Find Your Voice — Without Losing It

5 Vocal Tips Every Instructor Should Know

If you’ve ever left a class with a scratchy throat, lost your voice by the end of the week, or sounded more like you were yelling at your kids than leading a room with intention… this is for you.

And I get it.

Because I’ve been there — literally.

In 2010, I had vocal surgery. Yup. Full-on voice rest, healing timelines, and a hard lesson in what it means to truly take care of your most underrated coaching tool: your voice.

I’ve taught thousands of instructors since then, and I’ve seen this pattern over and over again — in all kinds of voices:

• Women who pitch up and push too hard

• Men who stay low but lose energy and clarity

• New instructors who are unsure and overcompensating

• And seasoned instructors who just never got coached on this part

So let’s fix that, shall we?

Here are 5 practical, game-changing tips to help you sound strong, grounded, and confident — without strain, shoutiness, or blowing out your voice by Friday.

1. Breathe From Your Belly — Not Your Chest

Your breath is your power source.

And no, not just for cardio — for your voice.

Most of us default to shallow chest breathing, especially when we’re nervous or excited (hi, first-time instructors 🙋‍♀️). But that type of breathing limits your vocal strength and increases strain on your throat.

🎯 Try this:

Put one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take a deep breath.

If your chest rises more than your belly? That’s your cue to shift gears.

Breathe into your belly — that’s where your real vocal support lives.

2. Speak With

Support, Not Volume

Here’s the truth bomb:

Loud ≠ powerful.

In fact, loud without support = strained, tired, and unsustainable.

Your voice should be carried on the exhale, not shoved through your throat like you’re trying to win a shouting contest.

This doesn’t mean whispering — it means letting your breath do the heavy lifting.

🔥 When you cue, think:

“Am I using my breath to lift this message up, or am I forcing it out of my neck?”

That difference? Game-changing.

3. Let the Mic Do Its Job

You’ve got a mic — so use it like it’s your teammate.

Before class, check your levels. That way you won’t feel the urge to shout when the music gets hype.

Pro instructors speak with clarity, not volume. The more grounded your tone, the more people listen. (And yes — science backs that up.)

Also, yelling over music doesn’t just tire you out… it can wear out your riders too. And nobody signed up for spin class: stadium edition. 😅

4. Posture Changes Everything

Want your voice to sound stronger instantly?

Straighten up.

No, seriously.

A hunched spine = compressed lungs = weaker sound.

Instead:

• Stand tall

• Relax your shoulders

• Open your chest

• Soften your knees

This alignment gives your breath (and your voice) room to move.

You’ll sound more confident just by how you’re standing.

5. Find Your Power Voice

— Not the Parent Voice

This one’s big.

No matter your gender, finding your power voice is key.

➡️ For many women, it might mean stepping out of that high-pitched, overly cheery voice that’s trying to win the room.

➡️ For many men, it can mean moving beyond a flat, monotone delivery that lacks expression — even if the tone is naturally deep.

Your “dig deep” voice should sound like you mean it.

Not like you’re apologizing.

Not like you’re barking.

Not like you’re reading a script on 2x speed.

It should sound like you’ve got their backs. Like you’re rooted in what you’re saying.

Your power voice isn’t necessarily louder.

It’s more intentional, more grounded, and absolutely more you.

Final Thoughts — From Someone Who Knows

I had vocal surgery in 2010.

And if I could go back and teach younger-me how to breathe better, cue smarter, and stop trying to prove my voice belonged in the room? I would.

But now I get to teach you — and every instructor who’s ever pushed their voice too far:

✨ You have the power without raising your voice.

✨ You can lead with strength, even at a calm volume.

✨ You already have the voice — now let’s support it so it lasts.

Your voice is a coaching tool. An instrument. A signature part of your presence.

Let’s protect it. Strengthen it.

And let it lead the room with confidence, not strain.

Ready to go deeper?

Friend me on Insta at @trainingwithtashie or jump into our self-paced training program, where we actually teach this stuff — from cueing to coaching to confidence on the mic.

Because great instructors aren’t built by volume.

They’re built by presence. 💛