Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Anne Marie Anderson on How to Build Your Front Row | EP 587
Thu, 20 Mar 2025
In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes Anne-Marie Anderson, an accomplished broadcaster and author of "Cultivating Audacity." They discuss the importance of audacity in personal and professional growth, the role of preparation, and how to build a supportive "front row" of trusted individuals in your life. Anne-Marie shares her journey in sports broadcasting, the challenges she faced, and how she navigated her career with boldness and resilience.Full Shownotes here: https://passionstruck.com/anne-marie-anderson-build-your-front-row/What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Understanding Your Inner Critic: Anne-Marie emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing your inner critic, which often undermines confidence and decision-making.Cultivating Audacity: Audacity is defined as the willingness to take bold risks. It is not an inherent trait but something that can be cultivated through practice and intentionality.The Importance of Preparation: Preparation is crucial for success. Anne-Marie shares her experiences in broadcasting, highlighting that thorough preparation leads to confidence and better performance.Building Your Front Row: Your "front row" consists of the people who support, challenge, and uplift you. It's essential to surround yourself with individuals who contribute positively to your journey.Navigating Risks: Not all risks are reckless; understanding the difference between reckless and worthwhile risks is vital for personal growth.Hope vs. Planning: Anne-Marie argues that hope is not a plan. Instead of having a backup plan, focus on amending your primary plan to achieve your goals.For more information on Anne Marie Anderson: https://annemarieanderson.com/Sponsors:Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF”Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.”Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.”Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.”Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit.Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSIONNext on Passion Struck:In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Join the Passion Struck Community!Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here.Speaking Engagements & WorkshopsAre you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter PacksWith over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.Catch More of Passion Struck:My solo episode on Fading into Insignificance: The Impact of Un-Mattering in Our Interconnected EraCatch My Episode with Jennifer B. Wallace on the Consequences of Prioritizing Achievements Over MatteringCan’t miss my episode withArthur C. Brooks on Finding Success, Happiness, and PurposeListen to my interview with Robin Sharma on the 8 Forms of Wealth That Determine SuccessCheck My solo episode on Why We All Crave To Matter: Exploring The Power Of Mattering.If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteWant to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!
Chapter 1: How can understanding your inner critic enhance personal growth?
Coming up next on Passion Struck. I think in working with your inner critic is acknowledging it's always going to be there, John. Your inner critic is always going to be alongside you chirping away. You need to be able to recognize when it's talking and take away its ability to make decisions for you. You can explore the ideas, but your inner critic does not get to be a decision maker.
Welcome to passion struck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles. And on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself.
If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become passion struck. Hey, passion struck fam, welcome to Episode 587.
Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, I am so grateful you're here. You have joined a global movement dedicated to unlocking your full potential, living with intention, and making what truly matters matter most. Before we dive in, let's take a moment to reflect on Tuesday's episode with Nir Eyal.
We explored how to master focus, break free from distractions, and design a life that aligns with your deepest goals. If you missed it, I highly recommend going back to listen. It's packed with actionable insights to help you reclaim your time and attention. Now, let me ask you this.
What if the only thing standing between you and your biggest dreams isn't a lack of talent or opportunity, but a lack of audacity? What if the bold risks we shy away from are actually the ones that could transform our lives? And how do we dismantle doubt and step into the courage required to chase what truly matters?
That's exactly what we're diving into today with my guest, the extraordinary Anne-Marie Anderson. a three-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster for ESPN, keynote speaker, and now the author of her powerful new book, Cultivating Audacity, How to Dismantle Doubt and Take Bold Risks. Anne-Marie's story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the empower of intentional risk-taking.
From her days as a standout collegiate volleyball player to her groundbreaking career covering six Olympic Games, heavyweight title fights, and the Super Bowl, she continually pushed the boundaries of what's possible. In today's conversation, we explore how Anne-Marie made audacity her superpower, navigating setbacks with grit and grace.
We explore the lessons she's learned from legendary coaches and athletes about achieving greatness. And then we go into her strategies for dismantling self-doubt, recalibrating rejection, and taking risks that matter. Anne-Marie's insights go beyond her incredible career. They challenge us to rethink our mindset, action, and sense of belonging.
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Chapter 2: What is the significance of audacity in achieving success?
you are able to give significance to them, right? Significance. They have a worth and a value for you. You hopefully are bringing a worth and a value for them and it reconnects. So when you've got disengaged employees, it's because they don't have that connection to other people who they believe are also trying to better, trying to engage with themselves, with, I mean, with each other.
When you ask somebody, hey, John, I'm trying to write a book. I know you've written books. And I'm wondering if you would be in my front row, if I can ask you some questions. When you ask them, and I do use those words, front row, it gives them a place in your life and a connection. People take it very seriously once you tap them. And say, I'm going to need your help with this.
I can't do it alone. It's remarkable. The investment people will have within corporation, create corporations, creating those teams, allowing the best leaders. Like Phil Jackson, for example, I think was an excellent coach. They weave individuality into a powerful group culture by creating systems within that allow for front rows.
And I think that's extremely important. And I don't think a lot of leaders know how to do it. So what would be, if you're a leader, and maybe the best example I can give is I remember I went to Lowe's and I got hired into this position where I was trying to overhaul IT operations and our security function after the company had gone through the worst crisis.
security hack and retail history at the time. And if that wasn't daunting enough, I get called into the head of HR's office my first week. And she tells me that my group has the lowest employee engagement scores in the entire company, 350,000 employees. But what I quickly came to realize is that
the employees, when they were thinking of their front row, their boss was the chief seat in that front row. And the boss that they had before didn't believe in them, didn't give them autonomy, didn't really entrust them that they wanted their input on anything. And I just found in that situation, the more that
I put myself in their shoes and looked at their capabilities from where they sat and allowed them to have a voice into how the organization should look going forward. It completely changed their willingness to want to invest in me and me reciprocal have the confidence to invest more in them. But I think a lot of people don't know how to do it.
Well, that's brilliant by you. And it's about, again, giving them significance. So these employees with their former supervisor didn't have really worth as I'm listening to you because their ideas weren't valued. And so it's about letting them know. Here's some ideas that I have. I want your individual strengths.
You have a different strength than you have and you have a different strength and I want to hear all of it so that we are building upon each other. Employers have to create a space to be able to have a yes and, like an improvisational attitude.
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