
How I Became a Professional Speaker (and Stopped Playing Small)
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Show Notes
I never thought "professional speaker" would be on my life bingo card. But here I am, delivering keynotes for global brands like SHRM, Michelin and Vonage. In this episode, I share the raw, unfiltered journey of how I went from giving my very first keynote to an empty room… to standing on the red dot at TEDx… to building a thriving speaking business that now makes up 75% of what I do. My story is proof that you don't need to wait until you "feel ready" - and I hope it inspires you to stop playing small and own the power of your voice.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN TIS EPISODE:
- The messy, real story of how I transitioned from trauma and imposter syndrome to a thriving speaking career
- Why validation starts with you before anyone else believes in your message
- The surprising path that took me from unpaid community talks to landing my first paid travel gig
- How my signature framework, the Overwhelm Culprits™, became the cornerstone of my keynote and upcoming book
- Four different ways you can get started or grow on your own speaking journey today
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – From being paid to be quiet as a kid to being paid to speak on global stages
01:00 – How trauma, motherhood, and imposter syndrome shaped my speaking story
02:00 – The coach who pushed me to apply for TEDx (and why I thought she was crazy)
04:00 – Giving my first keynote to an empty room
06:00 – Testing my Overwhelm Culprits™ framework in Rotary and Lions clubs
07:00 – Landing my very first TEDx talk in under six months
08:00 – When the world shut down (and I paused speaking for motherhood)
09:00 – Joining Mic Drop Academy while nursing a newborn
10:00 – Landing my first paid travel keynote (and the story that confirmed my path)
12:00 – Why self-validation is the key to becoming a paid speaker
14:00 – Four ways I can help you grow as a speaker - from beginner to established
NEXT STEP OPTIONS:
✔️ Mic Drop Club: https://micdropworkshop.com/coupon/longisland25/ ✔️ Mic Drop Workshop: Email [email protected] for a personal introduction ✔️ Mic Drop Academy: Email [email protected] for a personal introduction
✔️ Take the Overwhelm Culprit Quiz: www.corrielo.com/overwhelmculprit
✔️ Connect with Me on Social:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iamcorrielo Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/iamcorrielo Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/iamcorrielo LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcorrielo YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/iamcorrielo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamcorrielo
✔️ Visit my Website: www.corrielo.com
✔️ Book me to Speak: www.corrielo.com/speaking
✔️ Enroll in Coaching: www.corrielo.com/coaching
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