Transforming Stage Presence Through Story
Coach: Jackie Goddard
Client: Shelley Röstlund – Brand Strategist, Podcast Host, and Founder of Brand Compass
Background: Experienced professional within the You Are The Media community with valuable expertise to share but previous negative stage experiences that had left her avoiding the spotlight.
The Challenge
Mark Masters, founder of You Are The Media, asked Shelley to speak at the Creator Day event in Poole, Dorset—a vote of confidence from someone she trusted who saw value in her message for the 200 entrepreneurs, business owners, and students attending.
The Problem
Despite having presented to large audiences before, Shelley’s previous experiences were traumatic:
- Coming off stage feeling uncomfortable
- Unable to remember the experience
- Convinced she’d wasted everyone’s time
- Terrified of the “bobbing heads beyond the lights”
- Fear of not being funny
“I was a bumbling insecure mess at one point – because I didn’t think my stories had any value or would be interesting.”
The Stakes
Shelley knew she had an important message to share but was reluctant to put herself through the experience again. However, she trusted Mark’s judgment, recognised the opportunity’s value, and wanted her message to land with impact. Plus, this time, she wanted to remember the experience.
The Coaching Solution: Power to Speak’s Get Your Story Straight programme
The programme is designed to uncover stories that resonate with the audience’s heart. Shape content for clarity and engagement and ensure performance readiness.
Over several weeks of preparation with multiple in-person and online sessions we…
- Identified which inspiring stories would best convey her message.
- Created a flow covering all important points.
- Designed a journey that would leave audiences feeling something and remembering the core message.
The Emotional Work:
This wasn’t just technical coaching—it required vulnerability and trust.
“By having to work with my speaking coach, Jackie, to think back and pull on stories that would help punctuate and underline the points in my talk… it was DAMN HARD.”
The coaching addressed multiple layers:
- Previous experiences and anxieties.
- Message clarity.
- Outcomes for Shelley personally.
- Intended outcomes for Mark and the audience.
- Which stories had genuine value (even when Shelley doubted them.)
- The Trust Factor.
“I had to trust Jackie and just share them. End of.”
This trust was crucial—Shelley needed external perspective to overcome her internal doubts about whether her stories mattered.
The Results
She did it! I was there and can report, that in fact – she smashed it! Even better than that, she remembers the whole experience! After months of preparation, Shelley delivered to 200 peers with confidence and presence.
“I was literally blown back by the fact that people could relate to my stories, and some even felt like I was telling their story too. Which was so moving for me.”
The very stories she doubted had value created deep connection with her audience.
The confidence didn’t stop at the stage. Shelley has committed to ongoing storytelling:
“I’ve been trying hard on LinkedIn and Instagram to share a few things each week which are personal and less thought-out and share some of my history and of course my present.”
Measurable Results:
- Increased engagement on social media
- More conversations in real life
- Direct connection requests from people resonating with her stories
From “I don’t think my stories have any value” to actively playing with personal stories and encouraging others to do the same.
“Honestly – the money is almost ‘by the by’. Investing in your help is a lifetime investment in yourself. The advice and guidance and physical practice you give is a gift that will keep on giving into the future.”
On Future Plans:
“The beauty for me now – is that if I do get another speaking gig – I will come back and work with you… Can I have a loyalty card please? Feel like I’m gonna need it.”
“You are definitely a genius – gentle, talented…but tenacious!”
Professional performance training made the technical difference.
Critical Insights
During the post-talk debrief, Shelley articulated a core principle:
“You can’t delegate telling your story and sharing your message to anyone else.”
The coaching didn’t tell her story for her—it helped her discover which stories to tell and how to tell them authentically.
The stories Shelley doubted would interest anyone became the most relatable parts of her talk—some audience members felt she was telling their story too. And conquering her stage fright created confidence that extended to her social media, networking, and everyday interactions.
Shelley’s journey demonstrates:
- Previous bad experiences don’t have to define you – with proper support, you can completely transform your relationship with public speaking
- Your stories matter more than you think – what feels ordinary to you often resonates deeply with others
- Confidence compounds – stage success builds confidence that extends across all communication
- Investment in yourself pays lifetime dividends – skills learned continue benefiting future opportunities
Conclusion
Shelley’s case study proves that public speaking coaching can transform not just a single talk, but your entire relationship with sharing your story. By combining theatrical expertise, strategic content development, and emotional support, coaching can turn uncomfortable, forgotten experiences into confident, memorable performances that create genuine audience connection.
The journey from “bumbling insecure mess” to “I smashed it” isn’t just about technique—it’s about trusting the process, valuing your stories, and finding your authentic voice with expert guidance.
Client Testimonials:
“The advice and guidance and physical practice you give is a gift that will keep on giving into the future… I could not have done my talk without you.”
“Her decades of theatrical experience and training actors herself are like gold dust when you work with her… Think of it as a journey with Jackie. Together you reach your destination which is to ultimately shine the way YOU want to.” — Shelley Röstlund, Brand Strategist and Founder of Brand Compass
Final Verdict: “I think more people need to know what a genius she really is.”