What an Olympic Athlete Can Teach You About Powerful Speaking

What does it really take to speak so people listen in meetings, on stage, and in high-stakes moments?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Deborah Gardner, former Olympic trial swimmer turned renowned keynote speaker and Hall of Fame inductee, to talk about how women can lead through confident, compelling communication.

Deborah breaks down the myths of “professionalism,” shares practical tools for handling confrontation, and helps us rethink what powerful presence actually means.

Whether you’re pitching, presenting, or speaking up for yourself, this conversation is your permission to stop diluting your voice and start owning the room.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to speak up with clarity and presence

• Why female professionals often underplay their ideas (and how to stop)

• Tactics for reframing fear into fuel before a big talk

• How to balance warmth with authority

• How to overcome imposter syndrome in high-stakes rooms

Deborah Gardner is a Certified Meeting Professional, entrepreneur, and the author of six bestselling books. Named Mrs. Arizona 2020 and Mrs. America 2022, Deborah has been recognized as a CNN Top 75 Keynote Speaker, one of Smart Meetings’ Top 50 Smart Women Leaders, and a Top 20 Trendsetter by Meetings Today.

Learn more about Deborah at https://iamdeborahg.com/

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome + Meet Deborah Gardner

03:10 – How sports shaped her mindset and grit

06:45 – Why women struggle to speak with authority

11:20 – What people misunderstand about professional communication

15:00 – Speaking tips for introverts

18:33 – How to stop over-explaining your ideas

21:58 – Pre-speech mindset: What Deborah does before every keynote

25:42 – Navigating conflict with confidence

29:10 – The mindset that helps her walk into any room

34:15 – How to make people feel heard without shrinking yourself

39:40 – Her advice to the next generation of female leaders

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🌐 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

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