The Day I Stopped Walking Off Stage

Actually, let me rewind.

In college, I wouldn’t even talk at parties.
It wasn’t because I didn’t have anything to say. Oh, I had plenty to say. I was just too shy to let it out.

Fast forward a few years and I’ve literally walked off stage mid-talk. More than once. Not exactly my proudest mic-drop moment.

My biggest fear wasn’t making a mistake.

It was what people would think if I did. And truthfully? I still care too much about that. I’m working on it.

Then work forced me to train big crowds. At first, I wanted to run for the nearest exit. But I loosened up. I told a few jokes. People actually laughed, even when they probably shouldn’t have.

Y’all… I was good at this.
Before I knew it, my sessions were standing room only.

Here’s the thing. I stopped trying to be “the best speaker” and started focusing on actually helping people. Little by little, the fear went away.

Now I stand in front of corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and rooms full of strangers and I love it. I didn’t just learn how to speak on stage. I learned who I was off stage.

Sometimes we’re so busy doubting ourselves that we don’t realize we’re already becoming the person we thought we couldn’t be.

If you’re waiting to feel ready, you might be walking away from the very thing that will change you.

Stop stepping off. Start stepping in.

A quick word on betting on yourself

1. Say yes before you’re ready. Readiness is overrated. Most growth happens in the deep end.
   

2. Stack small wins. Every time you push past fear, you put another brick in the wall of your confidence.
   

3. Talk to yourself like you would a friend. You’d never tell a friend they’re not good enough, so stop saying it to yourself.