Client: Alix King.
Coach: Jackie Goddard
The Challenge: A former journalist and creative professional with 15 years of experience working in male-dominated industries, Alix faced a significant obstacle that threatened to limit her career growth. Following a moped accident that resulted in a brain injury, she developed an acute fear of public speaking—something that had never been an issue before the injury.
“Before that I could have got up and spoken to an audience and I would have been OK, but since then I realized that it had knocked my confidence… I had this immediate fear, and you talk about it—you just stop and you are frozen.”
Despite her professional background and natural storytelling abilities, this mental barrier prevented her from pursuing speaking opportunities she knew would benefit her career.
The Solution: Structured Coaching at The Speaker Club
Recognising that the limitation was “just in my head,” Alix sought my help through The Speaker Club, Power To Speak’s monthly group session. Her goal was to speak at Failed Nights, a pre-event gathering held before Creator Day, a major creative industry conference.
Key Coaching Elements
- Safe Environment for Vulnerability. The group session, facilitated by me, created a supportive space where she could work through the emotional aspects of her story without judgment.
“It was a really safe space at your clubs and everybody that was there… they’re so encouraging… they all would back you and give you support.”
- Audience-Centred Approach. A critical breakthrough came when I shifted her perspective from personal narrative to audience value.
“The shift was when you said to me… it’s for those people—what are they going to get from it, not just my story… what am I hoping them to take away with them. That massively shifted my talk.”
- Strategic Structure Development. Through multiple iterations and storyboarding sessions, I helped her create a compelling narrative arc with proper context and a “backbone” that tied everything together.
The Results
Success! Alix delivered her talk at the Failed Nights event, sharing vulnerable personal experiences including her accident, brain injury, and journey back to confidence. She received overwhelming positive feedback with audience members praising her bravery and vulnerability. At the main conference, the following day numerous attendees approached her to commend her performance.
Lasting Transformation
“It’s addictive. It’s a rush like no other and I wanted it again… It’s changed my mind. I have no problem now with going to do [speaking].”
Speaking for Alix has opened new opportunities. Multiple people have suggested venues and events for future speaking engagements.
“I’ve finally said yes and I can say that about myself – that I am brave.”
Key Success Factors
- Professional diagnosis of the root issue: Understanding that post-injury fear was psychological, not a permanent limitation.
- Structured methodology: Using storyboarding and iterative refinement rather than ad-hoc preparation.
- Audience-first mentality: Shifting focus from personal catharsis to audience value.
- Supportive community: Peer encouragement during vulnerable practice sessions.
- Strategic narrative construction: Finding the “thread” that gave context and structure to personal storytelling.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates how professional public speaking coaching can help individuals overcome significant psychological barriers to become confident, sought-after speakers. The transformation from “frozen” fear to addictive enthusiasm occurred through structured support, strategic reframing, and a safe environment for vulnerability.
Alix’s journey proves that even serious setbacks—including brain injury—need not be permanent limitations when the right coaching approach addresses both the technical and emotional dimensions of public speaking.
“I can do it. I’ve done it before. It’s in me. There’s this thing that’s stopping me, but it is just in my head, and I need help with it.” —Alix on why she sought coaching