Leading you out episode 004 the power of a proper introduction

Hello again

I know its been longer than either of us would have liked, but I’m back with another podcast and accompanying blog post. This time, I want to share about my experiences with being introduced on the various radio shows and what I’ve learned from them.

Like before, I will give you the option of receiving my thoughts in whatever format works best for you. So, there is video, audio, or text.

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I have been blessed to appear on quite a few radio shows. And many of the hosts have gone out of their way to give me a proper introduction. They will read my about me and media kit pages. They will check out some of my past shows on the as seen online page. And then on the day of the show I am always struck by how impressive my introduction is.

I don’t say this to brag but as a way of making an observation. In my mind I know that I have accomplished a lot in my life especially in the past few years. I know the achievements, but that’s not the same as hearing someone else recite them or make a comment about them. Its similar to taking stock and counting your blessings, but its different too.

Its like the fact that someone else has looked over your life and decided to say these things about you and your accomplishments that seems to validate the whole process in a way that doesn’t happen when you do it for yourself. So, I got to thinking maybe everyone needs to be introduced and have an introduction.

Think about it for a minute. When you watch or attend a boxing match, a wrestling show, or attend the circus there people whose job it is to give the stars a big build up. They are there to give the heroes a boost, to remind the crowd to boo the villains, and warn you just how death defying the next act will be.

A great intro

I had this thought while doing the Join Up Dots Show with David Ralph. He made a couple of remarks in his intro of me that caught my attention to the point that we started our interview talking about his introduction. He referred to me as the blind terminator because I keep going never letting any obstacle deter me from continuing on my path to success. As a former carnival owner who likes to think of himself as a showman I loved this line.

Later in our interview he commented on how my life in the family carnival prepared me well for running my own business. He likened my experience there to having a PHD in hustle and muscle. I now use that line along with the addition that my degree is from the university of life.

So let’s use wrestling as an example. I grew up a big fan and have followed most of the professional wrestling companies starting with Houston’s very own Paul Bosh Pro Championship Wrestling. And since I will be mentioning mostly well known personalities as examples, I’m sure you will be able to see my point.

Ring announcers

First, they have someone to give them a professional rehearsed introduction. In the early days it was Harvey Finkelstein. Later at the major events it would be Michael Buffer and his Iconic Let’s get ready to rumble. Now days Lillian Garcia is the top name at this job. I also love her because she has a great singing voice and has recorded professionally.

The ring announcer will list off the wrestler’s name, weight, home town, and any monikers he or she is known by. The introduction is issued in a loud voice with lots of emphasis on the person’s name. The crowd definitely knows whether they are supposed to cheer for or against someone just by the tone and body language of the ring announcer.

Names and monikers

Some of my favorite personality names and monikers are the nature boy and the dirtiest player in the game Rick Flair. There has been the great one the people’s champ the most electrifying man in sports entertainment the rock. There is the game the cerebral assassin the king of kings triple h. and a houstonian who has been introduced from death valley houston and parts unknown at different points of his career was the Phenom the dead man the undertaker.

Music smoke and pyrotechnics

Also, they have loud theme music play when they enter. And this too along with pyrotechnics helps the fans have a idea of what to expect from who. Daniel Bryant and under sized wrestler who has been champ a few times comes out to ride of the valkyrie. its obvious that he can and will often overcome his size and win the match. Rick Flair comes out to the theme from 2001. And even though he doesn’t wrestle any more just hearing that music will get the fans going. They appreciate what it has meant over Rick’s career. And another home grown favorite Stone Cold Steve Austin used to come out to glass breaking. And again even now that sound will make fans go nuts.

Catch Phrases

The stars all have catch phrases and often the move they use to win matches will be associated with them. John Cena, who I love, has two. On his shirts they all say hustle loyalty respect. And when he has the mike he will usually end if you want some come and get some. The rock, or duane Johnson as he is known more widely by now thanks to the movies; used to tell people just bring it. Bret the hit man Heart used to say he was the best there is the best there ever was and the best there ever will be. And as much as I really didn’t care for him Hulk Hogan is famous around the world for saying what ya gonna do brother when Hulkamania runs wild on you.

Lesson for today

I appreciate you tolerating my using wrestling as a metafore. I understand many opera stars also follow the sport, but I don’t personally have examples from boxing, opera, or the circus. I do believe that having someone introduce you is a great gratitude experience. It gives you the ability to take stock and appreciate all that you have accomplished and overcome without it seeming like bragging.

So, I want you to think about what you would put in your own introduction. What music would you come out to? Would you have fireworks or not? Would you wear a cape, a mask, face paint, etc? What would your catch phrase be, and what would you have the ring announcer say about you? This is a fun exercise that I think can really help your self esteem.

My ring intro

I’ll go first. I’ve always been the good kid mostly doing what I was supposed to when I was supposed to. So, deep down I would love the opportunity to be a little wild. So, I’m thinking for my music bad to the bone by George Thorogood or Sharp Dressed Man by Houston’s own Z Z Top. I could see that one now that I’ve lost the weight and people are starting to say I am handsome even sexy. Yep, I could come out to Sharp Dressed Man and wrestle in trunks a dress shirt and tie like Irwin R Shyster.

As for the rest would love to have fireworks go off when I walk down the ramp. And I can almost hear them saying from Houston Texas weighing in at 255 pounds holding a doctorate in hustle and muscle from the university of life where he is now a traveling professor in getting off the couch and into the world. He radiates positivity. You can’t not be inspired by his life affirming message of do what you can today and do more or do it better tomorrow. He has never heard a question he was afraid to ask. And if he gets his finishing move on you known as the answer the match is all over.

Like I said its fun. But you may find some nuggets of personal wisdom you can use in your life by doing the exercise. I hope you will give it a try and share your answers with me in the comments. If you are embarrassed to join in, then you can always email me your intro.

Sharing is caring

I enjoyed recording this episode. I lost a little steam at the end but chose to accept that it was still a good effort. I’m talking about the video and audio here. But this week on face book I read a post by a guy who was having trouble pressing send on his first episode. So, I thought that if I really meant what I tell people I should be willing to post my own flawed work.

So, please share this post with your friends and family. Please click the buttons and send it out on your social media networks. I know the power that can be felt by someone struggling when they see that someone else took the chance and pressed publish even when they thought their work might not be the best they have ever don. Its still a good post, and the message is important. And I want to thank you in advance for continuing to support me by reading my posts, watching my videos, listening to my podcast, leaving comments, and sharing online. I couldn’t keep doing this without you.

Well, that’s it for this time. I hope you enjoyed it. More importantly I hope you got something out of it. If you have questions, feel free to send me a message. And if you are ready to finally take some action towards accomplishing that big goal in your life, click the coaching link.

Until next time thanks so much, God bless you and take care out there, Max