Full Circle: Returning to TEDx Surrey as a Speaker Coach

Two years ago, I stood next to those bright red letters, heart pounding, palms tingling, and voice steadying as I stepped into one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life: giving my TEDx talk, “Is There More to Silence Than Just Silence?”.

This year, I’m back at TEDx Surrey — but not as a speaker. This time, I’m on the other side of the stage as a speaker coach.

Once a speaker, now a coach.

The tables have turned… and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

Instead of nervously waiting for my  name to be called, I’m now the one offering calm encouragement, helping others refine their ideas, strengthen their delivery, and shine in their own unique way.

I’ve gone from being coached to coaching. And honestly, it feels like coming home. There’s something beautifully poetic about this role reversal.

It’s still all about connection — the kind that moves ideas, hearts, and minds forward.

As a speaker, I learned how much courage it takes to distill your life’s passion into a few powerful minutes. As a coach, I now see that same courage reflected in the eyes of each new TEDx hopeful — that mix of excitement, vulnerability, and determination that says, “This matters to me.”

My promise to each of them is simple: to show up with care and attention, to listen deeply, and to use every mindful communication skill I’ve honed to support their journey. Whether it’s helping with pacing, stage presence, or simply managing those pre-show, I’m there to remind them that their message matters. And, that they’ve got this.

It’s also a humbling reminder that we can be both teacher and student at any age or stage. While I’m guiding speakers, I’m also learning from them. I'm learning about their ideas, their vulnerability, and gaining their trust which I value above all things.,

So here I am again, part of the TEDx Surrey family, just wearing a different hat (one with a coach’s headset instead of a mic!). And it feels exactly right.

Because whether you’re standing centre stage on that bright red dot or cheering from the sidelines, it’s still all about connection — the kind of connection that moves ideas, hearts, and minds forward.

And that, to me, is what TEDx is all about.