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What does it really take to transform your nerves into confidence when speaking in front of an audience—no matter how big or small? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I take you behind the scenes of my own speaking journey, sharing raw stories, practical takeaways, and the coaching that helped me grow in unexpected ways.

This week, I pull back the curtain on my experience as part of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team. After years of preaching the importance of lifelong learning, I put myself on the line—joining the team, earning advanced presenter certifications, and even making a run at standing on stage at the International Maxwell Conference. Today, I want to show you what growth looks like up close, and how vital it is to seek feedback, embrace vulnerability, and focus on progress over perfection.

To help me along this journey, I worked closely with Roddy Galbraith, none other than John Maxwell’s own speaking coach. If you’ve ever wondered whether even the best need coaching, this episode is for you. Roddy pushed me to look deeper at my message, delivery, and what I genuinely wanted my audience to walk away with. Together, we honed a simple three-minute story—one I’d performed more than a hundred times—transforming it from a personal anecdote into a powerful teaching tool.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• My own public speaking horror story—the first time I had to speak in college and what happened when anxiety got the best of me
• How that one embarrassing moment became the foundation for my growth as a speaker and coach
• The grueling, but rewarding, process of preparing for the Maxwell International Conference, and what it felt like to just miss the finals by two seconds
• A step-by-step look at the evolution of my speech—from the initial draft, through Roddy’s constructive feedback, to the final live version
• The importance of coaching and why even experienced speakers need fresh outside perspectives
• Strategies to shift your mindset from fearing the worst to aiming for the best every time you get up to speak
• Why perfection isn’t relatable, but vulnerability, honesty, and even a little messiness are
• How to take that next step in your own speaking journey—with tools and encouragement for breaking through nerves and building unshakable confidence

If you’re ever wondered how to face your speaking fears, connect more authentically, or grow past setbacks, you'll find tools and inspiration in this episode. Remember, your voice truly does have the power to change your world—but only if you choose to use it.

Thank you, as always, for supporting Speaking with Confidence. If you’re looking to keep leveling up, don’t forget to grab the free eBook, “The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them,” and sign up for my Formula for Public Speaking course. Progress, not perfection—that’s our north star. Tune in and let’s keep moving forward, together.

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