Coming Soon!
Craft. Refine. Deliver.
The Standing Ovation Speaker Intensive: A 2-day deep-dive for speakers ready to uncover their idea’s full power, tell purposeful stories, and promote their talk with confidence. Led by international speaking coach Michael Ashford.
“I want to get a standing ovation at the end of my talk.”
A client of mine once told me this when I asked him about his goals for his talk.
And isn’t that the truth for all of us as speakers?
What if, in just 2 days, you could walk away with a compelling, confident, standing ovation-worthy talk — and a clear plan to share it with the world?
If you’re:
Launching a new keynote
Pivoting into thought leadership
Aiming to stand on the TEDx red dot
Or tired of winging it with half-baked outlines
the Standing Ovation Speaker Intensive is your chance to build the talk that defines your next chapter!
What’s Included?
Day 1: Construct & Storycraft
Clarify your big idea and audience transformation
Build a talk that flows and feels like you
Master the art of storytelling — structure, simplicity, and soul
Day 2: Deliver & Promote
Refine your talk with on-your-feet coaching
Build confidence in your delivery with vocal pacing and stage presence practice
Learn how to better promote your talk — TEDx, keynotes, podcasts, and more
You’ll Walk Away With:
A structured and impactful talk draft
Refined delivery techniques
A visibility roadmap
Feedback from a TEDx coach and a room full of purpose-driven speakers
Access to a private post-event follow-up call
“Our first deep dive into my idea, I cried (in a good way!). He asks the most insightful questions that really help a speaker get to the true core and purpose of their idea.”
Acey Holmes
“What he has done for me has brought more value than what I initially invested in his services. If you have the opportunity to work with him, seize it!”
Jensen Jones
“His iterative process guided me through crafting a compelling talk, while his specific, actionable feedback during rehearsals helped me tighten and strengthen my delivery.”
Ulcca Hansen
Event Logistics
📍 Location: Castle Rock, Colorado, Venue TBD
📅 Dates: Spring 2026
⏰ Times: Day 1: 9am–5pm | Day 2: 9am–3pm
🎟️ Cost: $1,497 Early Bird | $1,997 Full Price
🎁 Bonuses: Includes lunch both days & a speaker dinner after Day 1
This information is tentative and subject to change
Join the waitlist
Be the first to get notified when registration for the intensive opens AND reserve your early bird discount. Don’t worry, this isn’t locking you into any commitment.
Your Coach, Michael Ashford
Hi, my name is Michael, and I’m your coach.
My goal when coaching speakers is to help them uncover their true voice and the fullness of their story. The world doesn’t need another cliché, surface-level talk, and with my help, you’ll craft a talk that is uniquely you and worthy of a standing ovation.
I’ve delivered two TEDx Talks (watch Talk 1 and Talk 2), a DisruptHR talk, and I’ve taken hundreds through my confident speaking workshop. I’m also the Head Speaker Coach and Curator at TEDxManitouSprings and a volunteer speaking coach at TEDxBoulder.
