It’s a pretty accepted fact that one of mankind’s greatest fears, beyond pain or death, is public speaking. Well, I knew that very fear all too well. I am no different than anybody else in that regard. But I couldn’t let that stop me and I couldn’t let my fear of public speaking be another one of those things that knocked me down. Otherwise I would never have a chance to tell people what’s in my heart. Instead I started getting up in front of audiences – small at first and – and gave myself a little OJT – and I started to be OK with it. And then I was coached and practiced more, got in front of larger groups, realized that a combination of my more polished speaking and my message mattered to other people, won them over and finally recognized I had overcome my fear of public speaking. Now, instead, it is replaced with excitement and a desire to do better every time I have the chance. As we are kicking off my upcoming book tour with the release of “Live Courageously”, we are scheduling some exciting appearances and so now I am actually working with an off Broadway professional speech and choreography coach, I will have stage dressing and audio visual support and will be in full stunt woman protective gear when I enter the stage. As my talk progresses, I will actually shed most of that protective gear. It is a metaphor for things that protect us behind which we hide. As a stuntwoman, yes, I need protection. I didn’t actually die 8 times on the Titanic – look for a future blog on that subject – thanks to protective gear. But in life, to be self-realized it is essential that we shed those things behind which we are only hiding. But whatever you do, just don’t ask me to take off my MAC makeup.