Your Fully Engaging Speaker
A Lifetime of Experience
Every since I was a child, I was placed in front of audiences. My mom started me on Piano lessons when I was in first grade. She eventually build a studio that included regular piano recitals three times a year. In sixth grade I say my first string bass and I was hooked, instantly enrolling into Orchestra.
One day, while in high school, I determined that I was no longer going to be nervous at concerts. Because that way I could play better. At that same time, I was given opportunities to occasionally speak or teach classes in church. When I enrolled in a speech class, I learned that public speaking was somewhat natural to me.
I also started learning my first lessons about cold sales as I participated in many school fundraisers for band, football, and wrestling. A lot of door-to-door experience.
And I loved all of it!
Additional Opportunities
After high school, I served a two-year mission in Chihuahua Mexico. There I was given the opportunity to not just learn, but to teach and publicly speak in Spanish. I taught lessons every day, and would speak to a congregation at least once a month. Even when my Spanish was not good, I still loved the opportunities.
After my mission, I went to college. While I primarily focused on a degree in Jazz Studies, I also took advantage of a teaching program that was offered to non-education majors. It provided me with information to enhance my presentations, and using different resources. While there, it even helped me get a campus position teaching a money management workshop for the financial aid department.
My love for being in front of an audience to help them learn and grow only continued to develop from there.
Choosing To Speak More
One I decided to open The Bassic Trainer, I was especially excited to get back in front of more groups and start speaking to an audience.
I discovered that I had a family member who had opened a business as a speaking coach. So I reached out to Kelley Walker and started attending some of her online classes. I even made the trek back to Utah to occasionally attend her in person classes. She was a great resource for me to go to. Check out this podcast that she invited me to do with her.
Kelley is also responsible for introducing me to Toastmasters International (TMI).
Toastmaster International
I looked for a local club and found one that would work with my schedule. I attempted to reach out, but got no response. It was just after COVID, and I knew that the world was still reorganizing.
A short while later, while holding a ribbon cutting for my business with the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce I was introduced to Wayne, who was a member of TMI in the Idaho Falls chapter. He invited me to a meeting and I was hooked.
A couple years later, I am almost done with my "Distinguished Toastmaster" certification.
One of the things I love about TMI is the competitions they hold every year. I get the opportunity to network and compete with some amazing speakers. It's a great growth opportunity.
It also provides me with an opportunity to work on keynote presentations and classes I am developing. It's a safe environment where I can get some great feedback and suggestions for improvement. Making my message always more effective.
*A quick speech from a TMI meeting
I'm A Finalist!!!
As I continued down my path of growth and study, I discovered Grant Cardone. I even signed up for his business coach certification program, but realized I didn't need another certification for my business, I needed to get to work. So I eventually dropped out.
But while I was there a learned some valuable lessons that I still carry with me. I continue to attend events and read books by Mr. Cardone regularly. I even keep a copy of "The Millionaire Booklet" in my back pocket.
While following him, I learned about The Great American Speak Off contest that his team created.
I needed to audition, so I did. I don't know how many people auditioned, but it was in the 10's of thousands we were told. Only 120 would receive the coveted "Golden Ticket" to advance to the semi-finals.
I auditioned about five times. By the last one, I had already accepted my fate of not getting a "Golden Ticket." But I had to try again. I was so excited when I saw my name flash across the screen as one who would advance to the next round.
Light Your Team on Fire
As I continued to improve my speaking capabilities, I was invited to be on a podcast about building a speaking business. Check out this podcast episode over here.
One day I was approached by my friend Wayne Davis (remember him from TMI). He was working on a leadership training experience with another friend names Michael Harris.
Wayne and Michael felt that something was missing from their training. Upon hearing one of keynote presentations, he realized that I had the missing ingredient. So he invited me to partner with them in offering this principle-based leadership training to business leaders in our community.
Today, Light Your Team on Fire is an important part of my business when I work with leaders who are looking for team trainings with presenters coming from different backgrounds and experiences.
If you would like to know more about Light Your Team on Fire, click on this link here!