IAM811- Communication Coach Guides People on Gaining Confidence

Intro 0:02
Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you’ve come to the right place, Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you’re in search of. This is the I am CEO podcast.

Gresham Harkless 0:29
Hello, hello. Hello, this is Greg from the I am CEO podcast and have a very special guest on the show today. Have Rene Marino of master communicators Rene. It's awesome. have you on the show?

Renée Lopez-Calleja 0:38
Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here. Gresh

Gresham Harkless 0:41
no problem. Super excited to have you on and before we jumped in and want to read a little bit more about all the awesome things that Renee is doing so that you can learn a little bit more about her. And Renee is a communications coach who has been recognized by heavy hitters, Tony Robbins and Dean grassy Ozzie for her dynamic energy and her ability to serve. She was a guest on the dean grassy azeez podcast the dean grassy as a show and was handpicked by Tony Robbins when she won a trip to his private resort in Fiji for her commitment and his comeback challenge. Renee helps to guide women and men to own their power and gain confidence in themselves and clarity in their relationships by becoming comfortable with authentic communication and merging the two worlds of new school technology with old school simplicity. She has been seen as Mary Delgado in the film Jersey Boys directed by Clint Eastwood and was featured in people's as ones to watch variety and envy. Huffington Post, Rene, are you ready to speak to the imcl? community?

Renée Lopez-Calleja 1:37
Yes, let's do it. Hello, community. Let's

Gresham Harkless 1:39
do it. So to kick everything off, I wanted to kind of rewind the clock a little bit here a little bit more how you got started? Could you take us through your SEO story, what led you get started with all the awesomeness

Renée Lopez-Calleja 1:48
you're working on words, of course. So I have had the honor for, you know, over 17 years of being a professional actress on Broadway, in film and television. And during that time, I realized that my highest of highs and my lowest of lows have all been due to communication. And it's funny, right? Because as a performer, you're in front of audiences, you're on stages, and essentially, you know, your body is your tool. So I have been communicating on a high high level for my entire life. And growing up as an Italian American girl from New Jersey and a very close knit family, you know, we'd sit around the kitchen table, and talk and eat. And I've realized that, you know, being a great communicator has kind of been ingrained in me. And as a performer, I started to see this pattern of, you know, friends and co workers running into problems in their relationships because of lack of communication. And I would always find myself giving advice and talking about things like, Well, did you talk to the person when you had an issue with them? And you'd think that that's a really simple kind of foundational question. But oftentimes, the answer would be like, Well, no. And I'm like, Wait a second,

Gresham Harkless 3:03
I never thought of them, like happy to solve this problem. So I was doing pretty woman on Broadway last year, and I began writing a book on becoming a master communicator. And I just, you know, in my gut instinct, I was like, there's a book in this. And writing has been, you know, one of my greatest gifts and passions, and I was like, I'm going to do it. So once that show closed over a year ago, in August, I knew that I kind of wanted to, you know, flip the the next page and start a new chapter in my life, and I knew that it had to do with communication. And, you know, I was kind of thinking, I think it's going to be in coaching, but I don't know the first thing about how to start a business, run a business. And then I came across Tony Robbins and Dean graziosi on a live video talking about this amazing program called KBB, the knowledge broker blueprint. And after I watched the video, my husband was like, this is it. This is the missing piece of what you said, You've needed to kind of start this business you need to structure and through that course, I just, I was like, this is it. This is what I'm doing. I am a communication coach. And it's funny Gresh because I've really been doing it my whole life. Right? Like oftentimes the things that are our superpower are what we do so naturally and talking about communication and living good communication is who I am. So this kind of just feels like a natural progression. And it's been amazing. I love it so much. I have my coaching clients one on one I teach this amazing course called communication on camera, where I help people gain the tools and the confidence to get on video and feel comfortable. And it's just been a really, really beautiful journey.

Gresham Harkless 4:43
Yeah, definitely sounds like an absolutely love that and especially as you talked about so many times we're looking for our gift or zona genius, our superpower as you said, and a lot of times is right in front of us and often is things that we overlook because we do it so naturally it comes so well that we don't realize But until we talk to other people that, hey, this is something you really do well, so why don't you start to pursue that? So I love that you you went forward and and started to sharpen that saw even more.

Renée Lopez-Calleja 5:08
Yeah, for sure for sure.

Gresham Harkless 5:10
Awesome. So I know you touched a bit a little bit on on the programs that you have, could you take us through a little bit more on different ways that you help support those clients that you have?

Renée Lopez-Calleja 5:16
Sure, sure. So I, I love people like like, that's like, first and foremost, I love my clients so much I love to be able to serve. And, you know, I help these wonderful women, wonderful men who, you know, oftentimes are just kind of lacking in that department of authentic communication. Maybe they were brought up in families, you know that that communication wasn't an open territory. So when it comes to their personal relationships, their business relationships, they kind of don't have that ability to step up and kind of say, Hey, this is what I was thinking, I have this great idea, or I'd like to talk to you about something, you know, I felt a bit of a disconnect, can we talk about it? Sometimes that seems like, oh, that that'd be easy to do. But it's not easy for everyone. So I help to guide these men and women to find what their limiting beliefs are, that are holding them back from being able to communicate on this clear and strong level. So in my camera course, which has been so fun, I'm teaching it again, actually, tomorrow. It's a live like two hour workshop. And I really just, it's like a one on one amazing course that just helps you to be able to make a live video, you know, whether on Facebook or Instagram, or a standard video that you're going to post later for your website. But to be able to do it in a way where you're able to really bring your most authentic self. So many people fear that right? They're like camera, oh, my God, and they freeze up. But it's like, Oh, right, they don't know what to say or do. So I help kind of let all of that go. And just, like get real and understand how to just make it a real conversation. Even though it's odd, right, we're talking to a screen, but kind of putting that aside and being able to bring your real self to those videos. So it's been incredible. And in addition to that, I just finished the second draft of the book. So we're getting that up and going baby. Yeah, yeah, so that's gonna, you know, be published soon. So yeah, there's a lot of wonderful things in the works

Gresham Harkless 7:25
nice. Absolutely love that. And I love how, you know, you kind of talked about how that communication piece manifests itself in so many different ways. Because we did in the beginning, you know, when we were telling us your story, you talked about how sometimes those lack of communication skills, I guess you can say, sometimes can prohibit somebody from reaching their next level from, you know, having a really strong relationship foundation from being able to communicate online, all those different things. And I love how that foundation manifests itself in so many different ways.

Renée Lopez-Calleja 7:51
Totally. And you know, Gresh, so many of us get held back in our lives, from like, amazing opportunities. As as you said, in the beginning of May, introduction, I had the honor of being on Dean grazioso podcast, as you know, he, I had a great interview with him. And we talked all about that. And the title of the podcast is how to avoid missing opportunities. Because in my life, you know, if we had lots more time to chat, but, you know, one of the best greatest experiences of my life, I gained that opportunity, because I had the ability to open up my mouth, you know, and speak about what I wanted in a clear and warm, direct way. And because of that, I was able to have one of the best opportunities of my life starting as Mary Delgado in clinics with Jersey Boys like this, the story is incredible. But that all came down to communication. And so often I see friends I see, you know, co workers have these missed opportunities where they just want to keep to themselves, because if they just said something, or if they just sent that email, or if they just had a face to face talk, they could have made it happen for themselves. And I just That to me is one of the greatest disappointments when you know that you could have had an opportunity but you didn't because of your own doing. And you know, life can be hard enough right? Like life in itself, we have things that we deal with, but why add fuel to the fire by being the person who is controlling the situation sometimes and not giving yourself the opportunity you deserve.

Gresham Harkless 9:29
I wanted to switch gears a little bit and I want to ask you for what I call a SEO hack. So this could be like an app or book or habit that you have but what's something that makes you more effective?

Renée Lopez-Calleja 9:39
Let me tell you my friend I have started it has been almost two months now. priming, so it's something Tony Robbins talks about. And I recently did you pw his first virtual event unleash the power within literally game changing like life changing. It was everything. And he taught us about pricing. And I've started doing it now since. So that was what October? Like 16th? Mm. I've been doing up to I'm not not October. I just lied to July. Hello. Yeah. I said October because then his next event is in November. Okay. Yeah. So I been doing it for like, almost two months now. And it has been so wonderful. It's basically all about starting your day off with complete gratitude, right? And reminding yourself of all the things like, you know, you start out saying like, right, what are the three things you're grateful for? You know, you first do a little breathing technique. And then it's like three things you're grateful for? And that seems so like, oh, everyone talks about gratitude. It's like, No, no, no, there is no under estimating the power of gratitude. And that just gratitude, but reminding yourself, the things that you have done or experienced that make you feel otter gratitude, because we often forget them. Again, in the human mind, we are so focused on like, what we need to do and to get and to achieve, that we sometimes forget about all the things we've already done and achieved and lived through. So by really honing in on that, like, first thing after you wake up, sets your day on such a beautiful footing. And that's not just you know, it's like a 15 minute process. But after you're done, like, I'm not gonna like all of you out there this morning, I did it. I like ended up in tears. I was like, Yes, this is my time, baby. This is our time, like just in tears, that feeling of complete freedom. And that, to me is a CEO, hack, my friends, because if you can start from there, think about all that you can achieve the rest of your day.

Gresham Harkless 11:50
I love that hack. And now I want to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And this could be a word of wisdom or piece of advice could be around communication. Or if you happen to a time machine, you might tell your younger business, Oh,

Renée Lopez-Calleja 12:00
I love to use this phrase, with with my clients. And it is the juice is in the journey. And what does that mean? Right? It means that we are often so focused on a destination or a goal, or, and that's wonderful, right? That's part of it. That's part of like self development, becoming a master communicator, as I say, that's so important. But it's also and Tony Robbins talks about this a lot. It's who you become on the way to achieving that goal. Because the juice of our lives is in the journey, the ups the downs. Like I believe I wouldn't be as effective as a communication coach, if I didn't go through all of the things that I've been through in my own life. Because I believe we connect with others the most, when we are so honest, in what we've gone through. And I posted this quote recently, and it basically said, the parts of ourselves that we want to hide away from the most or that we're ashamed of, we don't want to talk about those are the parts of ourselves that connect us to each other the most. Right? And it's like, for me when I hear someone just like, so vulnerable, so honest, like automatically I feel connected to that person. Because that's real. We're all human beings. And we're in this day and age of Instagram, social media filters, you know, where everything is just a highlight reel, that when you find that vulnerability, and you you meet a person that's so real from from a raw place, you're like, Wow, now that's who I want to learn from, because if that person went through a, b, and c, and they got to their destination, hell, that means I can do and instead of stressing ourselves out everybody along the journey, when things don't go right, when we come up against walls, instead of, you know, getting really frustrated and upset with ourselves, remind ourselves, the juice is in the journey. These moments I'm going through right now, later on, are going to make me so much more effective in whatever I achieved. And in whatever destination I get to

Gresham Harkless 14:18
exactly is a great reminder. So now it asked me my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote unquote CEOs on this show. So Renee, what does being a CEO means?

Renée Lopez-Calleja 14:29
Yes, being a CEO, to me means freedom and choice.

Gresham Harkless 14:35
Absolutely love that, Renee. I appreciate that. And I appreciate your time even more. What I wanted to do is pass you the mic so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know. And of course how best they can get out of you. Get a copy of your book when it comes out and find out about all of us and paperwork.

Renée Lopez-Calleja 14:50
Totally, totally. Thank you so much crush. This has been amazing. Yeah, please. everyone listening feel free to reach out to me on Instagram, Rene Marino, Official send me a DM I love it. I love to connect with, you know, potential other master communicators and you know those of you who just have a question reach out to me. I'm also on Facebook at Renee Marino and master communicators as well, that's a Facebook page. And if you are serious about kind of honing this ability to become a master communicator, I have a wonderful Facebook group called becoming a master communicator through imperfect action. And it is for those who are truly truly serious about kind of gaining that confidence to be able to speak up in their relationships, be able to get on a live video and feel comfortable. If that's something you're interested in. Definitely Feel free to join the Facebook group. And yeah, just just reach out because I really love connecting that's the best part of being a communication coach, right is connecting on a deep level with with other people. So I look forward to meeting you. Awesome, awesome. Awesome.

Gresham Harkless 16:03
Thank you so much. Again, Renee. We will have the links and information in the show notes as well too, so that everybody can follow up with you and I truly appreciate you not just you know, being a massive communicator, but helping so many people communicate some of the things that they hope to see and feel and experience in their lives. So I appreciate you my friend and I hope you have a great rest of the day.

Outro 16:22
Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at IAMCEO.CO. I am CEO is not just a phrase, it’s a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe and leave us a five-star rating. Grab CEO gear a www.CEOgear.co This has been the I AM CEO podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.