509. She hit rock bottom in English, then rebuilt everything

509. She hit rock bottom in English, then rebuilt everything

Author: Hadar Shemesh April 14, 2026 Duration: 47:57

What happens when you prepare for your dream interview for weeks… and then get to the interview and realize you can't actually say what you want out loud?

That's exactly what happened to Monica.

In this student interview, Monica shares the heartbreaking moment that changed everything in her English journey. After being invited to interview for her dream position, she realized that all her preparation had stayed in her head. 

The moment she had to speak, she froze. And that painful experience became the turning point that pushed her to finally change the way she was learning English.

Since then, Monica has completely transformed the way she speaks, practices, and shows up in English.

In this conversation, we talk about: How one difficult interview became her wake-up call, why passive learning wasn't enough, how daily habits helped her become consistent, the role of pronunciation and prosody in building confidence, and how English helped her reconnect with her purpose

Monica's story is powerful, honest, and incredibly inspiring. If you've ever felt like English was holding you back from showing the world who you really are, this conversation is for you.

I'm so honored to share Monica's story with you. She is thoughtful, brave, and deeply inspiring, and I know you're going to love her.

Check out Monica's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/frenchsoundsbeautiful/ 

Monica discovered me through Luke's English Podcast. Watch that interview here! https://teacherluke.co.uk/2023/06/20/831-learning-how-to-learn-with-hadar-shemesh


Hadar Shemesh hosts The InFluency Podcast, drawing from her own journey from an intermediate English speaker to a recognized pronunciation expert and fluency coach. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical, empathetic guide for anyone who feels stuck in their language learning. Hadar's conversations and solo episodes delve into the tangible strategies that actually work for acquiring an American accent, building unshakeable confidence, and moving beyond textbook English to authentic, fluid speech. You'll hear a blend of mindset shifts, technical pronunciation breakdowns, and stories from a global community of learners. The focus is always on the human side of fluency-how it connects to identity, courage, and communication. Each episode of this podcast feels like a direct coaching session, offering actionable steps that address the real frustrations and aspirations of students and teachers alike. Hadar's approach demystifies the process, making the path to speaking English with assurance feel not only possible but deeply personal. Tune in for a resource that understands the journey because the host has lived it, creating a space where progress is celebrated over perfection.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The InFluency Podcast
Podcast Episodes
429. It's not too late to achieve your 2024 goals. Here's how. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:06
The end of 2024 is near – maybe you set some goals for yourself back in January, and even though you'd really love to achieve them, you're not sure HOW exactly to do that. The good news is…we still have a quarter left in…
422. Pronounce the 10 Most Popular Olympic Sports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:36
Are you watching the Olympics? Today you'll learn how to pronounce 10 of the most popular sports in the Olympics, so you can say them like a pro.