Why TEDxRexburg?

I looked at my coach and said, “I never have to do that again.”

Back story, I met  Maija-Liisa N. Adams three years ago. It was fate. Earlier that morning as I woke up I had a strong impression that I needed to improve my own speaking skills. I had participated in public speaking as a child and teen but had put it aside as an adult. I had involved my children in public speaking for 4-H and dabbled here and there with judging rodeo queen contests. When I met Maija-Liisa and realize that she was a TEDx coach I was overwhelmed and may have cussed a little. I knew that it would be a miracle for me to accomplish a TEDx talk. In my mind, I would jump in, get this over with, and move on with my life.

I had a story to tell. I started lessons from Maija-Liisa and tried out, failed, tried out, failed, for 3 years! To top it off, I tried out in Idaho Falls where I grew up and Rexburg where I live presently! There is a process. You send in an application and then you get to go to an interview to express your new idea. I only made it to the interview part three times and was never chosen to speak on stage for a total of 5 times! I started questioning if this was really a message from God telling me that I had important information to share! I expressed this to Maija-Liisa. She was kind and gave me space.

I realized that I needed to learn some basics. I showed up at a local Toastmasters club meeting and joined. This is where the growth took off! A safe place to practice and learn. There I found guidance and was able to choose what direction I wanted to take. I signed up for every contest I could get into. I knew this would push me and it did. Again I failed, I failed for a year! Never won a contest. Then suddenly I won, I won, I won in two divisions! When it got the top division I took 2nd and 3rd and it was okay, it was improvement.

Then TEDx Rexburg auditions were happening. I had just started to take some college classes and wondered if I should just not even try again. I was doing well in Toastmasters. Then at the last minute I put my application in. I didn’t tell my husband I even tried. Then I had an audition. I practiced my audition with my Toastmasters clubs  (yes, now I was in 2 clubs) and they gave me great pointers. I was selected to speak and I didn’t feel ready, but Maija-Lisa knew I was.

It was grueling work. I felt that God wanted me to tell my story. I had been working on this for 3 years. I have been molding this story for 3 years in speech after speech with Toastmasters. It wasn’t coming together as I had hoped. I was trying to memorize and it was horrible. People were coaching me, encouraging me, and it didn’t feel right.

Tuesday before the show on Saturday, my husband put a lapel mic on me, I put on my TEDx outfit, and the cameras were on for my SEA Toastmaster online club to evaluate. I struggled, I stammered, I forgot, I cussed, and some things were perfect. They took turns evaluating. I trust these people, they are professional speakers. I changed the order of the ideas in my speech. I was no longer trying memorize my speach. I had 5 ideas and I would express each idea.

The day of the show, members of both clubs showed up to a good luck dinner and to watch the show. As my name was called I walked up to the stairway. Everything went black. I prayed, “God, this was not my idea, it is yours, help me say what the world needs to hear.” I delivered my 20 minute speech in just 13 minutes. I gave my life, energy and hard work to the process and God took over for me on stage. It felt good. It is done.

After it was all over and we were packing up to go home, I looked at Maija-Liisa and said, “ I never have to do that again.” She laughed and said, ”This is only the beginning.”  It is true you really only have one time to give a TEDx talk, but it is the beginning of a new life as a TEDx alumnus.