There are moments in life when you meet someone who will unknowingly shape your path.
For me, that person is Andrew Davis – a speaker, marketer, and all-around master of engagement – and he’s been my speaking mentor for the last year.
The funny part? He had no idea.
But let’s rewind to where it all started.
The Decision to Improve
February 2024: I made the decision—I wanted to become a better event speaker.
I’d spent plenty of time on stages and in front of cameras, but I knew I could do better. Have more impact. More connection. More energy. But I needed to refine my approach.
The Unexpected Influence
[Insert unknown date]: I attended an event where Andrew Davis was speaking about mastering AI and his creation, “Drewdini” (his AI counterpart, personal assistant, and collaborator).
Immediately after: I began following his tactics, and my life with ChatGPT became easier, faster, and way more beneficial—not just for me but also for DCM Communications and our clients.
Naturally, I subscribed to his newsletter and consumed every lesson and insight like a Labrador left alone with a pizza. (Read: voraciously.)
Putting the Lessons to Work
May – June 2024: I started implementing Andrew’s “be a more engaging speaker” lessons and reworked my keynotes. The pitching process began for my newly refined speaking formats.
October 2024: First speaking engagement confirmed ☑️
At this point, my thoughts echoed the title of my friend Julie Brown’s book: This Sh*T Works!
November 2024: Two more engagements confirmed ☑️ ☑️
January 2025: I found out Andrew would be speaking at the same conference I was in February.
The Moment of Truth
February 2025: I see him across the room.
I get a little nervous to go say hello.
Then I remember how good it feels when someone tells me that what I put out into the world has made a difference for them.
I push past the nerves and say, “Hi Andrew! I’m Channing.”
And… well, he didn’t tell me to go away. So that’s a win!
The Big Takeaways
➜ Pitch. Practice. Present. Perfect.
Every event won’t be flawless, but each one is a chance to improve. Pitch yourself. Practice beforehand. Present your best. Perfect the little things. Then do it all over again.
➜ Be vocal.
If you appreciate someone’s work, tell them! It takes guts to put yourself out there. If someone’s insights have helped you, let them know.
➜ Do it scared.
Walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation can make even the biggest extrovert hesitate. Take a deep breath and do it anyway. You’ll either meet someone awesome or walk away with a great story about that time you introduced yourself to [insert influential person here].
The journey to becoming a better speaker (or better at anything) is all about taking action, learning from the best, and pushing through the nerves. And sometimes, you even get to thank the people who helped you along the way—whether they knew it or not.
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