Deborah Lee

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Women's public speaking group She Speaks coming soon to Essex!

Finding Your Voice

A few years ago, I walked into my first public speaking session absolutely petrified. I joined a public speaking group in London because I wanted to become more confident speaking in front of others. What happened next was humbling. The first time I stood up to speak, I managed one sentence… and then completely froze. My mind went blank. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me. But I came back. And I kept coming back.

With practice, support and repetition, what once felt impossible gradually became comfortable. Over time, I grew in confidence, developed my speaking skills, and was eventually invited to become a host, facilitating sessions and running workshops for others beginning their own journey.

Today, public speaking is one of the most transformational tools I know. People might think public speaking is only for speakers, presenters or business owners. It isn’t. Public speaking develops skills that impact every area of life.

Whether you’re:

Speaking in social situations
Attending a job interview
Leading a meeting
Giving a presentation
Networking
Having difficult conversations
Speaking on stage

The ability to communicate clearly and confidently changes how you show up in the world and how you show up shapes your opportunities.

The Real Transformation

Before every speaking session, something interesting often happens. The protective mind appears. The voice of doubt.

The voice that says:

“What if I get it wrong?”
“What if I embarrass myself?”
“What if people judge me?”
“What if I freeze?”

It creates discomfort. Delay. Excuses. Reasons not to show up. Yet almost everyone experiences the same thing. And then something remarkable happens. You stand up. You speak. And afterwards, you feel proud of yourself. Not because you were perfect. But because you did it. You faced the fear. You allowed yourself to be seen and heard.

There is something profoundly liberating about giving your voice space to exist without apology and expressing yourself authentically.

Speaking Without a Script

One of the things that makes these sessions so powerful is that they are largely based on improvisational speaking. There are no prepared speeches. No scripts. No reading from notes. Instead, participants are invited to speak on the spot about topics chosen by the audience or facilitator. At first, this can feel daunting. The mind wants time to prepare. It wants certainty. It wants to know exactly what to say. But life rarely gives us that luxury. Most conversations, presentations and opportunities require us to think, communicate and respond in real time. This is where real confidence is built.

Through my continued training in NMA (Neuroplastic Mental Acceleration) and participation in polymathic training sessions with the Council for Human Development, I discovered something fascinating. When we quiet the analytical mind and enter a state of creative flow, we gain access to far more information than we realise we possess. Ideas, experiences, stories, insights and knowledge stored within the subconscious become available in the moment they are needed. I experienced this repeatedly whilst speaking on subjects I had not prepared for. No matter what topic the audience selected, I found myself accessing relevant information, personal stories, creative ideas and connections that I wasn’t consciously aware I had available. Rather than speaking from memory alone, it felt as though I was speaking from a much deeper reservoir of information. When you stop trying to control every word and allow yourself to enter creative flow, speaking becomes less about performance and more about presence and that is often when your most authentic voice emerges.

Courage Creates Confidence

One of the greatest gifts public speaking gave me was courage. The confidence I developed through regular speaking practice eventually led me to do something I never imagined possible. I stood and spoke at Speakers’ Corner in London. For someone who once froze after a single sentence, this felt extraordinary. Not because I had become fearless. But because I had learned that fear no longer had to make my decisions for me. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build through action.

Why Public Speaking Is Part of Transformation

In my work, transformation isn’t simply about changing beliefs. It’s about becoming the person who can express those beliefs confidently in the world. You can have incredible ideas. Deep wisdom. A powerful message. But if fear prevents you from sharing it, opportunities can pass you by.

Public speaking helps you:

Build confidence
Trust yourself
Strengthen communication skills
Think clearly under pressure
Access creative flow
Express yourself authentically
Become comfortable being seen and heard

These skills extend far beyond the stage. They influence relationships, careers, leadership, business opportunities and everyday interactions. Every conversation becomes easier. Every opportunity feels more accessible. Every door becomes more possible to walk through. Because when you find your voice, you stop hiding from life. You participate in it. And sometimes, a single conversation, presentation, interview or speech can change the direction of your life. That is why I believe public speaking is not just a communication skill. It is a transformational practice. A practice in courage. A practice in self-expression. A practice in trusting yourself.