As we prepare for the Olympics to begin, one of the most beautiful and compelling aspects is the personal stories of these great athletes from all over the world.

In many cases, they have overcome tremendous challenges to achieve greatness in their own right, and then they have the rare opportunity to compete at the Olympics—an even rarer opportunity to win a medal.

An ongoing theme in Vocal Awareness is that 'A Champion Does It Differently'.

One of the greatest champions I've ever trained is Dwyane Wade, who will be providing analysis for NBC covering basketball.

We began preparing two months ago, ensuring that the work he has been doing for years now helps him maintain his voice, presence, and command in what we call his Conscious Awareness, just as he did in his game as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

As he discusses players from South Sudan to Germany, Japan, and beyond, learning to pronounce their names naturally and accurately is a crucial part of our preparation.

This is a perfect example of a champion doing things differently.

I posted this while in New York for CBS Sports and just finished training a young broadcaster who will be covering table tennis for the Olympics, practicing and preparing him for that.

This young man has a wonderful instrument, so I approached it from the perspective of a singer, helping him release tension from his tongue and jaw, using only his core and quads to produce sound without his voice being obstructed, always reminding him of the joy in these opportunities, the joy in these moments. I remind him that while the mouth delivers the words, but the eyes tell the story.

In elite athletes, all this preparation, what I refer to as Conscious Awareness, is ingrained.

Nothing they do in sports is unconscious.

They train their bodies to think, to notice, to observe every moment of every aspect of what they do.

It is seamless.

Awakening our inner champion

My concept in communication is, how can we apply the same principles as speakers? Because here, speech is habit. So how do we undo habits that hinder awakening our inner champion, embodying our own inner champion?

This past weekend, I had the privilege of addressing over 1,400 people and 120 trainers at a leadership event I conducted virtually for Tony Robbins in West Palm Beach. Once again, the theme of 'A Champion Does It Differently' resonated deeply, as these are people driven to do and be their best, yet unsure how. We discussed not just transmitting data, but communicating stories.

I expressed my desire to stop the revolving door of self-help and empowerment programs by empowering people to empower them Selves.

I tell every athlete in the first session, you bring talent to your sport, but someone has taught you every single thing you do. Without that training, your talent goes to waste.

I respond by asking, who teaches us to be ourselves? Only Vocal Awareness does. Only this work.

I explain to a champion that while you master your skills, when you leave the competitive field, you are no longer in Mastery. In Vocal Awareness, a crucial distinction about this level of Mastery is that there is no off switch.

Just as athletes learn the fundamental structure of their sport, in Vocal Awareness, this begins with stature.

Years ago, watching an Olympic 100-meter gold medalist celebrate his win and his world record time, he described his preparation and how he would gain an edge. When racing against the world's fastest people, the winner may only win by a couple of hundreds or a thousandth of a second. He recognized that his only opportunity was going to be at the start. Getting out of the blocks faster, quicker than anyone else. At the beginning of the race is how he won at the end of the race.

In Vocal Awareness, I consistently emphasize starting correctly, which begins with stature, rather than going through the motions. Champions do not merely go through the motions.

While in New York, I will meet on Wednesday with an editor, creating the first-ever broadcast training program in conjunction with CBS Sports, where I've created a Vocal Awareness training program that has never been taught at any other network before.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Vocal Awareness?

   • Vocal Awareness is a method developed to enhance communication effectiveness through mindful vocal exercises and techniques.

2. How does Vocal Awareness benefit athletes and broadcasters?

   • It helps in maintaining voice quality, enhancing presence, and improving articulation for clear communication.

3. Can Vocal Awareness be learned by anyone?

   • Of course, Vocal Awareness techniques are designed for individuals at all levels who seek to improve their communication skills.

4. What are some practical exercises in Vocal Awareness?

   • Exercises include understanding that everything begins with stature, breathing techniques, and vocal warm-ups tailored to reduce strain and improve clarity.

5. Is Vocal Awareness only for professional speakers?

   • No, it's beneficial for anyone looking to improve their voice quality and communication impact in various aspects of life.

Vocal Awareness stands as a transformative tool for enhancing Communication Mastery, whether in sports commentary, leadership, or everyday interactions. By embracing its principles, individuals can unlock their inner champion and achieve profound personal and professional growth.