From Speech Therapy to Finding My Voice: Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking and Speaking at My Nan's Funeral

As a child, I struggled with speaking, and it wasn't until my nan paid for my speech therapy that I was finally able to find my voice. However, finding my voice was one thing - becoming a confident speaker was another. Public speaking can be a daunting task for many people, and it certainly was for me.

For the longest time, public speaking was a fear of mine. Whether it was a school presentation or a work conference, I would always feel anxious and overwhelmed leading up to the event. However, as I began to take on more senior roles, I knew that I needed to address this fear head-on if I wanted to be successful.

A particular memory stands out to me, one where I was asked to deliver a presentation to a sizeable group of colleagues. This was a significant moment for me as I had invested months of hard work into the project I was presenting on. Despite feeling anxious, I had made sure to prepare thoroughly, as I began to speak, I felt my nerves start to fade away. I was in the zone, and the words flowed effortlessly. By the end of the presentation, I was elated - not only had I successfully presented my project, but it was the first step in addressing my fear of public speaking.

As the pandemic hit and work moved online, I faced a new challenge - presenting over Zoom. I was hesitant at first, worried about how I would come across on camera. However, I quickly realised that the same principles applied - preparation and practice were key.

I started to give presentations over Zoom regularly, and soon, I was presenting to customers and colleagues from around the world. The more I presented, the more confident I became. I learned to read my audience's reactions even over video conferencing, and I was able to adapt my presentation style to suit different audiences.

But the true test of my progress came when my nan passed away. She had been my rock and my biggest supporter, and it was devastating to lose her. However, I knew that I wanted to honour her memory by speaking at her funeral, something I never thought I would be able to do.

Drawing on all of my past experiences, I was able to deliver a heartfelt poem that honoured her life and brought comfort to my family. It was a moment of closure and a testament to how far I had come in my journey to overcome my fear of public speaking. Also, it felt fitting as she was the one who paid for my speech therapy and helped me find my voice.

Overcoming the fear of public speaking takes time and practice, but it's definitely possible. For me, it was a journey that started with my first big presentation and continued through the pandemic and speaking at my nan's funeral. The key is to believe in yourself, be prepared, and keep pushing your boundaries. With time and practice, you can become a confident and effective public speaker.