What’s Your Story?

March 15, 2020

My life changed on June 14, 2018.  The announcer called my name, I took a deep breath and climbed the steps to the stage, excitement and nervousness fueling each step toward the coveted red circle.  It was my time to give my TEDx talk. 

After three months of working with a coach and having an immense team supporting me this should be easy right?  I didn’t need a teleprompter because this was MY STORY and it was embedded in every cell of my body, in fact, I realized, I had been preparing for this talk nearly my entire life.

Getting to TEDx

I shared my story in front of an audience of more than 1,400 Johnson & Johnson colleagues, along with family and friends, at TEDxJNJ Elevate 18, a full-day J&J Development Month event in New Jersey.  My TEDx talk was titled The Power of Storytelling.   In it, I shared details of a struggle with anorexia that began in childhood, and my complicated pathway to parenthood as an adoptive and biological mother.

Fifteen speakers were selected to speak at this exclusive J&J-sponsored TEDx event. The TEDx program was created to help communities, organizations and individuals spark deep conversations in the spirit of TED’s mission, “Ideas Worth Spreading.” To qualify, applicants submitted a detailed outline of their proposed talks and then interviewed by a committee.

Summoning the courage to share the stories that shape me brings authenticity to my world.

Even before presenting my TEDx talk, I learned about the power of personal stories when I collaborated with two colleagues used the CaringCrowd® platform to raise funds for Project HEAL, a non-profit that assists people who can’t afford treatment for eating disorders. The response was modest at first.  But when we posted our personal stories of recovery, the pledges rolled in and we exceeded our $10,000 fundraising goal.        

Sharing the stories that shaped me has been more impactful in my overall recovery and well-being than all the hours I’ve spent in therapy! 

What’s Your Story has evolved into workshops where I share the “recipe” for telling a personal or business story in a way that immediately ENGAGES your audience.  Allow me partner with you so that you can answer the question: What’s Your Story? 

Best,

~ Robyn