wendell Marsh does not say anything, and the room never forgets it.
Official transcript
00:00 [Wendell walks onstage. The stage was reinforced in advance.]
00:22 [Applause.]
00:41 [Silence.]
03:12 [Wendell looks at the front row for a long time.]
05:30 [Silence continues.]
07:55 [A single loud breath through the nose. Several people in the front row begin to cry.]
09:40 [Wendell turns slowly and faces the back wall. The audience takes this as a metaphor.]
11:30 [Wendell eats part of the floral arrangement on the lectern.]
11:31 [Applause.]
14:02 [A stage hand approaches with a bucket. Wendell does not acknowledge it. The stage hand leaves.]
16:48 [Wendell stamps once.]
18:04 [Wendell exits through the side of the set. Standing ovation, 9 minutes.]
Investor Relations
Q3 2026 results
Record revenue for the eleventh quarter in a row. The board thanks our CEO for his continued silence during a period of strong growth.
Quarter ended September 30, 2026 (USD millions)
| Line | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar revenue | 1,102.4 | 842.0 |
| Book and media | 488.9 | 371.6 |
| Corporate programs | 251.1 | 190.3 |
| Total revenue | 1,842.4 | 1,403.9 |
| Executive facilities and feed | (212.0) | (64.5) |
| Venue repairs | (88.7) | (41.2) |
| Settlements | (53.0) | (19.9) |
| Office supplies (incl. hay, decorative) | (0.038) | (0.031) |
“Feed” refers to the executive catering program. “Settlements” are routine.
Q3 earnings call · excerpt
OPERATOR: Good morning and welcome to the UPWARD third quarter call. Joining us are our CEO, Wendell Marsh, and our CFO, Linda Okafor.
LINDA OKAFOR, CFO: Thank you. Wendell would like to open the call.
[Chewing. 40 seconds.]
LINDA OKAFOR, CFO: Thank you, Wendell. As you can see, it was a strong quarter.
ANALYST (Greystone Capital): Can the CEO explain the 40 percent drop in European seminar sales?
[Chewing.]
[Chewing continues.]
LINDA OKAFOR, CFO: Wendell believes Europe will come around.
ANALYST (Halvorsen & Lowe): Follow-up on “Executive facilities and feed.” Two hundred and twelve million dollars. What exactly is the CEO eating?
LINDA OKAFOR, CFO: We don't break that number out.
OPERATOR: Our next question is… sorry, I've been handed the wrong card. This one just says “portal password reset to SUGARCUBE, tell nobody.” Please disregard. Next question.
LINDA OKAFOR, CFO: We're going to wrap up there.
[A long, wet exhale near the microphone.]
OPERATOR: Thank you. That concludes today's call.
[After the call, UPWARD stock rose 9 percent.]
Board of directors
Wendell Marsh
Founder, CEO and Chair. Has attended every board meeting. Has voted in none.
Linda Okafor
Chief Financial Officer. Joined 2019. Requested a ground-floor office.
Gerald Penhallow
Independent director. Former airline executive. Has proposed four motions. None have passed.
Press
In the news
The Quiet Giant: How Wendell Marsh Built a $4 Billion Empire Without Saying a Word
Cover story, March 2026. Interview conducted in a paddock at the subject's request.
Most Admired CEOs of 2026: No. 3
“He is the only executive on this list we were not allowed to photograph from the front.”
Summit Draws Record Crowd; Venue Reports Minor Damage
Article removed at the request of UPWARD Communications.
Statement on the Denver Keynote
“Wendell left the stage through the side wall as part of a planned moment about breaking through. The venue has been compensated.”
Statement on the Recent Photograph
“Wendell was stretching.”
40 ACRESInside the “thinking space” he never leaves
NO CHAIRSWhy nobody at UPWARD sits down. Ever.
EXCLUSIVEThe interview, conducted in a paddock
GIANTHow Wendell Marsh built a $4 billion empire without saying a word
Media contact
UPWARD Communications · press@upward-holdings.com · Interviews with the CEO are not available.
Careers
Rise with us.
We hire people who stay calm, stay on their feet, and never ask questions they already know the answer to.
Executive Wellness Consultant
Daily care for the CEO's health and posture. Must be comfortable kneeling. Feet experience a plus.
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Manage the CEO's calendar, travel and meals. Must be comfortable around large animals. Do not ask.
Speechwriter
Our CEO does not use words. You will write them anyway, for press, investors and the board. Strong imagination required.
Facilities Associate, Executive Floor (nights)
Sweeping, restocking, and replacing the carpet as needed. Discretion is the whole job.
Communications Manager, Rapid Response
Available at all hours. Must stay calm on camera when something unexpected happens on stage. Must be able to say “stretching” with a straight face.
Event Safety Lead
Plan seminar layouts. Keep the space behind the CEO clear at all times. Previous experience with fences is welcome.
To apply, email your résumé to careers@upward-holdings.com. We read every application. The CEO reviews the final shortlist personally.
Current staff: sign in to the staff portal.
Internal · Authorized staff only
Staff portal
Forgot your password? Passwords are reset every quarter and announced on the earnings call. Do not ask Communications.
UPWARD internal · Staff portal v1.9
Welcome back.
Newsroom
Press releases
Official announcements from UPWARD Holdings, Inc. For media inquiries, contact UPWARD Communications.
Nov 2, 2026UPWARD Reports Record Q3 Revenue of $1.84 Billion
LEXINGTON, Ky. UPWARD Holdings, Inc. today reported third-quarter revenue of $1.84 billion, up 31% from a year ago, its eleventh consecutive record quarter. “Wendell's leadership continues to speak for itself,” said CFO Linda Okafor. “Which is good, because he doesn't.”
Full results are available on the Investors page.
Oct 19, 2026Statement Regarding the Zurich Leadership Forum
UPWARD regrets the incident at the Zurich Leadership Forum buffet. The CEO was not hungry. He was making a point about abundance.
The Forum has been compensated. The ice sculpture will be replaced. UPWARD will not be attending the Forum in 2027 at the Forum's request.
Sep 15, 2026UPWARD Opens 40th Seminar City in Singapore
UPWARD today opened its 40th seminar location, a 6,000-seat single-story hall in Singapore with reinforced flooring and wide doors. The first seminar sold out in nine minutes.
Jul 1, 2026Statement on the Recent Photograph
Wendell was stretching.
Mar 4, 2026Statement on the Denver Keynote
Wendell left the stage through the side wall as part of a planned moment about breaking through. Nobody was hurt. The venue has been compensated.
Nov 20, 2025UPWARD Named a Best Place to Work for the Fourth Year
Employees praised UPWARD's high-ceilinged open offices, generous outdoor space and the complete absence of stairs. 94% said they feel safe at work most days.
Jun 10, 2024UPWARD Completes Acquisition of Meadowbrook Feed & Supply
UPWARD has acquired Meadowbrook Feed & Supply, a regional agricultural supplier, for $41 million. The acquisition strengthens UPWARD's executive wellness capabilities. Meadowbrook will continue to operate under its own name. Its largest customer is UPWARD.
Feb 8, 2022UPWARD Moves Headquarters to Single-Story Campus
UPWARD has moved its headquarters to a new single-story campus on 40 acres outside Lexington. The previous headquarters, a 22-story tower, has been sold. The elevator has been sold separately.
May 30, 2019Linda Okafor Appointed Chief Financial Officer
UPWARD has appointed Linda Okafor as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Okafor joins from a global logistics firm. She asked several questions during her final interview and is no longer asking them.
Aug 14, 2017Co-Founder Doug Hale Steps Down
Doug Hale, co-founder of UPWARD, is stepping down to spend more time with his family and recovering. Doug thanks everyone for the cards and asks that people stop sending apples to the hospital.
Dec 23, 2015UPWARD Names Wendell Marsh Chief Executive Officer
UPWARD today named Wendell Marsh Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The appointment was announced at the company holiday party and approved by the board in under four minutes.
“We are thrilled,” said co-founder Doug Hale. “We'll see how it goes.”
Apr 1, 2014UPWARD Founded in Lexington, Kentucky
Doug Hale has founded UPWARD, a personal development company, in a converted barn outside Lexington. Also on site from the first day: Wendell.
Leadership
Our leadership team
Wendell Marsh
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Wendell leads.
Linda Okafor
Chief Financial Officer
Linda joined UPWARD in 2019 after 14 years in global logistics. She oversees finance, investor relations and the executive facilities budget. She holds an MBA and a ground-floor office.
Marcus Bell
General Counsel
Marcus leads a legal team of 46, the largest of any personal development company in North America. He has settled more matters than any general counsel in UPWARD's sector, and he believes every matter can be settled.
Priya Nandakumar
Chief People Officer
Priya built UPWARD's award-winning onboarding program, including the safety module completed by every employee on their first day. She has redesigned slide 3 eleven times.
Dana Fuller
Chief Communications Officer
Dana leads global communications. She has written 1,200 statements on the CEO's behalf and has never once quoted him directly.
Gerald Penhallow
Independent Director
Gerald is a former airline executive and UPWARD's longest-serving independent director. He chairs the governance committee and is preparing a motion.
Photos coming soon.
Sustainability · 2026 report
Rising responsibly
We believe growth should leave the world better than we found it. Here is how we measure up.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks related to our leadership
Our success depends heavily on our Chief Executive Officer. Our brand, our seminars and our share price are closely tied to Wendell Marsh. The loss of Mr. Marsh, or a decision by Mr. Marsh to leave a building through a wall, could materially harm our business.
Our Chief Executive Officer cannot be easily replaced. The board has considered succession on four occasions. On each occasion our share price rose sharply and the matter was withdrawn. We expect this pattern to continue.
Our Chief Executive Officer does not communicate in a conventional way. Mr. Marsh does not give interviews, sign documents or respond to email. Decisions attributed to Mr. Marsh are interpreted by the Executive Office. Investors should not rely on any statement made in his name.
We face risks from our executive catering program. Executive facilities and feed costs rose 228% in fiscal 2025. We do not expect them to fall.
We maintain key person insurance on our Chief Executive Officer. Details of the policy are confidential. It was not easy to obtain.
Litigation. We are routinely party to claims arising from incidents at our seminars, offices and venues. We settle most of them. See Note 14, “Settlements,” and Note 15, “Walls.”
UPWARD Holdings, Inc. · Annual Report FY2025 · 47
Locations
Where we rise
| Office | Address | Floor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington (HQ) | 1 Upward Way, Lexington, KY | Ground | 40-acre campus. Visitors must check in at the gate. |
| Lisbon | Avenida da Liberdade 210, Lisbon | Ground | Summit venue partner. |
| Singapore | 8 Marina View, Singapore | Ground | Opened September 2026. |
| London | 14 Old Street, London | Ground | Loading dock entrance only. |
| Denver | 1400 Larimer St, Denver, CO | Ground | Temporarily closed for wall repairs. |
| Toronto | 55 Front St W, Toronto | Ground | No carpet. |
Legal
Privacy policy
Last updated October 3, 2026
1. What we collect. We collect the information you give us when you buy a book, register for a seminar or contact us, such as your name, email address and seat preference (standing).
2. How we use it. We use your information to deliver our programs, process payments and send you updates about UPWARD. You can unsubscribe at any time.
3. Sharing. We never sell your personal data. We never share it with third parties, or eat it.
4. Storage. Your data is stored on secure servers. Printed records are kept in sealed lockers on Level 1, away from the executive floor.
5. Cookies. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. These are digital cookies only.
6. Your rights. You may ask to see, correct or delete your data. Requests made in person at our Lexington campus should be made at the gate, and not in the field.
7. Contact. privacy@upward-holdings.com
Legal
Terms of use
Last updated October 3, 2026
1. Acceptance. By using this website or attending an UPWARD event, you agree to these terms.
2. Content. All content on this site, including the UPWARD Method, is owned by UPWARD Holdings, Inc. You may not copy or resell it.
3. Events. Seminar tickets are non-refundable. UPWARD may change venues, times or speakers at any time. Seating at UPWARD events is standing only.
4. Conduct at events. Attendees must follow staff instructions. Attendees may not bring food into the hall, approach the stage, or stand directly behind any UPWARD executive.
5. Photography. Photographing the CEO is not permitted. Any photograph taken in error will be deleted by staff. Please hand over your device calmly.
6. Liability. UPWARD is not liable for injury, loss of property or loss of hats at any event.
7. Governing law. These terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Investor Relations
Contact Investor Relations
Or email ir@upward-holdings.com. Investor Relations does not take questions about the CEO's diet.
Image credits
Photography
Some images are used under Creative Commons licenses and have been cropped and color-adjusted.
- Founder portrait: Elekes Andor, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Headquarters facade: Dietmar Rabich, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Magazine cover detail: Idella Maeland, via Wikimedia Commons (Unsplash), CC0
- Headquarters courtyard: Dietmar Rabich, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Office décor: Tobias ToMar Maier, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0