Reclaiming Your Authentic Voice: Where Stage Presence Meets Inner Power
There's a moment every performer knows well: standing in the wings, heart racing, about to step into the spotlight. I remember standing backstage lightly humming before I’d step out into that bright spotlight. Nerves racing. I’d remind myself to simply tell the story.
In the theater world, we often say, "The more specific you are, the more universal you become." This same principle applies to your authentic voice. The specificity however, is your truth, the real you. Yet many storytellers and speakers make the mistake of trying to sound like someone else – more professional, more polished, more perfect. The result? They end up sounding like a robot. And that is truly that very last thing we want these days. The more AI takes over our culture the more important your natural, real voice becomes. Gone are the days of sounding like a newscaster on any stage- even the news!
Let me share something we rarely talk about in professional speaking circles: your voice is intimately connected to your breath. Not only have I learned this from theater but from my years of teaching pranayama (breath work).
What is I told you that in less than 7 seconds someone has already made a decision about you and if you are worth listening to?
Experiments by Princeton researchers suggest that people can make accurate judgments of others within 1/10 of a second. 1/10 of a second!!!
That is directly related to your control of your breath.
Breaking Through Vocal Blocks
You aren’t alone. Most speakers face some barrier to their authentic voice. And yes, the minute you open your mouth your audience hears your deeper emotions and thoughts- even subconsciously.
Let me share a few examples. Which one best describes you?
When you’'re seeking approval, your voice tightens, your breath becomes shallow, and your words lose their power. You are like Annie Approval screaming “Like me, like me, like me!” without even realizing you’re doing it. The solution isn't to ignore the need for approval, but to redirect it: focus on serving rather than pleasing.
Ernie Expert
Sometimes, the more expertise you gain, the further you get from our authentic voice. If you’re like Ernie Expert you hide behind jargon and formality. Expertise doesn't require pretense. Remind yourself to speak like talking to someone you love.
Patty Perfectionist
For you Patty Perfectionists out there the pursuit of perfect delivery often leads to an artificial presentation. Guess what? Your authentic voice includes your unique rhythm, your natural pauses, even your occasional stumbles. On stage it’s about being in the actual moment. Not the perfect one.
So how do you control this breath and get ahold of the emotional life that lies underneath?
Practical Techniques for Owning Your Voice
1. The Broadway Warmup
Start with these theater-tested techniques:
Roll your shoulders back and down
Take three deep belly breaths
Hum on a single note, feeling the vibration
Neigh like a horse. Sing some scales
Speak a simple phrase with different emotions
2. The Impact Method
Incorporate these meditation-inspired practices:
Begin with two minutes of breath awareness
Notice where you hold tension when speaking
Practice speaking with your eyes closed
Record yourself speaking naturally about something you love
Practice pranayama (breath work practice)
Try the Powerful 3's pranayama (breathwork) practice video HERE
Integration
Bring it all together with:
Speak from your body, not just your head
Allow pauses for breath and emphasis
Let your emotion color your voice
Trust the power of simplicity. Trust YOURSELF.
Your Voice in Action
The true test of authentic voice comes in real-world application. This requires regulating the nervous system. The best way I have found to do so is by expressing your truth is in stages.
The Impact of Authentic Voice
When you speak with your authentic voice:
Audiences trust you more deeply
Your message lands more powerfully
You experience less speaking anxiety
Your impact becomes more meaningful
Moving Forward
Reclaiming your authentic voice is not a destination but a journey. It's about peeling away the layers of who you think you should be to reveal who you truly are.
Your authentic voice isn't something you create – it's something you uncover. It's already there, waiting to be expressed.
Ready to dive deeper into connecting with your authentic voice?
Book a free Strategy call HERE to get started.
