On Monday, the 29th of January 2024I, I stood on stage and delivered a new talk on Accountability through my story to a strong crowd of 600 +!
The moment had come; I had been mic-ed up. I was sitting nervously on the side of the stage, spotting faces giving me smiles and thumbs up all around. As I looked at the heels I bought for this moment, my heels of empowerment, I smiled at the comments made by friends when I mentioned what I was buying, “be careful”, “don’t wear them before”, “take them off on stage”, (moments before I went on).
I manifested a safe talk on accountability, lol!
I knew it could be a moment I regretted as I tumbled off the stage or the blood from the blisters trickled down my foot as I was talking. But my positive outlook and accountability mindset roared, ‘Nope, you bought these for a reason, and you will wear them’.
I had the note I got with my second-hand purchase fresh in my mind. This lady was one of the only people I could tell, and it made the purchase a bit more personal. So I strode on stage in massive Christian Louboutins, and as manifestation went, they looked fabulous, and I didn’t fall on my face #buysecondhand!
How did I get to this moment of ultimate accountability, and who do I thank?
Well, last October, at an Avon On Tour, I was asked by Tracey Powers to talk about accountability; the fear and confidence that I overcame just saying yes and then striding on stage with confidence was incredible. Weeks before the speech, I embarked on a 14-day adventure in the UAE for seven days of broadcasting live for the Ride for Unity from the 6th of January to the 13th, which saw me handling the social media and marketing live on the road for this fantastic cause.
When I came home, I realised that my passion and expertise WERE in leadership and inspiring others. And it all came together. I love helping people, so if that’s with unity through sport or spreading the message to ensure people know the steps I’ve taken to overcome adversity to help and inspire them to empower themselves with a speech on accountability, then that’s what I will do.
Whilst I was preparing for the moment, I was aware of a constant presence, a reassuring friend, and that was Cathy M, who was another speaker and told her story; she was my rock as we leaned on each other with nerves though occasional calls beforehand, reassuring each other and even leaving a note on each other’s chair during that person’s moment on stage, you can see the moment we share as that’s who I put my thumbs up to, and even before that, as Training Ambassadors we shared a moment of faith as I watched her embrace her power recording a video with me.
These moments will always be with us. As I watched Sara Davies talk about accountability, the nerves kicked in, but also a reassurance that a subject I’m so passionate about was being talked about by SARA DAVIES; it was almost as if it was a sign that I could do this, that maybe this was my time to show myself that all I’ve been working for has happened.
Without the people who showed faith in me and held me too accountability from the beginning, I wouldn’t be where I am now—from Avon showing me and the world that no matter what you want, you can do it your way and empowering me to do so, to Leah Tedrow, my friend who allowed me to show my skills without hiding and to be me, to Tracey powers and the incredible team at head office, Nick and Sam for your advice moments before, and the training team, Sarah, Ruby, Dave, Gemma, Terrie and Clair, and Sacha for offering the belief in me that I can do this.
Angela Cretu, Joanna Newark and Jemah Brightman, you will always be an empowering part of my life. From your letter to my daughter Angela and the fantastic running hug I gave Joanna at this conference to the incredible support from Jemah, I can’t wait to meet up online or offline soon; I will continue learning and growing to emulate the people I’m inspired by forever. My conversation with Alex Long about our mutual friend Miro made the experience much more than just another conference. And without these two people, my confidence wouldn’t be as bright and Breezy, Victoria and Becky! Victoria, you gave me not only my first coaching role but also the opportunity to showcase my marketing skills at Avon on CONTOUR lol and be your photographer for your royalty retreat, and that’s without our other collaborations and friendship. #watchusnow lmao! (She hates me for bringing that up.) And Becky and Jay, thank you for your faith in me for my first-ever public speaking event with your team. WOW, you have always made me feel welcome, and I’m truly privileged to be an honoured member of the Achievers. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of lamas and Procesco?
I Must include Georgie and Clair, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to turn in such a well-worded rough copy (obviously leaving out the parts about them; I wanted them to hear them bits for the first time on stage) and my partner Phil, who almost knows the speech by heart and for getting most of these incredible shots! I have a newfound confidence in my professionalism and capability because of them, and it’s so refreshing!
All the offers of help for working with me on practising, never did I realise after seven days in the Emirates, I would get help from legends such as Fatima, the men’s Bharani basketball coach, Jonathan Bowman Perks MBE who is a Global Leadership Coach and is in the 2% of Global Podcasters, Leigh Bowman Perks who is a certified Executive Coach, Facilitator and Speaker, just to name a few people that had a significant influence on knowing that I could do it!
Justin Levene, who is a full-time wheelchair athlete, charity mentor and independent living coach; Herb Flight Time Lang, former Harlem Globe Trotter and kindness is free to advocate; Siobhan Fanning, owner of an arts education and entertainment company in the UAE; Sareh Ameri who is not only a founding member of The Ride for Unity but Impact entrepreneur & CSR Strategist, Daniel Bernard the founder of RFU and Sports Industry Investor, Entrepreneur and Strategist, and, of course, Leah Tedrow from Evoke, with all her media training experience that enabled me to have training for the last few years.
To my accountability colleagues, Nene, Loz and Mary-Elizabeth, your advice and pointers for this and accountability help keep my passion alive. Frazer Brookes, thank you for such an incredible career working with you and showing me that I can have confidence! It has been a long journey from being sick talking to him and being sick under a desk before an Avon Live (Ruby, you’ll remember this)!
My mum and dad always said I had it in me, and to show them in 14 minutes how much they’ve taught me about work ethic was a moment to behold. BUT. Without this one person who truly understood me, understood I didn’t want to hide anymore, I couldn’t have written this without so much passion, Terrie; you didn’t change anything; you helped me make sure I wrote with confidence, and you showed me that I could speak the truth about myself for once.
Thank you to everyone, to the 600-strong crowd for my first stage talk, to the growing confidence where I am ready to admit that I am strong and empowered.
In the end, I talked about my letter to my younger self, but it was more than that; it’s now a shining beacon for me to re-live and know that I will be the best I can be and embrace it. I can’t wait to inspire and lead others so we all know how much we rock.
I have so much I want to share with you all, and I can’t wait for it! TBC
Take a look at one part of the Laura Formula with MADCAT – https://laurarocks.uk/madcat/6-proven-strategies-madcat/
The Ride For Unity – https://rideforunity.com/
