Today I want to talk about something we all struggle with—expectations. We often set the bar too high for ourselves, don't we? Whether it's the way we look, the way we speak, or even how we present ourselves, we feel the pressure to be perfect. But here's the truth: there is immense power in showing up just as imperfectly as you are.

Let me share a little story with you. A couple of days ago, I had a virtual meeting scheduled for 10 AM. It was one of those mornings where if you had the chance for a do-over, you would take it. The power had been out, and I was still in my sweats, just managing to blow-dry my hair before the call. When my client joined the call, she laughed and said, "You're getting me as I am! I thought the appointment was at 11, and I'm just in a ball cap." In that moment I stopped caring about my still frizzy barely blow-dried hair and realized that it didn’t matter. My client and I both showed up despite the morning’s chaos and that is what...

You want to get started with your signature speech, but you don’t know where to begin. You know you have a story that will leave your audience both laughing and crying (hopefully not from boredom) but you can’t figure out how to get the perfect balance of feelings, wisdom, tears, and joy into it. If this is you, you are in the right place!

We are the sum of all the experiences we have lived. No one on earth has lived the same experiences the way you have. This makes you uniquely qualified to share your story and the wisdom contained within. If you are ready to craft your captivating and inspiring story, here are 5 tips to help you get started!

1.  Reflect on Your Life Experiences

First things first, take a stroll down memory lane. If you are a journaler, revisit your old journals (if not, now would be a great time to take up journaling). Think about those moments in life that made you laugh, cry, or contemplate moving to a deserted island. We are talking about the...

Are you looking to make an impact, yearning to share your story, yet feeling a whirlwind of nerves and uncertainty about taking the stage? You are not alone. Many people, just like you, harbor dreams of confidently sharing their story and message with the masses but are held back by self-doubt.

Lau-Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Today, let us take the first step in your journey toward stage confidence and overcoming those thoughts in your head that tell you you aren’t good enough to be a speaker. 

To overcome your doubts and fears, you must first understand them. It is natural to feel nervous or anxious about public speaking – being vulnerable on stage is a courageous act. The fear of being judged or not good enough can be paralyzing and can legitimately hold you back from pursuing your dreams of being a speaker. But remember, these feelings do not define your capability or destiny. They are merely obstacles...

Greetings and Happy 2024! Today I am discussing something that is close to my heart and is the whole reason I created my business – stepping onto the stage and becoming a speaker. If you have been wondering, even a little bit, if becoming a speaker is something YOU could do, 2024 is the perfect year to make it happen!

I know you are a woman with a lifetime’s worth of wisdom, experiences, and stories burning inside you, ready to be shared with the world. And you might be wondering if any of that wisdom could be used to inspire others. The answer is unequivocally YES! Each of us has a story to tell and a lesson to share. The only thing holding us back from sharing is the fear that we are not good enough to be on a stage, microphone in hand, telling people about our life’s journey and what they can learn from it.

Maybe you're already in a role where public speaking is part of the gig, but those nagging feelings of inadequacy are holding you back. I hear you, and I'm...

Today I want to discuss the power of vulnerability in public speaking. Sharing personal stories can feel scary and you might wonder if your audience will think of you in a certain way based on the experiences you share. In fact, your audience will likely connect with you on a much deeper level when you share relevant personal experiences in your speech!

In this article, we will cover 7 ways that sharing your personal stories and experiences help you create a speech that will impact your audience and allow them to reflect, connect, and engage with you!

Let’s dive in!

1. The Power of Vulnerability: Vulnerability is not a weakness; it is your superpower. When you share personal stories, you're not just speaking to people; you are inviting them to think of a relatable experience of their own and to connect with you through that shared similar memory. This connection is better than any hook you could ever use to earn audience engagement. While it is scary to think about sharing...

You’ve done it. You have decided to apply for that speaking engagement or join that speaking group and you have committed to stepping on to the stage to share your story, your knowledge, and your expertise with an audience. 

Once the excitement dwindles and you start working on your words, you might realize that you’ve never been on a stage, you don’t know how to present a captivating story, or you might get so nervous about it that you want to back out. 

I want you to know that these are completely normal thoughts, but you are not alone in feeling anxious or not good enough to be on the stage. Most of us have those thoughts at some point in our speaking journey, even if we are experienced speakers. The good news is that you can learn how to be a great storyteller, you can learn to manage nerves, and you can learn how to command the stage so you can enjoy the experience from start to finish! (All of these are addressed when you work with me )

You will...

For today’s article, I am sharing my best tips for confident public speaking. Since the title sums up exactly what we are discussing today, let’s get into it!

My philosophy on speaking is simple: Everyone has a story to tell and the ability to tell it. They just don’t know where to begin. With these tips, and some expert guidance (from a coach like yours truly) you can get started on your path to the stage where you can share your story with the masses! 

1. Begin with the End in Mind: Every conversation, every speech, has a purpose. Start by identifying this purpose. What do you want to achieve with your words? What impact or what lesson do you want to leave your audience with at the end. How do you want them to feel? Knowing the answer to these questions will guide you in your preparation, helping you craft a message that resonates with the audience and achieves its purpose.
2. Craft Your Message with Precision: Once your goal is clear, your message should follow...

Let’s talk about silence, the awkward pause, crickets…

Silence is a powerful tool. As a musician, I was taught that silence is just as important as sound. It should be allowed to sing just as loudly as the notes we played. I teach the same concept in public speaking!

Silence, or the strategic pause, is a powerful rhetorical tool that, when used correctly, can significantly enhance the impact of your speech. It also provides a chance for your audience to process your words, reflect on their own experiences that might be triggered by your words, and prepare themselves for what comes next. 

You’re probably thinking, “how long does the silence have to be to do all that?” 

The good news is that a few seconds of silence is more than enough most of the time! Silence also allows you as the speaker to process, reflect, and prepare to move forward. 

Silence gets a bad wrap these days. Awkward pauses can feel tense, but they don’t have to....

You have a story and a strong desire to share it. But how do you get from where you are to where you want to be? The path to the stage is often shadowed by self-doubt, nerves, anxiety, and overwhelm. You know you can share your story, but are you going to be able to connect with the audience, be understood in the right way, and leave a lasting impression?

The short answer is yes, but it is not a quick answer. It takes patience, practice, time, and guidance to get to the stage. Your fear of not being good enough is real, but it shouldn’t hold you back from taking the steps to the spotlight. If you have that desire to create a story that will captivate and inspire your audience, keep reading!

Communicating and connecting with your audience is an art. It goes beyond mere engagement and involves preparation on your part to ensure you can create a bond or shared experience that will last long after you've left the stage. Being a captivating speaker means you are capable, relatable,...

You have a story that the world needs to hear, and I know that sometimes, the only thing standing between you and the stage is your lack of confidence – not just in what you will say, but in how you will say it. Today, let's explore how your body language can support your mission on the stage and speak volumes before you even utter a word.

The Power of Non-Verbal Communication 

Did you know that over half of the information you convey on stage is non-verbal? That's right, your posture, gestures, and even your facial expressions can tell your audience a great deal about you, your confidence, and your credibility. Embracing this power can transform your presence on stage.

Understanding non-verbal cues and using them to your benefit can have a profound impact on the way you are perceived on stage. A simple smile as you walk out from behind the curtain can set the entire tone of what happens next. The way you walk, the level at which you look across the room (eyes up or...