Speaker, Leader, Champion by Ryan Avery Jeremey Donovan Summary
Overview of Speaker, Leader, Champion
From the World Champion of Public Speaking and a TED Talk expert comes the ultimate guide to commanding any room. Learn the secret techniques that transformed stammering novices into corporate stars - the same methods that can skyrocket your career through the power of persuasive communication.
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Key takeaways
When Fear Becomes Your Greatest Asset and the Foundation of Championship Speaking
Have you ever felt your heart pounding before a presentation, convinced everyone could see your hands trembling? Here's the truth most people miss: that fear isn't your enemy-it's rocket fuel. Survey after survey confirms that verbal communication determines who rises in organizations, yet most professionals never master it. The transformation isn't reserved for naturally gifted speakers. Ryan Avery was unemployed at 25; overnight after winning the World Championship of Public Speaking, he received 269 speaking offers. Jeremey Donovan evolved from an anxious engineer hiding in his cubicle to leading a 50-person global team. Their secret? A learnable system that turns nervous energy into commanding presence. What they discovered-and what this book reveals-is that championship speaking isn't about eliminating fear but channeling it into authentic connection. Every powerful speech begins with ruthless clarity about three elements: purpose, message, and impact. Think of these as your speech's DNA. Your purpose might be to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire-but here's what separates amateurs from champions: you must choose one. Lance Miller competed for 13 years before his breakthrough came from a single shift-he stopped asking "How do I showcase my skills?" and started asking "What have I learned that would make a difference in others' lives?" His winning speech about validation demonstrates this principle beautifully. He shared how a Los Angeles receptionist simultaneously validated his parking ticket and him as a person, transforming his entire perspective. This experience led him to validate his roommates (whom he affectionately called "Dumb and Dumber"), his critical girlfriend, and his demanding boss. The insight? Validating others made him important to them, turning obstacles into pathways. His core message crystallized into one sentence: "I will inspire my fellow Toastmasters to validate the goodness in others so that the world becomes a safer and more loving place." Notice how purpose (inspire), message (validate others), and impact (create a more loving world) align perfectly. Championship speeches function as seven-minute secular sermons centered on eternal truths-love, perseverance, mindfulness, compassion. These universal themes resonate because they connect to fundamental human experiences rather than temporary trends.
Architecture and Stories That Captivate Hearts Forever
The Strategic Use of Laughter and Emotional Journey
The Power of Simple Language and Rhetorical Excellence
Your Voice as an Instrument and the Silent Language of Presence
Practical Mastery: Technique Development and Performance Preparation
From Fear to Mastery: Your Speaking Journey Begins Now
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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