Nadine Machkovech
TEDx Speaker • Author • Award-Winning Advocate • Executive Director
I help communities talk about the things that actually save lives.
Too often, people walk around with good intentions but no place to process the real stuff — burnout, shame, identity loss, survival mode, disconnection. My work cuts through performance and inspiration to help people feel lighter, think more clearly, and live more whole lives.
My approach blends:
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lived experience rooted in long-term recovery
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evidence-based prevention frameworks
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honest storytelling that creates connection
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practical tools people can use after they walk out of the room
Where this shows up:
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Keynotes that open honest dialogue
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Workshops that cultivate resilience and connection
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Facilitated experiences that shift culture
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Healing-centered offerings that help people remember they are enough
Why It Works
My methods are grounded in peer-led education, peer-reviewed published research, and prevention through RISE Together, our nonprofit, where I’ve helped shape impactful youth and community programs. Across audiences like youth, caregivers, educators, and leaders, I meet people where they are and help them move forward with both compassion and clarity.
I don’t just speak about transformation... I help create spaces that make it possible.
Location:
Orlando, Florida
About Nadine
Impact & Experience Highlights
Across the last decade, Nadine has:
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Delivered 2,000+ hours of keynotes, workshops, and trainings impacting individuals and teams
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Helped educate 500,000+ people on mental health, resilience, and self-worth
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Partnered with schools, nonprofits, and organizations to create stigma-free, healing-centered spaces
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With her TEDx story of recovery from opiates, reaching over 610,000 people around the world
Nadine Machkovech is a TEDx speaker, author, and nonprofit leader who helps communities discuss the issues that truly save lives.
Her work is rooted in her leadership with RISE TOGETHER, a peer-led prevention organization that uses storytelling, connection, and research-backed practices to reduce stigma and strengthen protective factors before a crisis hits. Through RISE and her personal speaking and writing, Nadine creates healing-centered spaces where people feel seen, heard, and willing to tell the truth.
Blending lived experience, honest conversation, and prevention-based tools, Nadine supports audiences navigating burnout, identity shifts, and prolonged pressure... without performance or shame. She is the author of Enough Already: A Journey From Hiding to Healing and brings immediate connection, clarity, and humanity into rooms that are often afraid to slow down.
Her work and voice have been featured in outlets including USA Today, FOX, WBAY, HuffPost, as well as her role as a Wellness Expert with Bellin Health, recognized as a survivor advocate for the National Safety Council, and shared stages at national forums and community events across the country.
She lives between Wisconsin and Florida with her fiancé, Anthony, their son, Aidyn, and daughter, Jaedah — building a life rooted in truth, healing, and purpose.
Want to work with Nadine?
Whether you’re planning an event, retreat, workshop, or organizational culture session, I’d love to explore how we can bring honest transformation to your people.
-> Contact me at nadinemarie.speaks@gmail.com
-> Or click below to start a conversation
Experience
December 11, 2025
November 3, 2025
September 12, 2025
August 2025
March 14, 2025
September 13, 2024
September 2023 - June 2024
July 2024 - October 2024
September 12, 2023
March 2024
July 2023 - June 2024
Oct 2021 - Present
September 12, 2021
January 2021 - Present
January 2019
Sept 2018 - Dec 2019
June 2018
January 2018
August 2018
2017
2016
September 2015
2015
January 2014
Author of ENOUGH Already: A Journey From Hiding to Healing
Speaker at 3rd Annual Rise 4 Recovery Summit with Braeburn Rx
RISE TOGETHER 12 Year Golden Anniversary at Gibson Music Hall
RISE's Peer-Reviewed Research published and indexed in the NIH in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine
RISE TOGETHER 11 Year Anniversary Celebration + Concert
Helped create, organize, and implement the foundation for an event and rental business in Green Bay, WI, with Take Action Realty.
Organized, did outreach and supported the planning of 2nd Annual Wisconsin HER Day at the Oshkosh Arena with the Wisconsin Herd.
Worked as the Advocacy Director for a nonprofit, We EmpowHER, based in Fond du Lac, WI, where I interviewed, educated, trained, and mentored 50+ women through their 6th empowerment series.
I joined BODi (formerly known as Beachbody where I have helped hundreds of women create healthier fitness routines through challenges and accountability groups; I advanced in rank multiple times and won trips to Gatlinburg, TN & Wilmington, NC.
Voted into the Executive Director role following my predecessor and fiance, Anthony Alvarado.
On the advisory board for Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, helped organize the WI State Recovery Rally and MC'd it.
Recognized as a survivor advocate with National Safety Council
Became the Chief of Operations for RISE TOGETHER, leading and organizing over 50+ events and speaking in 15 major cities.
I shared my recovery story on the TEDx Fond du Lac stage, which has now been viewed by over 610,000 people worldwide. Hearing a message of hope and resilience.
I started sharing my recovery journey and personal/professional development lessons through The Sunlit Warrior Vlog and blog.
Voted on the board for RAP-WI (Recovery Addiction Professionals), which was formally known as WAADAC, to help advocate for recovery coaching to be seen as a legitimate peer recovery support service.
Became CCAR Recovery Coach and Training Certified
Helped co-create a statewide support group for siblings struggling with substance use disorder.
Found recovery and started my advocacy journey with RISE TOGETHER as a street team member and other organizations like OFA (Organizing for Action)
Featured Speaking & Training Engagements
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3rd Annual Rise 4 Recovery Summit at Braeburn Rx
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RISE TOGETHER 12th Anniversary at Gibson Music Hall
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3rd Annual WI HER Day Teen Conference Facilitator, 2025
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Santa Rosa Junior College – Keynote, 2024
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College of DuPage – Annual Substance Abuse Symposium, Keynote
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Green River College (WA) – Guest Keynote, 2022
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Marian University UBMS Program – Presenter, 2022–2024
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SAMHSA Recovery Month Planning Committee – Partner
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National Prevention Conference – Featured Presenter, 2021
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Community Catalyst Annual Convening (Atlanta, GA) – National Panelist
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University of Houston (ARHE) – Collegiate Recovery Conference
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Now is the Time Conference (UW Whitewater) – Keynote, 2018
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Wisconsin Statewide Recovery Rally – Speaker & MC (3x)
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Statewide Mental Health Conferences (WI) – UW Marshfield,
UW-Green Bay, Northwoods Coalition -
Wisconsin Statewide School Resource Officers Conference
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Wisconsin Family-Based Services Association Conference
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WI Nurses Association State Conference
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United Way Teen Symposium
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Juvenile Justice & Children’s Mental Health Conferences
Allison Garner, Author and Founder of Thoughtly
I’ve known Nadine for about 7 years. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching with her, sharing a stage, and collaborating on projects. Nadine possesses a quiet strength that is grounding and inspiring. Her ability to create a safe space for others to speak their truth is one of her superpowers. She exudes high integrity and holds herself and others accountable, which has led to her high levels of success. What I most appreciate about her is how she connects deeply and authentically with me where I feel seen and understood.
Joseph Green, Founder and CEO of LMS Voice
Nadine is the person you want behind whatever project you might be launching. Working with her over the past four years has been both a personal and professional pleasure. Her ability to coordinate complex logistic and center both the humans and the mission is unparalleled. I look forward to working with her again because her passion for being a change maker is contagious.
Anthony Alvarado, Founder of RISE TOGETHER
It is impressive to see how much impact Nadine has made over the past several years. Her strong leadership shines while in the service of others. As a lifelong learner, she is notably passionate, organized, detailed-oriented, and recognized as a great communicator throughout her community. She continues to be relevant as her narrative changes and grows. I am proud to have been a part of her growth and success over the years and I'm proud to be her partner in business & life.