What My Fear of Public Speaking Taught Me About Growth

What My Fear of Public Speaking Taught Me About Growth

Author: Polly Lavarello July 17, 2026 Duration: 22:35

In this episode, I’m sharing the very honest story of doing my first public speaking event in ten years. Despite running a successful personal brand and talking for a living, standing in front of a room still made me physically shake.

I’ll explain where that fear came from, why I kept avoiding it, and what finally helped me step forward.

I’m also exploring the stories we tell ourselves to stay safe in business. Sometimes the next level is hiding behind the thing we keep putting off. Mine was public speaking, complete with train delays, questionable outfit choices and a deeply inconvenient childhood memory.

Highlights:

(04:12) - Realising my protective ‘no year’ had stopped serving me

(06:18) - The childhood public speaking disaster I never fully forgot

(09:25) - Why confidence on a podcast does not mean confidence everywhere

(12:10) - Arriving late, underprepared and very tempted to run away

(16:02) - The mindset shift that helped me see the room differently

(17:32) - The moment I admitted I was scared and the fear disappeared

To find out more:

Website

Instagram

Download the FREE Every day Sales Systems Playbook


Polly Lavarello, an evergreen marketing expert, hosts Make More Money without Selling Your Soul. This is for coaches, consultants, and online service providers who feel caught between the drive to grow their business and the need to maintain their personal integrity and wellbeing. Each episode explores that very tension, offering practical strategies for sustainable sales and marketing that don't rely on hype or pressure. You'll hear conversations that get into the real mechanics of attracting clients and generating revenue, all while prioritizing a balanced, ethical approach. Polly's guidance focuses on building a business that feels good to run, where financial success is aligned with your values. Tuning into this podcast means finding a reliable source for both tactical advice and mindful encouragement, designed for those who believe that ambition and authenticity aren't mutually exclusive. It’s about creating meaningful income without compromising the soul of your work.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Make More Money without Selling Your Soul
Podcast Episodes
The Million Eye Balls Test - Is Your Business Ready? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:41
What if loads more people suddenly found you, would your business actually be ready for them? In this episode, I'm getting honest about why visibility is not the magic fix people think it is. More eyes on your work can a…
When Being Gentle With Yourself Has A Limit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:20
In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest look at what this winter was really like for me, mentally, physically and emotionally. I talk about the season I was in, the ways I let myself retreat too far, and the moment I…
The Simple Solution To Daily Sales In 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:51
In this episode, I’m talking about why mini offers matter so much right now, especially if selling has started to feel slower, harder or far less predictable than it used to. I break down why this is not about adding ano…
Copy, Confidence & AI in 2026 with Beth Robinson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:21
In this episode, I’m joined by Beth Robinson, a business owner turned copywriter who is firmly in the camp of you CAN write it. Beth helps business owners and founders write proper-lysh copy that sounds like them, connec…
How To Build A Sustainable, Scalable Online Business In 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:00
Today’s episode is a little different. I’m reading my newly revised Profitable Practitioner’s Guide, updated for 2026, because so much has shifted and no one seems to have sent the memo. If you’re a coach, therapist or p…