From Embarrassment to Excellence: My Most Humbling Speaking Lesson
- Marke Freeman
- Apr 17
- 6 min read
I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing moments on the mic.
In addition to keynote speaking, I’m also a sports broadcaster. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned—it’s that preparation is my superpower. I hang my hat on it. It’s where my confidence lives.
But even preparation couldn’t save me from this moment.
It was my very first time doing a live hit. For those who don’t know, a live hit is an on-camera report delivered live from the sidelines of a game or event—usually during a break in the action. My first one just happened to be at an NBA game: the Atlanta Hawks vs. the Toronto Raptors.I had prepared for weeks. Studied the rosters. Scripted my entire 90 second hit. Practiced in the mirror. I was ready. Or so I thought.
The moment the red light on the camera flashed—signaling we were live—I froze. My words got caught in my throat, and my thoughts were completely drowned out by the roar of thousands of fans. I tried to recover, but instead, I started rambling. I couldn’t land my point. I had no idea where I was going.
And just like that—it was over.
Cringe.
I stepped off camera mortified.
What just happened?
I knew the content. I had rehearsed it. I had written it all down word for word. But somehow—I still wasn’t ready.
Luckily, this was just a training assignment—not live television—so there’s no footage for the internet to dig up. And for those of you who are already searching… don’t bother. I won’t give you the satisfaction! 😅
But still—a very embarrassing way to find out that it’s not just about preparation, but how you prepare that determines your success and confidence.
Before I could marinate too long in the moment, my mentor LaChina approached me. She was there to give feedback—it was, after all, a development assignment through the Rising Media Stars program.
Seeing how overwhelmed I appeared, She comforted me and said,
“You're okay, Marke. That's just your first hit ever. You will have a chance to try again.”
Then she asked a question that changed everything:
“Did you script your live hit and try to go off memory?”
The answer was yes. 100% yes.
Then the statement that followed impacted how I prepare from that moment forward.
..."Experts Don’t Operate Off Memory—They Operate Off Structure"
That moment—and her advice—changed everything for me. This applies to live hits, keynote speaking, teaching, preaching, commencement speeches, radio, podcasting, pitching etc. It applicable in all forms of mass communications.
When you try to memorize your lines, your brain is focused on recall instead of delivery.
But when you know your content and have a solid structure, you can:
✅ Speak freely
✅ Adapt in real time
✅ Stay connected to the moment—no matter what’s happening around you
That one crash-and-burn moment taught me more than any perfect delivery ever could.
It reminded me that preparation isn’t about perfection—it’s about:
✨ Clarity
✨ Structure
✨ Presence
Structure Is the Secret Weapon
Clarity is currency. And if your message isn’t structured, your audience (whether in person or on live tv) won’t just tune out…
They’ll forget everything you said.
That’s why we teach The Power of 3 inside Speak Like a Pro Academy™.
Teach the Power of 3
Speak in 3 key ideas.
Understanding the Power of 3 helps speakers communicate with impact and clarity because the brain naturally processes information in patterns—three is memorable, manageable, and powerful. Which is something we teach in depth at the Speak Like A Pro Academy.
It keeps your message focused, makes it easier for your audience to retain, and creates a rhythm that resonates.
The Power of 3 also allows you to go in-depth as an expert, sharing information that is unknown by the masses—not just the surface-level details we all already know. When you structure your message in 3 powerful points, it gives you room to delve deeper, add insights, and share valuable knowledge that positions you as an authority.
But here's a key point:
When we go beyond 3 points of emphasis, we limit our ability to dive deep into each idea. Time restraints and the brain's natural ability to retain information after 3 main points make it harder for your audience to absorb everything you’re sharing. So, sticking to 3 impactful points allows you to not only deliver information with clarity but also go deeper into the substance that really matters.
A Simple Speaking Formula That Works
Want to sound more polished and professional—even under pressure?
Use this classic formula:
“Tell them what you're going to say. Say it. Tell them what you said.”
Here’s what that looks like in action:
1. Tell them what you're going to say:
"Today, I’m going to share why incorporating daily exercise into your routine is essential for your physical health, mental clarity, and long-term well-being."
2. Say it:
"First, exercise improves your physical health by strengthening your heart, muscles, and immune system. Second, it boosts your mental clarity—studies show just 30 minutes a day can enhance focus and reduce anxiety. Lastly, daily movement helps you build habits that contribute to long-term well-being, lowering your risk for chronic diseases."
3. Tell them what you said:
"So, to sum it up: daily exercise isn’t just about staying in shape. It’s about taking care of your body, sharpening your mind, and investing in your future."
How to Practice Like a Pro
🔁 Rehearse Multiple Times
Practice in various settings to simulate the actual environment:
Walking in the park
Driving in your car
In the shower
In front of the mirror to align verbal and physical delivery
Here’s a big pro tip: practice in casual conversation.
Your daily habits shape your development as a speaker more than you think.
Start eliminating filler words like “umm,” “you know what I’m saying,” or other habits that dilute your message.
Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes permanent.
🎥 Record Yourself
I know—it’s not everyone’s favorite.
But watching or listening to yourself will highlight areas where you can improve your pacing, clarity, and delivery.
First, listen to evaluate your pace and inflection.
Then watch to ensure your pauses match the emotion and your movements feel natural.
👂 Seek Feedback
Practice in front of a trusted friend or mentor.
Constructive feedback can reveal blind spots and help you grow faster than self-critiquing alone.
Closing
Even our most embarrassing moments can become our greatest teachers—if we’re willing to learn from them.
I learned that confidence doesn’t come from memorizing lines—it comes from truly knowing your content, building a strong structure, and practicing with intention.
So whether you're stepping on stage, presenting in a meeting, or speaking behind a mic, remember: it’s not just what you prepare—it’s how you prepare that determines your success.
Since that humbling moment, I’ve gone on to cover nationally broadcasted games as a sports broadcaster and speak in front of audiences of tens of thousands as a world-renowned keynote speaker.
Now, I want to equip you with the same tools to transform embarrassment into excellence—and speak with the confidence your message deserves.
🎤 Join me inside Speak Like a Pro Academy, where I’ll teach you the proven strategies to craft powerful messages, deliver with presence, and grow your influence as a speaker.
Your voice is powerful. Your story matters. And the world is ready to hear it.
🚀 Ready to Unlock Your Speaking Potential?
If this tip resonated with you, imagine what we could accomplish together in a live session!
Join me on Thursday, May 1 at 7pm CT / 8pm ET for my FREE Speak Like a Pro Webinar!
In this exclusive webinar, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the key principles of becoming a confident, captivating speaker. Whether your goal is to inspire, educate, or command any room, this is where your journey begins.
What you’ll gain from this session:
🎤 Five Actionable Strategies to sharpen your speaking skills and land lucrative speaking gigs
💼 The Ultimate Marketing Tool that will position you for high-paying speaking opportunities
📄 Essential Speaker Resources including a proven Presentation Outline, Speaker’s Agreement Template, and Potential Client Email Draft to start building or scale your speaking business. This isn't just another free training—this is your gateway to mastery as a speaker.
Transform your toughest moments into your greatest asset—just like I did.
It’s time to turn your potential into your superpower.
Marke Freeman
Founder, Speak Like a Pro Academy™
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