How I Found My Voice (and Why I Want to Help You Find Yours)

I didn’t start out as someone who loved speaking. In fact, I used to dread it. My palms would sweat, my mind would go blank, and I would pray someone else would raise their hand so I wouldn’t have to.

And yet, somehow, I kept going back. To every practice. Every competition. Every stage. What started as something terrifying slowly became something transformative.

By the time I was 18, I had represented Canada at four World Championships and stood on stages in South Africa, Lithuania, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, and all across North America. I became a two-time Junior National Speech and Debate Champion, a two-time International Public Speaking Champion, and eventually, the 2016 World Public Speaking and Debating Champion.

But here’s the truth: trophies don’t guarantee confidence.

I had mastered the art of speaking in front of strangers, but I still struggled to speak up in my own life. I could command a stage, but I sometimes stayed silent in moments that mattered most to me — in relationships, in boardrooms, even in conversations with myself.

That’s when I realized something important: public speaking isn’t just about microphones and podiums. It’s about every conversation where you need your voice to matter. Asking for a raise. Setting a boundary. Sharing an idea. Admitting you’re hurt.

Now, as a Public Speaking and Executive Communication Coach, I work with women, executives, and entrepreneurs who want to find their most authentic voices and use them with confidence. I’ve coached world champion debaters and trained C-suite leaders. And what I’ve learned is this: no matter who you are, confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about trusting that your voice deserves to be heard.

That’s what this blog is about. It’s about tools, stories, and strategies to help you stop apologizing, start speaking up, and step fully into your power.

Because if there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s this: confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build. And you don’t have to build it alone.

Welcome to the community. I’m so glad you’re here.