How Ring Announcer & TV Host Gail Kasper Is Helping To Make The Entertainment Industry More Diverse and Representative
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
Over the years, there have only been a handful of women who have been allowed to join the elite ranks of Ring Announcer for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or boxing matches internationally. I am aiming to be one of them. And I don’t believe this is any fault to men. If we as women have yet to step up to claim a specific field, it’s nobody’s fault — but now there needs to be a willingness for both men and women to open their minds to diversity and other styles and talents that represent the field. As far as ring announcing, I’m ready to go and ready to challenge any man to the task.
As a part of my series about leaders helping to make the entertainment industry more diverse and representative, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Gail Kasper.
Gail Kasper is a ring announcer, motivational speaker, TV Host, emcee, author, business consultant, certified fitness trainer and model, creator, executive producer, actress and animal rights activist. Having been the voice for multi-billion-dollar companies, professional sports teams, non-profits, and having motivated high-level executives and national sales teams, Kasper is a skilled, respected, and proven wordsmith and communicator gifted at grabbing and holding the attention of thousands of fans.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Before I became an entrepreneur, I worked as a manager in a company and I was a bad manager. I focused more on the task than the people. As I learned about leadership, I began to learn about my team and who they were, I fell in love with helping them to achieve. This led me to become a motivational speaker and to take the risks necessary to achieve my goal as a television host. Beginning my career as a motivational speaker — with no following — my will and talent were my survival. I needed to knock down doors to get any chance. Rejection became my life and I barely survived. Finally, my work both as a speaker and television host expanded. Now, years later, I was approached to be a ring announcer. It was as though a light bulb had gone off — it was the perfect fit for my skills and the beginning of a new branch to my brand.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
My most interesting story was when I uncovered a television opportunity. Through fate, I found myself in a production office that was reformatting a television show and looking for a new host. After hearing this, I could not let it go. I literally sat on the doorstep of the production company for three months in the hopes of becoming their next co-host. I was denied as I had never hosted a show before. After three months of persistence, they sat me down and told me that they were holding auditions to find someone with experience. With tears in my eyes, I told them, “I’ll see you at the auditions.” I went — and was hired for the job.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
As a motivational speaker, I pursued the National Hockey League. I wanted the opportunity to inspire the players to greatness. One of the local general managers owned a gym so I thought I’d stop by the gym to catch him for a quick chat. I walked in, not realizing it was an all-guy gym. Needless to say, I didn’t stop to consider that they might be walking around in their birthday suits. Lesson learned: Do everything you can to research what you might be walking into.
Ok thank you for all that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our discussion. Can you describe how you are helping to make popular culture more representative of the US population?
Over the years, there have only been a handful of women who have been allowed to join the elite ranks of Ring Announcer for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or boxing matches internationally. I am aiming to be one of them. And I don’t believe this is any fault to men. If we as women have yet to step up to claim a specific field, it’s nobody’s fault — but now there needs to be a willingness for both men and women to open their minds to diversity and other styles and talents that represent the field. As far as ring announcing, I’m ready to go and ready to challenge any man to the task.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by the work you are doing?
No. You can certainly go to my website for my accolades. But really, I believe that as much as I have impacted others' lives, they have equally impacted mine. I have been blessed to have amazing individuals in my life, not high profile, but just as powerful in their thoughts and actions. Thank you.
As an insider, this might be obvious to you, but I think it’s instructive to articulate this for the public who might not have the same inside knowledge. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why it’s really important to have diversity represented in Entertainment and its potential effects on our culture?
From the core, it is essential that every child grow up with the knowledge that the world is open to them. As parents, teachers, and leaders in society, it is our job to make certain we are actively involved and vocal about these opportunities. With that, new bridges will be created every day. In any child’s mind, it begins with, “It’s possible.”
Can you recommend three things the community/society/the industry can do to help address the root of the diversity issues in the entertainment business?
First, I believe articles and publications such as this one play a key role. If people are not aware, they can’t do anything to support an effort. They don’t know that a problem exists. Second, each person should learn about the various roles and functions within the industry. Education breeds ideas. And third, think, “out of the box.” Stay in tune with both our youth and adults and their talents so that they are directed to the entertainment business. If that’s where their strengths lie, you want to encourage them. And I know you didn’t ask for #4 — but there is a 4th — be the solid support to make it happen. Never waiver. Those striving to achieve in this industry or any field will already waiver in their own mind. Your job is support.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is stepping up for a cause where others won’t, despite the prestige of anyone around you. From there, you are establishing a path that has never been created. Just recently I was sitting with a new manager in a company. She immediately took the side of other management, who were minimizing other departments and their work. This is not leadership and does not serve the present or the future of the CEO, the company, or the employees.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. It won’t be easy. This sounds cliche, but it consistently holds true. In college, there will be tough classes. Go with it. To get a job, you will have competition. Make certain you are prepared. Once you have gotten the job, continue to get educated.
2. You will fail. And sometimes you will fail before you start. Expect bumps and bruises along the way. Rejection must be a way of life.
3. You can do it. And the first time it happens, you will shock yourself. If you don’t shock yourself, the goal wasn’t big enough.
4. Be ready to ride the roller coaster. Getting there doesn’t mean staying there. Once you arrive, there’s work to be done.
5. Read the above.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Instead of preaching advice, give a hug. Instead of deflating a human spirit, blow it up.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I don’t have a favorite, but I have a favorite theme — take risks. Risks have proven to be the strongest part of my journey. I have failed so many times and the hits have been hard — but stretching myself to see what I’m capable of has built indestructible confidence to continue to go afterlife.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I would love to meet Jennifer Garner. As a talent and mother, she inspires me greatly, filling gaps in my life that inspire new growth. Thank you, Jennifer. (And she looks like a great cook!)
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Facebook — @gailkasperfans
Instagram — @gailkasper
Twitter — @gailkasperfans
This was very meaningful, thank you so much!
