In this episode, I chat with Ita Olsen, one of the world’s leading authorities on speech and human communications. She coaches executives, entertainers, and even regular folks to improve their vocal skills and to become more effective and more persuasive in their interpersonal communication. If you hate hearing recordings of your own voice, or you find that people just don’t listen to you the way you’d like them to, this episode is for you!

Topics Covered:

• Why people are hesitant to learn communication skills
• How anxiety and stress negatively impact speech
• Don’t blame other people for not listening, take responsibility for getting your message across
• Using the voice as a tool for defusing conflict
• Why we instinctively don’t listen to people with unpleasant voices
• The process of learning better communication skills
• The impact of non-verbal communication: body language, facial expressions, etc.
• Defining the “pith” - the main point of whatever it is you’re trying to convey
• What made Bill Clinton a great communicator, and Hillary Clinton such a bad one
• Why women have to work a little harder than men to be understood
• Finding your optimum vocal pitch
• Helping children to learn public speaking and communication skills
• What causes “mouth noises” when speaking
• How to get started improving your own speech and communication skills

015 - Leadership Communication Skills

My guest today is David Amerland: journalist, author, consultant, five-time national British Taekwondo champion, technology guru, and spokeman for the Darebee online fitness initiative.

Topics Include


- What the Darebee project is, and how David got involved. 

- How Darebee is transforming fitness, socially, economically and philosophically.
- The importance of the coach/manager in fitness.

- How Darebee started as the work of founder Neila Rey, and grew into a major initiative.

- Darebee’s unconventional business model: no endorsements, no sponsorships, no ads, no fees. 

- How the core concept that “everyone matters” permeates Darebee.

- The issue of motivation for exercise, and how technology, community and “RPG Fitness” can help.

- The structure of Darebee workouts, programs, and challenges.

- How developing mental strength in one area carries over into other areas. 

- The idea that fitness is a multi-layered journey, not a destination.

- The science behind bodyweight training vs. weight training.

- Darebee’s data-driven approach to fitness and nutrition.

- Inclusive fitness vs. status-driven fitness.

- The welcoming, supporting nature of the Darebee community. 

- Replacing the “RICE” model of injury treatment.

- How contemporary data analysis tools are changing our expectations and approach to health.

- Integrating physical and mental fitness (“sound mind in a sound body”).

- David’s upcoming book, for which he interviewed 100 snipers. 

- Determining when enough is enough in terms of fitness training.

- Why continuous improvement and effort is more important than specific achievements. 

- Expanding the Darebee-type of initiative into other societal areas.

016 - Using Technology To Transform Fitness

I like to make things simple enough for me to understand. On this podcast, I talk to people who do that too.

Breathe Slower

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