Game Changer Public Speaker Bootcamp Interview with Dr. Terah

Hello, hello, hello. Welcome everyone. Welcome everyone. This is part 2, interview part 2 with Game Changer speakers who have gone through the Game Changer Public Speaker Bootcamp. I'm your host Kenston Henderson, and I have the honor, the privilege. I feel so blessed to have a person with me who happens to be my bestie friend, my, uh, my bae, my wife bae, the love of my life, the cherry on my cheesecake, the apple of my pie, my sweet potato soufflé casserole dish, uh, Dr. Tira Henderson, aka wife bae., and I'm so pumped to interview her. I'm gonna share a little bit about her, but then she's going to share a little bit about herself as we get this party started. And so, uh, Dr. Tierra Henderson empowers individuals to prioritize mental health, offering rich expertise and practical strategies for busy business leaders to achieve work-life harmony and well-being. That's all I'm going to say, Dr. Tia. But is there anything you want to add to our listeners to give them a little glimpse of who you are?

Yeah, I mean, I think you pretty much covered it. We don't have to drown them out with all of that, but I think just some of the highlights really is, you know, I'm an author as well, and I have been in the higher education space for about 11-ish years. So that's a little bit about my background, but I love everything mental health related. I say I like to live, breathe, and just talk about mental health as much as I can to really just empower those to make it a priority in their lives versus it being just something that's on their back— on the back burner.

Awesome, that's awesome, that's awesome. I mean, and you didn't tell them the best part though.

The best part of coffee shop popping. Is that the best part?

I mean, no, that's definitely not the best part.

I am also the COO and Chief Mental Health Educator, uh, with Live With Life. So that has been a really great journey so far. And yeah, continue growing, continue expanding and impacting.

Let's go, let's go, let's go! Well, I'm so pumped, um, to, to have you, to interview you today regarding the, the Game Changer Public Speaking Bootcamp. You were part of the first one. And I can remember, as I thought we were preparing for it, you was like, no, honey, I want to be a part of it. Like, I want to be in this session. So what made you want to get into the Game Changer Bootcamp, Speaker Bootcamp, as a participant rather than, you know, just helping me out like you usually do?

Yeah, I mean, I did that too, but I'd also say, you know, I am a lifelong learner, and, you know, just being in a space where I knew that I had areas to grow in, I think that really was what I was looking for. I knew I needed to refine my message. I needed to sharpen my voice as a communicator. So therefore, I knew that just being in this space, not just as an observer, but as a participant would be just mutually beneficial. And, you know, I needed the extra push. I don't necessarily desire all the time to be pushed, but I needed that extra push, especially given the, you know, the goals and aspirations that I had around that time. And even now, honestly.

Yeah, that's awesome, that's awesome. So, I mean, You've been a professor, have been a professor for over 10 years. Like, why, you know, why did you feel like this was a necessary step for you to take to increase your, your public speaking skills?

Yeah, I knew that I was going into different environments. So being in the classroom was my comfort zone. And I knew that I wanted to expand to conducting workshops, webinars, to keynotes, and I knew that it would tap into just a different part of who I am. So I needed to know exactly how to show up in those spaces. For example, something as what most may think of as being simple, something like stage presence. Those things were important for me to understand and, you know, just not expect because I am good in this area, that all of that would be transferable to other areas. There's more to learn, there's more to just gravitate and to expand upon.

That's awesome. That's awesome. So tell me about this. So I understand and know that people face different fears as it relates to public speaking. What was maybe a small fear that you had or have whenever you get ready to speak?

Oh, you said just one. So I'd say the main one is second-guessing myself. Yes, you feel the nerves, you feel all of those things. I knew that I had to really just hone in on what I have to bring is important, it's valuable for the audience that is in front of me, and I need to stand in that level of confidence. So I think one of the main fears or areas in which I had to grow in was not second-guessing the message that I had to deliver and to really just sit in that space of realizing that it's not about me. Yes, I have things to get over, but it's really not about me. It's about those that are in the room who are receiving what it is that I I have to give because I'm in there for a reason.

It's so good. That's so good. Uh, so a little bit about the— going into a little bit about the Speaker Boot Camp. Now, it is my goal, and those who are going to be signing up and registering soon, as the date is coming up, that registration is, is coming to an end very soon, so you want to get in there. But one of the things I, I encourage people in the, in the Speaker Boot Camp is I want to give them experiences that they may have not willingly wanted to dive into themselves, or they, they won't do so themselves. And so without telling them, you know, what's going to happen in the speaker boot camp, you know, did you have some of those moments where you were like, uh-oh, what is about to happen? And how did you work through it?

Oh, I did not like the task, even though I knew that it was beneficial and that it was what I needed. For me, I am a planner, I'm a detail-oriented person, and I want to know all of the things beforehand, which in real life, it— life doesn't always go that way. So I think in the spaces and the scenarios and the, the areas that you placed us in that warranted a level of discomfort were necessary. Yet at the same time, it was extremely valuable, I'd say, for just the next level and spaces that we were going to go into.

Yeah. So listen, Dr. Tira has told you that I'm going to nudge you. And any good coach, any good facilitator speaker is going to nudge you to become better, to become your best. And so get ready, I will be using my famous words, lean in, lean in, lean in, so that way you can become an even more effective communicator. This is so good, it's so good. So let's see, what tools and tips or frameworks, you know, stood out most during the boot camp for you? Anything that stood out for you?

I'd say really just honing in on the structure of how to create talks stood out for me because I used to imagine that people would just, you know, just go up there and they'll just speak. And maybe some people do, but there is a purpose behind different parts of speaking engagements and those opportunities. So I think I think once I was able to understand that, that kind of helped me sort through the clutter that may have been in my head to really just fine-tune it for whatever talk it is that I'm about to do. Whether it's a keynote, there's a specific framework for that. Whether it's a workshop or whatever, you know, whatever that area might look like, we were able to maneuver through those frameworks. And not just that, it wasn't just information, but we were able to practice those within the time frame that we had. And that was extremely useful because I'm more of a visual learner. I mean, I love to write things down and all of that, but visually and, uh, being in that space and also having a hands-on approach, I think really just put it all together for me.

Yeah, yeah. And so, uh, I know you've been along with me when we've when I've conducted this workshop with youth and young adults. And, you know, we put them in some situations that helped them, I believe, helped them grow and become even better communicators at a younger age. And so it is, you know, it's one of my goals and my passions to equip youth as young as we can get them. I know KJ, he's been, you know, keeping an eye on us and been a part of these things. But having him alongside to give them the skill of public speaking. Because I know, you know, in the research that you've done is that public speaking is the number one fear that people have. Like, people would rather die than to get up and speak in front of people and speak out, whether it's in staff meetings, whether it's doing presentations, whether it is you know, you know, speaking on in church, speaking, you know, in front of groups of people, like people are so afraid of that. And so one of the things that we'll talk about in the boot camp is how to really get your mindset right on facing everything and rising versus allowing false evidence to appear real. And you really succumb to those, that negative thinking. Um, so, uh, yeah, you got something.

Yeah, can I add to that? Um, I'd say that, you know, when it comes to public speaking, especially for those individuals where they might have grown up in a space where their voice was silenced, that can be just a debilitating space to live in. So I'd say even coming from you know, just a history of feeling like, quote unquote, my voice didn't matter. There is that overcoming of that hurdle, which is a big one sometimes for individuals. And I think once you're able to get to that point, it's not that you don't see that there's value in public speaking, it's what obstacles are in the way from me getting to this space of sharing my voice, of sharing what I have to offer. So I think, you know, just even in a boot camp, when we had like reflective moments, it's unearthing or unraveling what is in the way of you doing X, Y, and Z. And I'd even say for those that are introverted in nature, sometimes we wear that as a badge of honor, but there is space and there is room for you in— as a CEO, there's space and there's room, uh, in the boardrooms, uh, in the community spaces, in your church, in your, you know, fill-in-the-blank area. There is space, there is room. It's just knowing how to articulate what it is that you have to share to the best of your ability and not second-guessing that whatever you have is valuable. So again, I think even just those barriers, if we sit in that space of allowing barriers to just prevent us from doing the thing such as public speaking, then I mean, who's waiting on us to to finish? Who's waiting on us to, to share? Like, you may have the key to unlock that very thing that someone is walking through. So again, you know, I just want to encourage the person that may be watching who feels as if their voice has been silenced, or, you know, whatever, fill in the blank— I'm an introvert, I'm a this, I'm a that— that's preventing you from taking that next step.

That is so good. That is so good. And again, those who are watching this, watching the replay back, I want you to answer this question of what is stopping you from speaking publicly, because we're going to explore that in the session because we got to get to the root. Now, you know, uh, Dr. Tira, she gonna be there. We might need to go through some additional things for the counseling piece of it. However, we want you to conquer. We want you to walk through the necessary steps so that you can open your mouth and speak because you have a story. No one can tell your story the way you can. I'ma say that again. No one can tell your story, your experiences the way you can. And someone is waiting on the other side of you opening your mouth, pushing past those things, those barriers to deliver the message that a specific audience that is called to you is waiting for you to release. And so I want to encourage you, even now, before you even get to the boot camp, think about it. What has silenced your voice? What has stopped you? What is— what are those barriers that you need to tackle? Because we're going to deal with them, because again, it's so important that we deal with them. Dr. T?

Yeah. Um, as you were talking, I just thought about life after, uh, the boot camp, and one specific, uh, Engagement comes to mind when we went to the Bahamas and we spoke with some administrators at actually at my one of my former elementary schools. And I remember my former principal and first grade teacher came up to me afterwards. This was when I asked her to take a picture with me and she was standing in amazement like, wow, this cannot be the same Tira. This cannot be the same shy You know, girl who didn't want to speak up in class, who didn't want to, and now look at you. And I credit, you know, part of that is, you know, just the repetition that I received in the boot camp and in subsequent speaking engagements. You know, it's not always going to be easy, you know, but I think the biggest thing you can do is to give your yes, and not just that, but actually show up in this space. I think if you— if the possibilities are endless, honestly.

That is so good. That is so good. So, so tell me this. So tell me this. You, you live with me, you've traveled with me, you've spoken on the same stages as, as I have. Like, you know, for the person who's coming or on the fence about coming to the boot camp and they are already a speaker, what would you encourage them with? Why should they come?

Well, I think it lends back to one of my previous conversations earlier on where there's always something to learn. For me specifically, yes, I spoke in different environments, but I have not been a TEDx speaker yet. So that's something that I can glean from you in this space. I can come with those questions um, specifically if I am looking towards being like a professional speaker. I've not reached that space yet. So there are— and it's not even just that, it's just being in a room as well with like-minded individuals who have the same goal in mind, to refine their message, refine their skills, to show up as their best selves, um, to walk in confidence. All of these things, like, there's so much that goes beyond just teachings, the principles. It's actually doing life with, uh, the individuals that are in that room with you. And we've seen that happen, um, in real time. Those that connected in the first boot camp literally, you know, are still connected to this day and showing up for each other at their different, uh, speaking engagements. So it's much more than just, I am already doing XYZ. So I'm not going to show up, you know. I think it will also be helpful for that individual to reflect on, well, what has been the feedback that I've been receiving? Have you even been collecting feedback when you do your speaking engagements, or are you just going off of what you think is best for your audience? But if you have been receiving feedback, then let's work on how to— what are we going to accept, what are we going to refine? Let's work on that in real time. You know, because the goal isn't to just remain at the same level, but it's to go, to go higher and higher in your gift and your craft. So again, it's so much that you can receive just being in the room.

That's awesome. That's awesome. Thanks for sharing that, because again, public speaking isn't just for, you know, whether it's people on stage, whether you just want to speak up more as a leader. You wanna communicate better with your team. You may not be a title leader, but you still wanna communicate at your best. This speaker bootcamp is for you. There's something in there for everyone. And the thing about what we pride ourselves on at Live With Life is delivering EPIC Experiences Guaranteed Guaranteed, meaning every presentation is customized to the learner. And so whether you are a newbie of wanting to speak up more in the workplace, or you desire to, you know, do presentations, facilitations, trainings, or get on the stage, like, we are going to put you through some scenarios. It's gonna be all— it's gonna be action. You know, we're gonna learn the terminology, but we're gonna— main thing is going to put things into action because that's how you're going to learn best. Um, being in training development, uh, for such a long time, being a part of— being in HR for over 20 years, being a public speaker for over 20 years, listen, I know what it takes. And, and now, uh, you know, Dr. T-Rex, she's alongside me and she gets all the goodies. Um, but we just want to come alongside you as you're on your journey on, on leveling up as a more effective communicator. And so we encourage you to, to sign up, sign up quickly. The, the, the showtime date is coming up quickly, and so we want to prepare. We have materials coming to you, we have lunch coming to you, that's all included. You have a certificate that you will receive, you actually get SHRM credits if you are SHRM certified. There's so much that's going to be an added value to you, but it's going to be on you to lock in. And so those who may be on a fence, you have to answer the question of, what am I waiting for? Is now the perfect time? It absolutely— it may not be, but it should be. You may have to cancel some things, you may have to set aside some things, but you have to really just think about, how serious do I want to be at bettering myself as a speaker, as a speaking in public. Okay, um, Dr. Tiwa, any last thoughts before we close this out?

Um, I'd say that, you know, if you are a person that's on the fence, uh, what really— just really understanding what's underneath that, because this, yes, it's an investment. It's an investment of time, it's an investment of energy, it's an investment of resources, Um, it's— yeah, but it's worth it. And I'd say that, you know, for me personally, at first I was on the fence. I was like, okay, am I gonna do this and that? You know, I was on the fence, uh, initially, but once I gave my yes, I think, you know, that really unlocked that much more, um, for me. So again, like, if you have any questions, I say reach out. DM Kenston Henderson CSP EPIC Experiences Guaranteed, um, you know, just ask the questions that you need to ask, uh, just to get any, um, anything out of the way, um, because again, uh, it's valuable, it's engaging. You can rest assured that he'll bring the energy, uh, and that you'll be in great company. Um, I'd also say, like, for me, I'd, I'd say one of the things that I had to overcome as well is just thinking that I had to present or relate like someone else. I think that this— not even I think, I know that this bootcamp really just hones in on that space of you connecting with your level of authenticity, what it is that you have that is your secret sauce, that is personal to you. I think that this bootcamp really helps with that as well. So again, if you're someone that's confused, that doesn't even know what your style is, all of these things are unpacked. In the boot camp. And again, you leave with just, just a more clear understanding of not just who you are, but the message that you have to bring and yeah, the tools to go along with it. So that's what I have to say. Hope we see you there. And this has been a great time just, you know, sharing my experience and all that good stuff.

All right. All right. We are about to engage in some dinner now. So thank you, everyone who has joined us. Uh, we want it back, watch it again, share with a friend, um, or a co-worker or a leader who needs to get these necessary skill sets to take them to another level. Um, in the session today with, um, our young adults, you know, we talked about the benefits of being able to speak well, to communicate well, and there's so many benefits that come along with it, you know, building better relationships, building better friendships, stronger relationships, stronger friendships, and job opportunities come, leadership opportunities come when you're able to speak more effectively. Even promotions, even business comes by way of your ability to be able to speak like a game changer. So we hope to see you there. Until then, peace. See ya.