As a nationally touring college circuit speaker, award-winning standup comedian, and certified life coach, Elaine Williams provides public speaking coaching advice to both beginning and experienced speakers, helping them deliver engaging videos and presentations with ease. Her focus on real skills enables speakers to overcome their nerves to deliver content that connects and entertains audiences so they stop and click or stand and clap.
TWEET: “#Comedy made my life make sense for the first time.” @elainetweets
The One Consistent Thing:
What do I do with my pain? It’s a question we all have to answer when hard times come, and we know they do come to all of us. Elaine explains the relief she felt in using her personal pain to help others. After growing up in a very dysfunctional family, facing many problems, Elaine found musical theater to be the one consistent thing in her life. Musical theater has something for everyone, and it became a great outlet for her and is the passion she credits for saving her life.
TWEET: “All of this #pain was so I could help others.”@elainetweets
Finding Gold:
Do you find it hard to talk about the tough times in your life? It’s talking about them that can help change the attitudes of others. Dealing with hard issues takes bravery, but sharing your experiences can help others realize they aren’t alone in their difficulties. Elaine says that “the gold is found in the things that were most horrific for you.”
TWEET:
When you don’t feel “good enough”:
How much attention do you pay to the advertising around you? For most of us, the answer is probably that we notice it WAY more than we should. Most advertising tells men and women that we aren’t good enough. The scary part is that these messages that imply our failure come at us from every direction and at lightning speed. Elaine shares how she endeavors to change the attitudes of the college students she addresses. Just remember, we are all flawed and imperfect—even the people we see in advertisements.
TWEET: “Be careful who you’re emulating.” @elainetweets
Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take—“One of my mentors talks about baby steps. Every dream starts with small steps. If you want to be an actor or a comedian, then go take a class. Give yourself permission to start the journey.”
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:
- [1:25] Elaine’s story of searching
- [7:10] The lightbulb moment: how comedy led to the college circuit
- [12:35] Being a testament to tough times
- [15:50] Never say never!
- [18:45] The picture of ideal life that isn’t always reality
- [21:07] How each generation struggles
- [23:55] Why you shouldn’t strive for perfection
- [25:45] Accepting that you don’t need to be hard on yourself
- [29:05] Women supporting women
- [32:20] How we get caught up in reactions
- [34:35] Elaine’s ONE action for a dream chaser to take
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
Elaine’s website – Claim your free gift, Elaine’s Story Connect Tool, at www.captivatethecrowd.com/gift
Elaine on Twitter
Elaine on Facebook
Elaine on LinkedIn
TWEETS YOU CAN USE:
TWEET: “Because we see #perfection all around us, we forget that we are all flawed and #imperfect.” @elainetweets
TWEET: “ #Women don’t have to compete with each other for the caveman anymore.” @elainetweets
TWEET: “Hurt people hurt people.” @elainetweets
