How to Communicate Like a Pro (with Michael Smoak/HigherUpWellness)
Fitness Stuff (for normal people)
Tony and Marianna
4.9 • 644 Ratings
🗓️ 6 October 2025
⏱️ 97 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, Tony sits down with Michael Smoak (better known online as HigherUpWellness) to unpack what it really means to communicate better.
They talk about why most people struggle to express themselves clearly, how to get your point across without over-explaining, and what makes people actually listen. Michael shares the story behind his viral “HigherUp Speaking Challenge” and how it’s helped thousands overcome the fear of speaking up, in front of a crowd, or even just in conversation.
From fitness to communication, this episode breaks down the simple skills that change how you connect with people, at work, in relationships, and online.
If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure how to get your message across, this one’s for you.
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Timestamps:
(04:37) Defining Communication and Common Misconceptions
(06:52) The Role of Nonverbal Cues in Communication
(12:07) The Power of First Impressions
(20:14) Active Listening and Filler Words
(25:39) The Value of Practicing Communication Skills
(32:28) Facing the Fear of Public Speaking
(34:10) The Viral Public Speaking Challenge
(38:34) The Power of Posting Publicly
(40:59) The Importance of Doing Hard Things
(44:16) Coping with Personal Loss
(49:18) The Role of Communication in Self-Understanding
(53:46) The Art of Concise Communication
(01:04:09) Balancing Authenticity and Influence
(01:05:46) Understanding the Ego and Authenticity
(01:06:25) The Power of Simplicity in Communication
(01:06:40) The Importance of Authenticity Online and Offline
(01:08:13) Personal Experiences and Sharing Vulnerability
(01:10:20) The Concept of Alter Egos and Authenticity
(01:18:36) Energy, Intent, and Authenticity
(01:25:39) The Role of Communication Skills in Personal Growth
01:32:07 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Today's conversation is one I've been looking forward to in my head for a very long time. |
| 0:04.6 | I'm honored to welcome a new friend onto the podcast, Michael Smoke, or how so many people |
| 0:09.4 | know him online as higher up wellness. Now, when it comes to the art of communication, |
| 0:14.4 | not just speaking clearly, but being heard in a world where attention is harder to hold |
| 0:18.3 | on to now than ever. I mean this when I say this. |
| 0:21.4 | There are very few people I'd consider operating at as high of a level as he is. |
| 0:26.0 | Mike isn't a guru and he's not playing a character. He's a communicator in the purest sense. |
| 0:30.8 | Someone who spent years posting, teaching, coaching, and refining his craft until his message |
| 0:35.2 | became impossible to ignore. He started in fitness, but what separates him is the way he took those roots and built |
| 0:41.0 | something much bigger. |
| 0:42.5 | A framework for how anyone can stand out and connect no matter the room, the platform, or the goal. |
| 0:47.6 | Michael has amassed millions of followers across different media platforms and started public speaking |
| 0:52.2 | challenges that an estimated 30 to 40,000 |
| 0:55.0 | people have partaken in online. It is actual madness when you look at what he's accomplished. |
| 1:00.0 | And in this episode, we cover a lot how standing out and perfecting communication is a skill |
| 1:05.6 | that you can develop and learn to improve and how to actually do that. How to master the |
| 1:10.0 | balance between simplicity |
| 1:11.1 | and depth when getting your point across, and the verbal, visual, and vocal cues that make |
| 1:15.5 | the difference in being overlooked or not heard and being remembered. The skill of communication |
| 1:20.2 | touches every single part of your life, your work, your relationships with others and |
| 1:24.7 | yourself. Get it right and it amplifies everything else you do. |
| 1:28.8 | If you've ever felt drowned out or that your voice just isn't being heard in a credible way, |
... |
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