The butterflies in your stomach, the racing heart, the sweaty palms—pre-speech anxiety is a challenge nearly every speaker faces, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth. But here’s the truth: nervousness is not your enemy. It’s a sign that you care deeply about your message and your performance. By learning to navigate these feelings, you can turn them into powerful tools for delivering an impactful and memorable presentation.

Here are eight practical tips to help you manage nerves and step onto the stage with confidence:

1.  Accept and Reframe Your Nervous Energy
   

Nervousness is your body’s way of gearing up for a challenge, and it’s a signal that you care about your performance. Instead of fighting it, reframe it. Think of it as excitement and enthusiasm—a boost of energy ready to propel you forward. After all, your body doesn’t distinguish between nervous and excited energy; it just feels the intensity! Embracing this...

When it comes to crafting a speech that leaves a lasting impact, personal experiences are your secret weapon. Stories rooted in your own life are authentic, relatable, and will resonate with your audiences. Here are three simple tips to help you turn your experiences into an unforgettable speech.

1. Start with a Thought-Provoking Statement or Question Your opening sets the stage for everything that follows. Dive right in with a bold statement or question that grabs your audience’s attention. For example, a client once began their speech with, "They told me I was stupid." This stark, emotional statement immediately captivated the room and made people curious about what came next.

Think about a moment in your story that is shocking, inspiring, or challenges expectations, and use it to spark curiosity from the very first sentence. 

2. Start with the End in Mind What is the one thing you want your audience to take away? Is it a lesson, an idea, or a call to action? Build your...

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on where you’ve been and chart a bold course for where you want to go. For those of us who dream of stepping onto the stage and sharing our stories, 2025 holds unlimited potential. But how do you turn that dream into reality?

The answer lies in setting clear, purposeful goals.

If the idea of public speaking excites you but also feels daunting, you’re not alone. Many people hesitate because of nerves, fear of judgment, or simply not knowing where to begin. The good news is that by setting thoughtful goals, you can break through these barriers and step into the spotlight with confidence and clarity.

Building your speaking skills and your confidence has benefits in every aspect of your life. Even if you don’t dream of inspiring the masses from the stage, you can still make an impact in your own life and the lives of those around you by learning how to verbalize your stories, present information with confidence,...

As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on this year with immense gratitude and a heart full of pride. This has been a year of transformation, of stepping out of comfort zones, and of embracing opportunities that once seemed like distant dreams. For me, it has been a year of saying yes to the things that bring me joy and taking bold leaps into the unknown—and I am overwhelmed by the beauty of what has unfolded as a result.

At the start of this year, I carried a vision in my heart: to fully embrace my calling to empower women to share their stories, step onto stages with confidence, and make an impact in the world. Today, as I look back, I am in awe of how far I have come—not just professionally, but personally, as a woman who dared to chase her dreams.

Here are five milestones that made 2024 a year I will never forget:

1. Taking the Leap to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

In one of the scariest yet most exhilarating decisions of my life, I left my corporate job to...

In today’s competitive business world, standing out can feel like an uphill battle. Yet, there is one tool that is uniquely yours, deeply compelling, and absolutely free: your personal story. Your journey—complete with its challenges, triumphs, and lessons—is a powerful way to build connections, establish trust, and make your business unforgettable. 

Whether you are just starting out or looking to deepen your impact, sharing your story could be the key to unlocking authentic relationships and lasting success. Let’s explore why your story matters and how you can start using it to grow your business today.

Reason #1: Stories Create Connection

In our fast-paced world, people crave genuine connection. When you share your story, you invite others into your world. When you courageously share your emotions, experiences, and values, these shared moments can form the backbone of authentic relationships.

Practical Tip: Think about a pivotal moment or challenge...

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have when it comes to connecting with other people. Stories make us relatable and give a pathway for people to connect with us, often in ways we do not even realize. Whether it is through common experiences like getting braces or going to prom, or something as universal as the awkwardness of a first job interview, stories allow us to feel seen and understood. They pull us in, painting vivid pictures of moments we’ve lived or obstacles we have faced. Yet so many people feel like their stories are not big enough, interesting enough, or worth telling. The truth? Every story matters—and learning how to share yours is the key that will unlock your ability to connect with and inspire others!

It might feel overwhelming or seem impossible to get started but you can start crafting your personal narrative in 5 easy steps.

Step 1: Start with a Shared Experience

Think back to a moment that almost everyone can relate to, like getting...

When you hear the word "story," what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of a novel, a movie, or even an old tale told by your grandparents. But have you ever thought of your life as a story? More specifically, have you ever considered what it would mean to tell that story—to take your life experiences, the lessons you've learned, and the challenges you've overcome, and share them with others?

Storytelling is not just a recounting of events; it is the art of connection. It is the moment where what you have in your head and in your heart becomes the bridge that connects you to your audience. For many, the thought of standing on a stage and sharing personal stories can feel overwhelming, maybe even terrifying. But here’s the truth: your story holds power. It holds the power to heal, inspire, and ignite change—not only in those who hear it, but also in you, the storyteller.

As a coach, one of the most common lines I hear from women is, “I don’t think my story...

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about standing on stage, confidently sharing your story and inspiring others, only to have the fear of public speaking or not knowing what to say hold you back? Or perhaps you're already speaking in front of others, but deep down, you know your message could have a bigger impact. 

If any of this sounds familiar, you might be wondering: Is hiring a speaking coach the right next step for me?

Let’s dig into that. I work with women who want to step onto the stage with confidence and the ability to captivate their audience through storytelling. Whether you are in the boardroom instituting change or on the stage inspiring the masses, the key to your success will be how effectively you tell a story, and that takes practice and guidance. 

To help you determine if a speaking coach is the right fit for you, here are a few questions to consider:

1. Do you know you have a story to tell, but struggle to shape it into a message that...

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...