If you have ever gone to a TEDxCincinnati event, you may be familiar with the art and work of Michael Davis without even realizing it. Michael is one of the coaches working with some of the speakers to deliver powerful messages. And audiences typically leave those shows impacted in meaningful ways.

His ability to help others craft and strengthen their stories has been tested well beyond Cincinnati. Michael has also successfully coached competitors of the World Championship of Public Speaking; and he is a

A certified World Class Speaking Coach, Michael speaks, coaches people, and offers free speaking tips through his company, Speaking CPR.  I know him as one of the founders of my Toast of the Town Toastmasters Club. I can tell you, when he presents, you want to be there to here him. We just recently had a rare opportunity to offer a workshop by him on storytelling and it inspired me to learn more about this man who makes a living helping others sound their best.

I was actually surprised to learn that his passion for this work comes from his own personal growth, a journey that has taken him from a shy child to a financial planner who gave workshops that ‘were really awful’ (in his own words). In fact, “they were so bad that my boss sat me down and said, ‘you better get better or else.’”

Talk about motivation!

Michael soon found Toastmasters…and the rest is, well, how a journey can stray way off course only to point you in the direction you were always meant to go.

Lisa:  How long did it take you to build your speaking and communication skills?
Michael: It did not happen overnight. It was about ten years.

I remember the one day in a Toastmasters meeting that I learned a valuable lesson, out of desperation. No one showed up that day and so I was asked to speak. I wasn’t prepared which was completely out of my comfort zone. When I finished, I sat down and berated myself. But fellow member Chris Nachtrab, a Toastmaster regional champion and international semi-finalist, told me that he has never seen me more authentic. He told me to keep doing what I was doing. It was an eye opener.

Lisa: What do you tell people who are fearful about speaking?
Michael: I tell them you just have got to get up and speak. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be with it. It is normal to be nervous. We are wired to be afraid of speaking. You are alone in front of an audience with all these eyes you. Some researchers believe we feel we are in attack when on stage. But the audience WANTS you to do well.

I hear this often, ‘I want to get up and be perfect.’ I tell them no. It is about connection, not perfection. I wanted that for a long time. People have told me I looked polished, but then I realized after my speech, that it is about being real. You will make mistakes. Learn from it and get better.

Lisa: What do you enjoy most about the coaching?
Michael: I love seeing people who were in the same place I was years ago, who get it. They say, ‘ok, I can do this. I can deliver a message in a way that impacts people.’ They say, ‘you won’t believe how I impacted people.’

That is the greatest feeling. To me, the benefit of becoming a speaker is growing your confidence, being comfortable in your own skin. You can be better known in your field and create opportunities for advancement. You can definitely make more money. It is a great time saver too, especially for sales people when you can present your message, story and pitch before a group of prospects.

Lisa: What is a piece of advice you have for others when it comes to speaking?
Michael: The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare. Something will go wrong, but when you know your speech you can step away from it. You know you know your presentation.

Lisa:  What is one of your life lessons that experience has taught you?
Michael:  I’ve come to realize that when I go up in front of an audience, and I don’t get my point across, that I haven’t failed. I see it now as a learning lesson. It is not permanent. You try again.

In 2002, I met Darren Lacroix, then the reigning World Champion of Public Speaking, and thought, ‘that is a guy I’d like to emulate.’  I asked him if he would coach me and his answer was, ‘well, I might.’  I replied, ‘What do you mean?’, and his answer was that I need to read a book called Stand-Up Comedy. Then I remembered a story from his speech. He was a young comedian and his mentor pulled him aside. His mentor told him, ‘I will always give you a slot to open for me but if you ever turn me down, you will lose that spot.’

After reading the book I asked Darren what was next. He was surprised I was the only person who read the it. He wanted to see that I was serious. My lesson from that is that when the test comes up to open a door, even though it might not be what you are looking for it, walk through the door and take the test, and trust that something good will happen on the other side.

Darren and I are close friends today, and I am one of the coaches for his Stage Time University on public speaking.

Lisa: What is something people may not know about you?
Michael: I am an Indy car fanatic and once rode an Indy car 150 mph on the race track. I’ve been to Indy 39  times….

and I am not ashamed to admit is that an 8 pound chihuahua runs my life.