Since 1987, Eli has worked with people infected with HIV. The journey started with countless AIDS funerals, volunteering with hospice care organizations, becoming a counselor in an AIDS clinic, and eventually an addictions counselor in an inpatient treatment program. He currently is in private practice and is a member of the adjunct faculty at UNC Charlotte. He earned a B.A. in Biology from Belmont Abbey College and M.A. and Ph. D. degrees in counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.