In this week’s episode of Maverick Mind, I’m joined by spoken word poet, TEDx speaker, and confidence coach Tricia Veldman — a creative whose work explores identity, self-expression, public speaking, and what it really means to live fully alive in the face of uncertainty.

For ten years, Tricia worked as a speech coach helping people overcome fear, build confidence, and find their voice. But her life shifted dramatically when her mother was placed on hospice at 65. Moving back home to care for her reshaped Tricia’s perspective on time, creativity, and self-expression. That experience inspired her 2023 TEDx talk and much of the spoken word poetry she performs today.

We talk about the emotional side of confidence and visibility, how to work through creative fear, and why declaring your identity can feel so vulnerable. Tricia shares how one open mic night led her into spoken word poetry, how daily writing became her grounding practice, and what motivated her to publish her poetry book Create & Receive, Make & Believe.

Inside the episode, we explore:
✨ identity, self-expression, and the courage to be seen
✨ how mortality and grief can fuel creativity and purpose
✨ the truth about confidence (and why it’s not about being fearless)
✨ spoken word poetry as a tool for emotional processing
✨ creative blocks, imposter syndrome, and visibility fears
✨ shifting from public speaking coaching into full-spectrum confidence coaching
✨ the messy, human process of sharing vulnerable work
✨ why waiting until you’re “ready” keeps you stuck

This conversation is grounding, energising, and full of permission — an invitation to say what you need to say while you’re here to say it, and to live a creative life that feels honest, courageous, and fully alive.

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Find her website here

Watch her TEDx here