From High School Dropout to Speaking Coach – My Journey to Finding My Voice

At 14 years old, I walked out of the school gates for the last time, not knowing what life had in store for me. I didn’t just leave the classroom behind; I left with the belief that I wasn’t smart enough to succeed. I thought I was a failure, convinced that education—and success—just wasn’t for people like me. What I didn’t know then was that my journey had only just begun, and that one day, I would stand in front of hundreds of people, teaching them how to speak with confidence, conviction, and charisma.

This is the story of how I went from a high school dropout to a speaking coach.

Facing Challenges: ADHD, Trauma, and Feeling Misunderstood

Growing up wasn’t easy. ADHD wasn’t widely recognised at the time, and neither were the effects of childhood trauma. I was often distracted, restless, and overwhelmed by the traditional school environment. No one could understand why I struggled, and I didn’t have the tools or the language to explain it myself. All I knew was that I didn’t fit in, and I started believing that there was something wrong with me.

This feeling of being misunderstood followed me for years. I worked hard in various jobs, but I still carried the weight of feeling inadequate. I saw the world through the lens of someone who wasn’t “good enough,” and it wasn’t until much later that I began to realise those struggles were shaping me into the person I would become.

Finding a New Path: How Public Speaking Changed My Life

At 27, I reluctantly attended a training workshop led by Dr. Rich Allen, an educational icon in his field. I wasn’t thrilled to be there; I had never thought of myself as someone who could thrive in a learning environment. But something clicked during that workshop. Dr. Allen didn’t just talk at us—he used interactive methods, connecting with the room through storytelling, visuals, and engagement. For the first time, I saw education as something that could be exciting and, most importantly, accessible to me.

That experience opened the door to a new world. I realised that public speaking and teaching could be about more than just delivering information—it could be about creating connection and understanding. I started to see public speaking as a way to not only share knowledge but also to help others feel seen, heard, and understood.

Turning Adversity into Strength: Embracing My Unique Voice

Over the years, I began to embrace the very things I once saw as obstacles. My ADHD and trauma weren’t barriers to communication—they were tools that helped me connect with others on a deeper level. I started to understand that my experiences made me relatable. They allowed me to stand in front of people who also felt like they didn’t fit in and show them that they could still succeed.

I realised that the key to effective communication wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being real. When I speak, I bring my full story with me. I don’t hide the fact that I struggled in school, or that I doubted my abilities. Instead, I use those experiences to show others that they can overcome their own obstacles.

Empowering Others to Find Their Voice

Today, as a speaking coach, I help people from all walks of life find their voice, just as I found mine. Whether they’re dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, or fear of failure, I help them see that their stories are their strengths. I teach them how to turn their challenges into powerful tools for connection, showing them that they are more than capable of standing in front of an audience and speaking with confidence.

I’ve learned that our voices are powerful, not despite our pasts, but because of them. It’s my mission to help others discover that same power within themselves.