When most people think of professional wrestling, the mind begins to conjure up many and various images. Many of us see huge hulking people throwing themselves around in a square elevated cage; but we do not typically think of public speaking. We might imagine great hair, greasy hair, wet hair, dreadlocked hair and no hair; but we do not typically imagine public speaking. We might even visualize these gigantic athletes in spandex that is, at minimum, three sizes too small (I shudder at the thought); but we do not typically visualize public speaking.
Oddly enough, it was from watching professional wrestling that I began to develop sense of awareness about public speaking as well. The connection was not immediately clear since I watched professional wrestling as a child. Now that I am older, I can see a direct correlation.
I was typically intrigued by the dichotomy that existed between a wrestler’s public personality and his private persona. On camera they were oozing with machismo and bravado. I would then pick up a wrestling magazine and read the articles and find these men to be mostly humble and down to earth. One of my favorite wrestlers was Brett “The Hitman” Hart. During his numerous public interviews Brett would typically leave his fans with the following: “I am the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be.” Talk about self-confidence!
Now at this point you may be wondering, “What is the connection between professional wrestling and public speaking?!” Before we explore this link let us take a look at the 3 main types of communication.
The first type of communication is “Interpersonal Communication.” Interpersonal communication is our daily conversations. Perhaps we chat with our spouse; maybe we have a short talk with our co-workers; how about the witty banter we have with our close friends; conceivably you may have to do a presentation to one of your favorite organizations that focuses on self-development via public speaking (TI anyone?). We are honing our interpersonal communication skills at Toastmasters.
Do you ever talk to animals? No, not the way Dr. Doolittle does! Have you ever had a conversation with any of your plants? I cannot speak for you, but on more than one occasion I have had to have a heartfelt tête-à-tête with my car. Most of these one sided tirades take place when the temperature is well below zero degrees and I am running late for work. “Please just start this one time. I promise I will fill you up next time with the premium gasoline.” Surely, I am the only one that has gone through this! All of that is an example of our second type of communication, “Extrapersonal Communication.” Simply put, it is us communication with inanimate objects (teenagers not included).
Our final type of communication is "Interpersonal Communication." This is how we communicate with ourselves. These are the thoughts that permeate our minds when all around us is still. In addition, an unknown author once said:
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
~Author Unknown
How powerful then are our own thoughts? If you believe that, you are going to fail—then guess what you are probably right. If you think that when you have to get behind the podium and speak to your fellow Toastmasters that you are going to stumble and sprinkle superfluous “ahs” and “ums” throughout your speech like confetti at a Yankees ticker tape parade—then guess what, you will.
How about for a change, before we go to deliver our next speech or table topic, we instead of think of all of the ‘bad’ things that can happen we instead focus on all the good that will come from it. Focus on being able to clearly convey your point about leading an overscheduled life. Focus on sharing your message on how small changes can have a great impact during this recession. Focus on the fact that your funny, lighthearted speech will bring a smile to someone that had a rough day at work.
All of this begins with how we talk to ourselves—our interpersonal communication. Personally, I do not use this exclusively at Toastmasters; this is a part of my daily being. I wake up and begin thinking powerful thoughts, giving myself positive reinforcement.
Sometimes we may have to step outside of ourselves much as if professional wrestlers do. Wrestlers have their private selves and their public personas, which they are and the character the television wants them to be. Periodically, we have to 
separate who we are from who we want to be.
Before I get up to speak I like to remind myself, “I am the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.” That statement is as powerful as being hit by a headbutt and not nearly as embarrassing as being hit by a butthead!
Therefore, when it comes to the three types of communication interpersonal, extrapersonal and intrapersonal we have to continue to perfect our interpersonal and extrapersonal communication skills. I also believe that our intrapersonal communication skills are just as important as those I mentioned earlier.
