luate and improve your performance as a keynote speaker. Drawing on his experience as a professional athlete and $25,000-per-keynote speaker, Anthony shares valuable insights on how to watch and critique your performance to keep leveling up on stage.

Whether you're an aspiring speaker or already established, Anthony walks through a process that allows you to analyze your presentations and adjust for success. By treating your speaking engagements like game film, just as athletes do, you can develop a structure to ensure each performance is better than the last.

Key Segments:

• [00:00] The Importance of Self-Evaluation

• • Anthony opens by discussing the value of watching and analyzing your own keynote performances, just like athletes do with game film. He explains how this approach can help you identify areas for improvement and boost your confidence on stage.

• [02:00] Developing Your Keynote Starting Point

• • One of the most critical parts of any presentation is how you start. Anthony shares tips on how to capture the audience’s attention early and set the tone for the rest of the keynote.

• [06:00] Mastering Vocal Tone and Energy

• • Controlling the tonality of your voice and managing the energy in the room is key to keeping your audience engaged. Anthony discusses the importance of vocal variety and how to maintain a strong presence on stage.

• [10:00] Telling Stories, Not Just Stating Facts

• • Effective storytelling is essential to delivering a memorable keynote. Anthony explains how to bring your stories to life and immerse your audience in the narrative.

• [14:00] Closing Like a Pro

• • Anthony wraps up by emphasizing the importance of closing your keynote with a powerful ending. He discusses how to ensure your audience knows when the talk is over and leaves them excited for more.

Key Quotes:

• [01:30] "Film is the key to getting better, not just for tendencies of others, but for yourself."

• [09:10] "Your voice is a tool — use it properly to create emotion and move your audience."

How to Connect with Anthony Trucks:

• Website: Speak to Freedom

• Instagram: Anthony Trucks

• Linkedin: Anthony Truck

Tune in Next Time

That wraps up today’s episode of the Speak to Freedom podcast! If you’re serious about leveling up your speaking game and want more insights, be sure to check out our coaching programs at Speak to Freedom. Thank you for tuning in — we’ll see you in the next episode!

Welcome back to the Speak to Freedom podcast! In today’s solo episode, Anthony Trucks, founder of the Speak to Freedom Coaching Company, breaks down the secrets to creating a speaker reel that gets you booked for high-paying gigs. If you’ve ever wondered how to craft a reel that commands attention and lands you $25,000 keynotes, this episode is packed with insights on how to do just that.

Anthony shares his personal journey, from near-misses on lucrative speaking opportunities to nailing down the strategies that finally secured him the bookings he deserved. This episode covers everything from the importance of storytelling to structuring your reel in a way that communicates value and drives results.

Key Segments:

• [01:00] Introduction to Building a Powerful Speaker Reel

• • Anthony introduces the concept of creating a speaker reel that gets you booked for high-value speaking engagements. He also shares his background and how his company helps aspiring speakers through coaching and consulting.

• [03:00] Learning from Failure: The T-Mobile Experience

• • Anthony recounts a missed opportunity with T-Mobile and the feedback he received, highlighting the importance of clear messaging and storytelling in your reel to help potential clients understand your value.

• [06:20] The Importance of Storytelling in Your Speaker Reel

• • Your reel shouldn’t just be a highlight reel. It needs to tell a story. Anthony introduces the idea of a "story reel," walking through the structure of a compelling narrative that showcases both your message and why your audience needs to hear it.

• [08:34] Practical Steps for Crafting a Storyboard

• • Anthony outlines the steps to create an effective storyboard for your reel, using principles from Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey to develop a flow that engages viewers and leaves a lasting impact.

• [14:45] Delivering Key Moments with Multiple Soundbites

• • From on-stage clips to podcasts and voiceovers, Anthony provides tips on how to gather and use soundbites effectively to enhance the emotional journey of your reel.

• [17:00] Success Story: Landing a $25,000 Booking

• • Anthony shares how his revamped speaker reel helped him secure a $25,000 keynote with T-Mobile and ultimately become their highest-rated speaker, underscoring the power of a well-crafted reel.

Key Quotes:

• [05:25] "Your reel isn’t just about looking good on stage. If it doesn’t tell your story and clearly communicate your message, it’s worthless."

• [13:50] "Think of your reel as a journey — it should take your audience from understanding your story to seeing why they need you in front of their people."

How to Connect with Anthony Trucks:

• Website: Speak to Freedom

Tune in Next Time

That wraps up this episode of the Speak to Freedom podcast! If you’re ready to take your speaking career to the next level, check out our coaching programs and start building a speaker reel that gets you booked. Thank you for tuning in today — we’ll see you in the next episode!

Welcome back to the Speak to Freedom podcast! Today, we have an incredible guest, Coach AK Ikwuakor, joining us. Coach AK is a speaker, coach, and consultant who has worked with major companies like Google, run nonprofits globally, and developed workshops for businesses across the world. His vast experience in life and business makes him an inspiring figure for anyone wanting to improve both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Coach AK dives into his journey, sharing how he transitioned into speaking, his philosophy on making an impact, and the systems he developed to build a successful speaking career. Whether you're an aspiring speaker or just someone looking to grow, Coach AK offers actionable insights and wisdom on how to create lasting change in yourself and others.

[1:20] Coach AK, if someone asked you what you do, how would you respond?

"I'm a speaker, coach, and consultant who helps individuals and organizations unlock their potential. I believe in the power of storytelling and connecting with people on a deep level. Over the years, I’ve developed systems that allow people to excel, whether in business, sports, or personal development."

[4:59] How do you manage consistency, speaking at 60 events a year?

"It’s all about creating systems. I streamline the friction by scheduling time to plan out topics, refine my processes, and minimize mental load. This allows me to focus on delivering quality, even when I don’t feel like it. Over time, consistency becomes second nature."

[6:36] How did you discover the importance of branding yourself as a speaker?

"It didn’t come overnight. I realized that after delivering a great talk, something needed to be talking about me when I wasn’t in the room. That’s when I started focusing on branding and marketing, understanding that being good on stage is only half the battle. The other half is ensuring people know who you are."

[10:12] What’s the secret to telling powerful stories on stage?

"Practice. I’ve spent years learning how to speak extemporaneously and connect with audiences. It’s about understanding the message and then letting the story unfold naturally. Over time, storytelling becomes a part of who you are, not something you have to think about."

[23:54] What drives you to keep pushing boundaries in your career?

"For me, it’s about weighing the cost of inaction. Every time I hesitate to take action, I remind myself that not doing something can be even more costly than failure. That’s what pushes me to move forward, even when it’s uncomfortable."

Key Quotes:

• [6:52] "Being good on stage is only half the battle. The other half is ensuring people know who you are."

• [10:07] "You become the stories you tell, and those stories need to resonate with your audience."

How to Connect with Coach AK Ikwuakor:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akikwuakor/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ak.ikwuakor/

• Website:https://akikwuakor.com/

Tune in Next Time

That’s a wrap for today’s episode of the Speak to Freedom podcast. If you enjoyed our conversation with Coach AK Ikwuakor, be sure to subscribe and check out his work. Visit speaktofreedom.com for more information about our speaking programs. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you in the next episode!