It's right up there on the list of Top 3 Human Fears! I'll confess, I once told my college speech professor that I couldn’t make it to class because "my grandma passed away." Well, it was sort of true... she DID pass away...when I was in 7th grade! I did EVERYTHING to dodge public speaking, and once got so worked up that I experienced a pre-speech puke session—yuck!

 

At work meetings, I'd try my best not to tremble in front of colleagues. My boss and great friend, an eloquent speaker herself, noticed my plight and nudged me towards Toastmasters. It helped, but nerves still had their way. When my Chief Nursing Officer, Debbie P., offered me a chance to become a HeartMath® trainer for Mayo Clinic, I hesitated. "Transform stress in the moment," she said. I raised an eyebrow, "Sure," I thought skeptically.

 

Fast forward 16 years—I'm a global HeartMath® Certified Master Trainer and Coach, and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer! Do I still get the jitters? Absolutely. But now, I redirect that energy into playful enthusiasm. And guess what? I get to pass on these transformative techniques to my amazing clients and students.

 

In 2016, I decided to face my fear of public speaking head-on. How? By auditioning for my late hubby Steve's and my favorite TV game show: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Three weeks post-Skype audition, my family and a friend were en route to Las Vegas to tape the show! Fast forward to the episodes that aired Jan 18-19, 2017—yeah, those were mine!

 

Oh, the million-dollar question? Did I win? Let’s just say sitting on that couch at home...the game looks WAY asier! Also, Chris Harrison's mesmerizing blue eyes? Totally distracting! But that day, I FELT like a million bucks.

 

Photos credit: MillionaireWanted38 (YouTube) 

 

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I'm sharing this to inspire YOU!  You can break free from your fears too!
I'm honored to be your coach, when you're ready!