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In this bonus episode, Speaker, coach, and Next Level University CEO Alan Lazaros joins Lauri for a raw, high-voltage conversation about fear, intensity, and the courage to be “too much.” From a high-school speech panic (and a hypnotist’s snowboard hack) to a near-fatal car crash at 26 that turned a career into a calling, Alan traces the inner rewiring that let him own his truth on stage and in life. They unpack the peak-performance “Goldilocks zone,” why “slow down” isn’t always smart advice, how shame hides at both ends of the bell curve, and why accurate thinking—not people-pleasing—creates real impact. If you’ve ever been told to be less, this episode invites you to be true.

Takeaways
1. Your sweet spot isn’t “calm on the couch”—it’s alive, engaged, and just-challenging-enough.
2. Early speaking anxiety can be reframed: pair fear with a domain where you feel powerful (Alan used snowboarding via hypnosis).
3. Being “too much” is often code for “you’re triggering the status quo.” Own it with discernment, not apology.
4. A career becomes a calling the moment you stop diluting yourself to fit in.
5. Alcohol (and other numbing) can mute a future-oriented brain to “blend”—notice what you’re dampening.
6. Boundaries require recalibrating your “respect Richter scale,” especially after chaotic upbringings.
7. Principles beat templates: pauses, tone, story—apply them to your unique style, not someone else’s.
8. Truth vs. social performance: accurate thinking liberates your voice and your life.
9. Shame clusters at the edges of the bell curve; compassion + honesty dissolves it.

Soul Sucker Quiz

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https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

The Speaker Alter Ego Quiz

Take the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!

https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/

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