How to Share Your Story Without Freaking Out About Vulnerability

It was the day I was supposed to give my first big presentation. I had prepared for hours—no, let’s be real, days—studying, practicing in front of my mirror (sometimes even using a hairbrush as a microphone, no shame here), and tweaking every slide until it was perfect. Yet, as I stepped into the room, something felt off, and it wasn’t the air conditioning…

I wasn’t nervous about the content. I knew my stuff. No, what had me rattled was the idea of being vulnerable. What if they didn’t like me? What if they saw me as “just another business person trying to sound impressive”? What if I said the wrong thing? What if they saw me as human? Cue the anxiety attack. Shaky hands, dry throat, numbness all over my body… man, I was thinking “Earth swallow me”.

But then something happened. As I spoke, I realized my audience wasn’t looking for perfection. They weren’t even that focused on my slides. They wanted to connect, to hear realness, to know who I was beyond the business jargon and fancy charts. They wanted to see ME—flaws, imperfections, and all. And that’s when it hit me: Authenticity is the secret ingredient to success.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. We talk a lot about leadership, business strategies, and media visibility, but here’s the twist you might not expect: vulnerability is your ticket to standing out, connecting, and ultimately becoming media-ready. Let’s be real: who wants to be another cookie-cutter “CEO” or “thought leader” who hides behind perfect PowerPoints and robotic speeches? Not you. Not me!!

You’re human, and that’s your power.

So, how do you get comfortable with vulnerability without crumbling under pressure or fear? It’s simpler than you think—and no, it doesn’t involve you going live on Instagram and crying over a latte. (Unless that’s your thing, and if so, more power to you! Respect bro/sis)

1. Start with Small Moments

You don’t have to reveal your deepest secrets right out of the gate. Authenticity starts with the small, relatable moments. Maybe it’s sharing how you made a mistake early in your career and what you learned from it. Perhaps you talk about a time you almost failed but got back up. When people see that you’ve struggled and grown, they’ll see a leader they can trust—not a superhero who was born perfect.

2. Embrace Imperfection

This one’s a game-changer. I know, I know—you’re the boss, you have a reputation to uphold, and you’re expected to have it all together. But guess what? No one does. Embrace the messy, chaotic moments and show the world that you don’t have it all figured out (and that’s perfectly okay). It’s like the time I went live on camera, thinking I looked polished and professional—only to realize my mic was off, and I had been passionately talking to myself for a full minute. Did I panic? A little. Did I recover and own it? Absolutely. The lesson? Imperfection makes you relatable, and authenticity is what truly connects you to your audience.

3. Share Your ‘Why’

People connect with stories, not statistics. Why do you do what you do? Why are you passionate about your business? Vulnerability doesn’t mean weakness—it means showing the world the heart behind your hustle. When you share your ‘why,’ you not only inspire others but also create a deeper connection with your audience. Trust me, once you tap into that, you’ll feel the difference.

4. Take Baby Steps Towards Being Media-Ready

Being media-ready isn’t about looking perfect on TV (unless, of course, that’s your thing, too). It’s about being comfortable with yourself and showing that to the world. If you’re not quite there yet, take small steps: Start by showing up on a podcast, share a story in a blog post, or make a fun video for your social media. The more you show up authentically, the more natural it’ll feel when the big media opportunities knock.

So, where does all of this leave us?

Back to that story I started with. When I stopped worrying about being “perfect” and just started being real, I connected with my audience in a way I never could’ve imagined. Vulnerability turned out to be my superpower—the thing that set me apart and made my message resonate. So, if you’re looking to build authenticity, stand out, and become media-ready, the first step is to let go of the fear of vulnerability. Embrace your imperfections, share your story, and show the world who you really are.

Now, here’s your call to action, so take action so you don’t miss out!

If you’re ready to step into your authentic power and start preparing to take the media world by storm, drop a “READY” in the comments below! I’ll send you our exclusive, and impressive I Am. Media Ready Guide to help you become the media magnet you were always meant to be (and we know that you are).

Let’s do this, together. Ditch the fear! If you’ve ever made a mistake in a presentation, spilled coffee on your shirt before a big meeting, or accidentally clicked the wrong button in a Zoom call… I see you. Keep going.

This article was taken from our Editor-in-Chief at I AM magazine.

You’ve got this!