They laughed at me when I mumbled my words… Now who’s laughing…

Bravo to you.

I have been there and had a similar experience. I was a dyslectic that had gone undiagnosed until adulthood. It was a serious challenge for me. The fact that I am now blogging speaks to the fact that I never gave up.

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I had a similar fear, Gavin, so I feel your pain. I overcame it by singing, and I’m not afraid to speak in public anymore. My GREATEST fear as a child, though, was softball. My mom, the athlete, loved to organize neighborhood games with the kids. I used to pray that we would be out before I got up to bat, because I knew I’d either strike out or hit the ball right to the pitcher and be out at first base. When we were not at bat, I played ‘far outer field’ and hoped no one could hit that far. Fortunately, I have no reason to play softball, so I don’t have to crush that fear, but I think almost everyone has fears to overcome. You were brave to share yours.

All the best,
Leslie

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Gavin you are going to make a great speaker! I can already tell that from your webinars and online videos, your presentation skills are very good. I’m looking forward to seeing you on stage very soon

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If we can’t relate to your story Gavin then I suspect, we either are lying to ourselves or aren’t human! As children there is always that fear we had to overcome. The key is to do as you are implying – leave it behind in that childhood and go forward with greater strength. Thanks for the inspiration.

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I admire you for overcoming this shyness, Gavin. I was extremely shy as a child and have not totally overcome it even now. Speaking in front of a crowd is so confronting for me that I avoid it whenever I can. I believe this is a very common fear though so I am not alone in this.

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Hi Gavin,

I want to back you up on this. Indeed, everything is possible and it’s all a matter of mind set. People have just no idea how much they can accomplish if they only start believing.

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Isn’t it amazing what we can do when we put our minds to over coming what we fear. It is amazing the feelings we have when we have conquered this fear for the first time and we know that it gets easier each time we do. It should be an truly inspiring event. And it is wonderful that you have found your way to creating the life you want.

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Experiences like these really help to move you forward. When I was a kid I was pretty “numb”, self-protective cause I was bullied a lot. I think a lot of kids were back then and more so now. But being about to look back and overcome those challenges, like you did Gavin, let’s you be free of them. You are not the same person as you were then. I read somewhere that we are always physically morphing into a new version of ourselves, but our memories lag and we hang on to them. That was freeing for me to hear. You are, we are not our past and the the future is whatever we choose to make it. I am just so excited for you. I wish you the very best with your speaking engagements. You’re going to ROCK the audience!

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Great Story Gavin and something I can really relate to.

I used to be so nervous in front of people.

My background is in linguistics…..and about 12 years ago I had to speak in front of 20 people on a daily basis for a long time.

Doing really helps and now I am calm in front of an audience…as long as I know my topics.

Good on you for overcoming your fear, and now you are an inspiration to others!

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Hi Gavin, We are all happy that you overcame that fear, so that you can share your expertise with us.
Well thought out Wedding speech, and a Beautiful bride.
I am sure that it feels very empowering on the other side of your initial fear.
Thanks for sharing the video with us.

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I don’t think anyone loses their “fear” of speaking in public, just like most actors, who are always nervous before going on stage.

It is that nervousness that brings out the best in them, just as it did with you.

Great wedding speech Gavin.

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Thanks for sharing a piece of your childhood, Gavin. You’re an inspiration to many!

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Hey Gavin,
Who would have ever guessed you were shy! I had a similar experience – very shy as a child going to an all girl parochial school. I was so terrified to even raise my hand in class. I was even shy at parties.

But, take it up some years and I did my first public speaking for a battered woman’s shelter I was advocating at the time in front of 100 or so people. As I was speaking, I noticed women running out of the room. Was I this bad? Was I chasing the audience away? I found out later that they were running out to call the crisis center…good job ehh?

Then I had my own radio show. That was frightening because on radio there is not supposed to be any dead air space. I managed for the sake of my business.

Now, I can get up in front of anyone and talk. I walk into a crowd of strangers and strike up a conversation and leave with people’s contact numbers. I am a blabber mouth!

I must confess that each time I do any public speaking I get sick to my stomach before I hit the crowd. That comes with the turf.

Thanks for sharing your story,
Donna

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I can certainly relate back, Gavin. I used to do roles in every Christmas (For some reason, my teachers at school and church thought I was a good actor). Anyways, I was always afraid (you know stage fear; but as time passed, the fear began to reduce – Face it again and again and the fear stars to lost its strength).

Blogging has helped me a lot with conquering my fears – with speaking to others and in front of an audience (Since I speak while I write my blog posts, I always feel that I am directly speaking to my audience, hence my fear is minimal now).

Anyways, thank you for sharing your experience, Gavin!

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Gavin,

What a courageous story you told. Instead of shrinking in fear, you tackled your fear head on – and it wasn’t so hard to do after all. There are courses, therapists and coaches for just about any life issues we may have that have the potential to hold us back.

Congratulations on not only overcoming your fear but mastering it and speaking up there with the best of them.

Warmly,

Dr. Erica

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Gavin, I showed your blog to my girlfiriend and this is something that is close to her heart. You right the only way to overcome your fear is to attack it head on! Hopefully with practice, practice and more practice I can also overcome my fear, sweaty palms and nerves! Great wedding speech, would never guess you were nervous!

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