SERVICES

Smiling woman in blue by the ocean.

KEYNOTE # 1

Pursue Your Savvy U®

Thriving Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually — One Room at a Time

Across every arena—coaching, business, education, ministry—leaders are feeling the weight of pressure, uncertainty, and fatigue. I’ve been there too. There are seasons when the noise gets loud, the world feels heavy, and even the strong feel stretched thin.

So how do we keep leading—and living—with wisdom, peace, and purpose in a culture that seems to have lost its footing? How do we pursue our best Savvy U®?

In this keynote, I share The Inside Game framework through a faith-based lens, showing how God renovates us from the inside out—one room at a time. We’ll walk through a Savvy U® Body Scan —a head-to-toe reflection on how to thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually by letting Christ realign each part of who we are.

You’ll leave with practical tools, Scripture-based insights, and renewed strength to lead, love, and live from the inside out.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."
~ 1 Peter 2:9

KEYNOTE # 2

Can God Be Trusted?

Yep! Let Me Prove It.
Trust is a fundamental, bottom-line issue. Without it, leaders lose teams, teams lose athletes, salespeople lose sales, and organizations lose reputation, retention of good people, relationships, and revenue. Without it, Christians lose hope.
But with trust, individuals and organizations enjoy greater creativity, productivity, freedom, and results. With it, individuals thrive and relationships survice. As a senior consultant with The Trust Edge Leadership Institute since 2016, I have firsthand experience working with some the world’s highest performing organizations. Utilizing the Bible and industry leading research, The Trust Outlook®, I reveal how God is the MOST TRUSTED LEADER and prove it using the Trust Edge 8 Pillar Framework. You'll also learn strategies to sharpen your own 'trust edge' and why that is important for His Kingdom work.
“Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in You.”

-Psalm 33:20-22

Calm sunrise over a rocky lakeshore.

Custom Speaking Options

Please contact me if you would like a keynote or teaching on a topic not listed above. I have been a chaplain and Bible study leader for over 25 years and would love to see how to meet your group's needs.

I welcome the opportunity to help you become your best Savvy U®

Wooden steps leading to a lakeside house.

Training Workshops

Leaders don’t need to copy the culture to become relevant to people ~ they need to engage people with the Word of God. That's what we'll do in a Savvy U® workshop. We'll dive into God’s Word to help answer the problems of real-life. I have been blessed to have been taught by some of the leading Biblical teachers and can't wait to share some of the insights they've shared with me.

Let's talk and take the next 'steps' needed to find purpose, peace and victory.

"You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and place their trust in You."

~ Isaiah 26:3

Custom Training

Please contact Michelle if you would like a live or virtual training. She welcomes the opportunity to help you and your organization pursue your Savvy U®. 

Faith-Based Consulting & Leadership Training

Building trust where it matters most.

For Christian executives, teams, and organizations who want to lead with excellence and integrity, I offer customized consulting and leadership training grounded in The Trust Edge® framework and biblical principles.

You’ll learn how to strengthen clarity, character, and connection across your organization — cultivating a culture where trust is not only good business but a faithful reflection of God’s design for leadership.

Whether through an executive retreat, team workshop, or multi-session coaching series, each experience is tailored to help you integrate timeless truth into today’s workplace.

Let’s build a culture of trust that stands firm — from the inside out.

Coaching/Consulting

Please contact me if you would like a coaching. I have been a chaplain and Bible study leader for over 25 years and would love to see how to meet your group's needs.

I welcome the opportunity to help you become your best Savvy U®

Digital brain illustration with abstract elements.

The Inside Game | Eight Rooms. One U®

This transformational 8-week course takes coaches, athletes, and leaders inside the “rooms” of their own mindset to strengthen what matters most. Each week, you’ll step into a new room—like the Living Room for relationships or the Weight Room for consistency—where timeless truths meet neuroscience and practical tools. With case studies, interactive challenges, and real-world applications, you’ll learn to lead with confidence, clarity, and resilience. Along the way, you’ll build the Trust Edge—the competitive advantage gained when others confidently believe in you—so you can thrive under pressure and bring out the best in your team, and yourself. In every step, you’ll be challenged and inspired to pursue The Savvy U®.

Course Options

Click here if you want to sign up for the 8 Week course, or find out more about other courses offered.

We Don’t Have to Live That Way!

~We ALWAYS have a CHOICE~

Sign up for a live keynote, a half- or full-day training, or one-on-one coaching/consulting, or join us in the It’s an Inside Game 8-week Savvy U® leadership course. We will do some soul-stretching by taking a closer look at the Good Book (the Bible). Together, we will learn how to live a wise life of purpose, peace, and victory. Gain the necessary tools to pursue the Savvy U®—for Him.

“You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.”
~ Isaiah 26:3

Speaker presenting at an Inspire Trust event.

Adventures

"A change of place + A change of pace = A change of perspective"
~ Mark Batterson

Metal bicycle model by a window.

Group Adventure

Faith, friendship, and fresh air for the soul.

If your group is craving time away to reconnect with God and each other, these guided adventures are designed to help you breathe deeply, laugh freely, and grow spiritually — together.

Women’s groups are led by Michelle, and men’s groups by Ron — both offering biblically grounded reflection, safe adventure, and intentional time to pause, pray, and play in God’s creation.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” — 3 John 1:2
“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16

Ready to plan your group adventure? Let’s talk.

~ 3 John 1:2 ESV

This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it."

~ Jeremiah 6:16

Individual Quest

Let me guide you on a soul searching adventure. I will tailor the trip to ensure your safety, accommodate your needs while still stretch your body, mind and spirit. I have several midwest locations ready for us to explore and experience His beautiful creation. Contact me if you're interested in a single or multiple day adventure. And...yes, I can travel to you or with you around the globe. I have adventures (hikes, glaciers, tide pooling, waterfalls, sunrises/sets to catch...) waiting for us in locations from Alaska to Bermuda and more...We can do it safely...Can't wait!

Rocky shoreline with trees and calm water.

If your soul could use a reset, a dose of hope, or space to reconnect with God, you’re not alone.

Welcome to Respiree — our home for private, confidential coaching and spiritual training. It’s a quiet place to pause, breathe, and begin again — where leaders come to rest, realign, and rebuild what matters most.

I also travel to speak and train teams, churches, and leadership groups — bringing The Inside Game message to those hungry for growth, clarity, and Christ-centered leadership.

Whether in a quiet space or a crowded room, the goal is the same: to strengthen what’s inside—so you can live and lead with wisdom that lasts.

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"Michelle goes the extra mile for everyone she serves. She is high-energy and interactive on stage. She does the homework to customize her message. You won't meet anyone you can count on more to be there for you and to be ready for your audience.”

David Horsager, Trust Edge Leadership Institute

“Michelle is someone who is committed to seeing people thrive. I’ve seen her creativity and hard work propel growth in the lives of me and my teammates, and I’m excited to see how she continues to impact others!”

Maya Moore Irons , 4x WNBA Champion, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist

“Michelle is an engaging, personal, and relevant speaker. Her ability to relate to all ages with both her humor and content shows her experience and talent as a professional speaker. Her charismatic personality brings it all to life and draws you in. I highly recommend Michelle as a speaker.”

Lanita Stutzman, Executive Director

"TRUST me!! Michelle rocks! Her dynamic and fun session at our leadership conference this summer had everyone engaged and excited and everyone left with actionable ideas and motivation to be better leaders. I strongly recommend booking Michelle for your next event!"

Jennifer Schmitz, Executive Director, ALASBO

"The Savvy U Trust Edge Experience was a huge difference maker for our team. We learned some valuable tools to build trust and Michelle was an incredible communicator and really connected with our team. She helped take our team to the next level and we had a fantastic year. I would highly recommend having share with your program if you want to build trust in their organization."

Matt Bollant, Division I Women's Basketball Coach

"What a fantastic adventure! Michelle has so much energy and spunk yet balances it with sharing deep research and relaxing peaceful campfires. A trip like I've never been on before and just what I needed. So good for my soul. THANKS! Will go again..."

J.B.

“During my time with the Lynx, Michelle faithfully devoted herself to giving the players practical yet edifying teaching that we still use in our lives today. Michelle was able to deliver in a way that left us feeling inspired and confident. She was refreshing, in that she would always find a new way to give us agency, and develop our own convictions for our lives. Over the course of the 5 years, Michelle was the consistent voice that kept us on a path of faith and leadership development. Her love and passion for this kind of work has planted seed in all of the players she has touched, as all still carry her lessons with us.”

Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager of WNBA Expansion Team Toronto Tempo, Former MN Lynx Professional Basketball Player

Michelle was an excellent speaker for our conference. Not only was she a subject matter expert, but Michelle also clearly believes in the importance of building and maintaining trust and delivers that message with the energy to keep everyone engaged. Michelle also stepped up and went the extra mile by helping us fill in another session that had fallen through by providing us with a table-talk exercise to build on what she had presented. The only regret is not having more time with her plugged in for us.

Tim Nelson, Cook County Land Services Director

“Wow! What an adventure! Michelle led us on a weekend journey filled with learning, laughter, and love. With her guidance, we grew wiser in living life with purpose.”

Peggy R.

“Highly recommend The Savvy U® experience and Michelle Backes as your guide. Michelle is knowledgeable, passionate, and thoughtful. It’s an experience you will hold close to your heart and soul.”

Darcy Moss

"Michelle laid out the foundation pillars of the Trust Edge program for our school district. The program is a powerful opportunity toward building a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability. By providing our staff with the tools to create an environment where innovation thrives, collaboration is valued, and every person in the organization feels they have a voice will foster the groundwork necessary for long-term achievement and meaningful connections across our school and the greater community."

Shelly Bauer, Superintendent for The Madelia Public School District