As a child, public speaking was my absolute worst fear. Each year in school, we’d have to do a 3-5 minute memorized speech on a topic of our choice, and there was nothing I dreaded more. I got sick over thinking about it, and even remember crying when I was really young as I was so nervous! I was actually a very shy girl in my early days. It wasn’t until some point in high school where I broke out of my shell and became more outgoing and comfortable in my own skin. Most of you are probably reading this thinking ‘impossible’ because I am quite outgoing now.
When I received a phone call inquiring if I would like to do seminars at this years Spring Fishing and Boat Show, I felt a hint of shyness come back but didn’t give myself time to think it over and instead said ‘yes’. Moments later, I was signed up for 8 seminars when I had never before done one! The topic was kayak fishing and I even had a demonstration pool so I could get in the kayak during my seminar. Very cool! I got prepared and in less than a couple weeks I was on my way to the show in Mississauga, Ontario with a kayak strapped on the roof in February. I felt myself fall back into that nervousness from long ago, and got really stressed about the seminars. I kept telling myself ‘I am just talking about what I love’ and thought it should be so easy!