A Personal Message from Gail Larsen


You might be surprised to learn that I suffered from a deep-seated fear of public speaking for the better portion of my career, and would have preferred never—ever!—to stand up in front of an audience.

I was first called—or rather, telegrammed—to transform my approach to public speaking in 1981, after receiving a personal invitation from the President of the United States. I’d been awarded the Tennessee Small Businessman of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration and was summoned to the White House. In retrospect, I see I deserved this honor!  After all, my first speech ever was to 4,000 women at the Tennessee Women’s Career Convention, and I was terrified. The Women’s Career Convention was the first event I had ever sponsored and organized, the one that brought me to the attention of business leaders in my community for the positive change it created —and the one that resulted in my nomination.

I had no idea of the magnitude of the honor I was about to receive, nor the number of speaking invitations that would come my way as the first woman to be spotlighted as the small business “man” of the year in my state.

Gail with Seminar Guest

Gail with Seminar Guest

And so, with an unexpected telegram as my impetus, I began what years later I have discovered is my true work— developing the intimate and life-changing practices of Transformational Speaking. But first I had to do it the hard way, as most of us do, taking classes, trying to learn the “right” skills, and in the process obscuring the freshness and originality that created my speaking invitations in the first place.

Thirty years later, I take great joy in public storytelling, and even greater joy in sharing my life’s work with speakers and change artists across the world. The past three decades have carried extraordinary opportunities for learning and leadership—from an executive vice president position at the National Speakers Association where I observed the best of the best, to the study of indigenous wisdom with cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien, to facilitation training at the Institute for Cultural Affairs, to founding partner of the JourneyWell Center for Integrative Health. I’ve grown through studying intuitive guidance with Doreen Virtue, Ph.D. and continuing shamanic practice with several renowned teachers.

My speaking was propelled by my first book, Madame Ovary: Midlife As An Art Form, which helped me to develop a few of my signature voices—and play with comedic vulnerability as a vehicle for self-expression. Only then did I really begin to enjoy taking the stage because I uncovered a great truth that now guides my work: we all have voices we’ve silenced that bring us fully alive, and the feisty, irreverent Madame Ovary was that voice for me. My second book, Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell a Better Story was released in April 2009, and synthesizes my combined experience as a speaker, workshop leader, coach, and seeker of wholeness, packaged with love…and hope for a more compassionate world that works for all of life.

I believe we each have within us a powerful voice for change. That voice may come forth through the spoken or written word, our music or artistic expression, or perhaps in our capacity to sit in silence with a friend or stranger who simply needs the comfort and strength of our presence.

As Gandhi reminded us, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” I invite you to to move through whatever may be stopping you and become a voice for what you love through transformational speaking—and transformational living.

JourneyWell!

Read about Transformational Speaking training

 

Join our Mailing List in Box Below

A Word From Our Clients

Description: Hear from Danielle LaPorte, Michael Hart, Jennifer Louden, Susan Hyatt, Dr. Diane Chung, Julie Daley and Dyana Valentine.

Gail’s Book & Audio Book!

Applause!

"Gail Larsen is the go-to goddess for anyone wishing to take their speaking to a deeper level."
CHRIS JORDAN
Photographic Artist

Our Next Available Program

Transformational Speaking Immersion
Santa Fe, NM, USA

To get started right away, join our online academy.

See Complete Calendar

Follow me!TwitterFacebookLinkedinBlog Categories</h3> </div><div class="art-blockcontent"> <div class="art-blockcontent-cc"></div> <div class="art-blockcontent-body"><a href="https://twitter.com/gaillarsen" target="_blank"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/social-profiles-widget/assets/images/default/Twitter_48x48.png" alt="Twitter" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/transformationalspeaking" target="_blank"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/social-profiles-widget/assets/images/default/Facebook_48x48.png" alt="Facebook" /></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillarsen" target="_blank"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/social-profiles-widget/assets/images/default/Linkedin_48x48.png" alt="Linkedin" /></a><form action="https://realspeaking.com" method="get"><label class="screen-reader-text" for="cat">Blog Categories</label><select name='cat' id='cat' class='postform'> <option value='-1'>Select Category</option> <option class="level-0" value="5">1 Calling All Voices</option> <option class="level-0" value="7">2 The Heart of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="8">3 The Art of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="9">4 The Energetics of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="10">5 The Business of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="1">6 Can’t Help Myself Commentary</option> </select> </form><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function() { var dropdown = document.getElementById( "cat" ); function onCatChange() { if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value > 0 ) { dropdown.parentNode.submit(); } } dropdown.onchange = onCatChange; })(); /* ]]> */ </script> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> <div class="art-footer"> <div class="art-footer-t"></div> <div class="art-footer-body"> <div class="art-content-layout"> <div class="art-content-layout-row"> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_categories" id="categories-2"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Categories</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <ul> <li class="cat-item cat-item-5"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/calling-all-voices/">1 Calling All Voices</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-7"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-heart-of-speaking/">2 The Heart of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-8"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-art-of-speaking/">3 The Art of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-9"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-energetics-of-speaking/">4 The Energetics of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-10"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-business-of-speaking/">5 The Business of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-1"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/cant-help-myself-commentary/">6 Can't Help Myself Commentary</a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_recent_entries" id="recent-posts-3"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Recent Blog Posts</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/books-list-2024/">Books by Transformational Speakers 2024</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/holy-fools-2024/">Holy Fools 2024</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/books-list-2023/">Books by Transformational Speakers 2023</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/emergence/">An emergence story for these times … and all of time</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/birthing-the-new-story-imagining-a-world-that-works-for-all-of-life/">Birthing the New Story! Imagining a World that Works for All of Life</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/4-ways-to-work-with-gail/">4 Ways to Work with Gail</a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_archive" id="archives-2"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Blog Archives</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="archives-dropdown-2">Blog Archives</label> <select id="archives-dropdown-2" name="archive-dropdown"> <option value="">Select Month</option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2024/11/'> November 2024 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2024/04/'> April 2024 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2024/01/'> January 2024 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2021/10/'> October 2021 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2020/11/'> November 2020 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2020/10/'> October 2020 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2020/03/'> March 2020 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2019/04/'> April 2019 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2018/08/'> August 2018 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2018/04/'> April 2018 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2017/06/'> June 2017 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2016/12/'> December 2016 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2015/09/'> September 2015 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2015/03/'> March 2015 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2014/10/'> October 2014 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2014/02/'> February 2014 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2013/07/'> July 2013 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2013/03/'> March 2013 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2012/04/'> April 2012 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2012/03/'> March 2012 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2012/01/'> January 2012 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2011/03/'> March 2011 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/11/'> November 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/08/'> August 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/07/'> July 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/05/'> May 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/11/'> November 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/10/'> October 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/08/'> August 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/06/'> June 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/03/'> March 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/01/'> January 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2008/12/'> December 2008 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2008/11/'> November 2008 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2008/01/'> January 2008 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/08/'> August 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/05/'> May 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/04/'> April 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/03/'> March 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2006/12/'> December 2006 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2006/10/'> October 2006 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2006/07/'> July 2006 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2005/03/'> March 2005 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2004/04/'> April 2004 </option> </select> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function() { var dropdown = document.getElementById( "archives-dropdown-2" ); function onSelectChange() { if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value !== '' ) { document.location.href = this.options[ this.selectedIndex ].value; } } dropdown.onchange = onSelectChange; })(); /* ]]> */ </script> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_search" id="search-3"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Search This Site</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <form method="get" name="searchform" action="https://realspeaking.com/"> <div class="search"> <input name="s" type="text" value="" style="width: 95%;" /> <span class="art-button-wrapper"> <span class="art-button-l"> </span> <span class="art-button-r"> </span> <input class="art-button" type="submit" name="search" value="Search" /> </span> </div> </form> </div></div><div class="art-widget widget widget_text" id="text-6"><div class="art-widget-content"> <div class="textwidget"></br> <a href="https://feeds.feedburner.com/TruthWellSpoken" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="https://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="https://feeds.feedburner.com/TruthWellSpoken" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to Gail's Blog</a></br> </br> </div> </div></div><div class="art-widget widget widget_text" id="text-2"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Contact Gail</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <div class="textwidget">Phone: 1-505-986-8650<br /> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/contact/" target="_blank">Contact Form</a><br /> Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico <br/> USA</div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="art-footer-center"> <div class="art-footer-wrapper"> <div class="art-footer-text"> <p><a href="https://realspeaking.com">Home</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/training/transformationalspeakingimmersion/">The Training</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/transformationalspeaking/">The Book</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/ravereviewsgaillarsen/rave-review/">Rave Reviews</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/gaillarsen/">Gail's Story</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/blog/">Blog</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/media/">Media</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/contact/">Connect</a></p> <p>Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved. Website powered by <a href="https://designsimplex.com" target="_blank">Design Simplex LLC</a>.<br /> Real Speaking is a registered trademark | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a><BR> Real Speaking LLC is a limited liability corporation registered in the state of New Mexico.<BR> <p>  </p> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="wp-footer"> <a id="FollowMeTabRightSm" onClick="showFollowMe()" href="#" style="border-bottom:none;"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/rightsm.gif" border="0" /></a> <div id="FollowMeBubbleBG" style="visibility:hidden;"></div> <div id="FollowMeBubble" style="visibility:hidden;border-bottom:none;"> <div class="top" style="background-image:url('https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_top.gif');width:329px;height:60px;float:left;display:block;border-bottom:none;"> <a id="close" onClick="hideFollowMe()" href="#" style="border-bottom:none"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/close.png" border="0" /> </a> <!-- <a id="grab" target="_blank" title="grab this" href="http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/tools/follow-me/"><span>grab this</span></a>--></div> <div class="mid" style="background-image:url('https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_mid.gif');width:329px;background-repeat:repeat-y;float:left;"> <div id="stretch"> <span><a title="Facebook" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformational-Speaking/189305358912 " rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/facebook.png" border="0" alt="Facebook" /> Facebook</a></span> <span><a title="Twitter" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/gaillarsen" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/twitter.png" border="0" alt="Twitter" /> Twitter</a></span> <span><a title="Youtube" target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/gaillarsen1" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/youtube.png" border="0" alt="Youtube" /> Youtube</a></span> <span><a title="LinkedIn" target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillarsen" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/linkedin.png" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" /> LinkedIn</a></span> <span><a title="RSS" target="_blank" href="https://realspeaking.com/feed" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/rss.png" border="0" alt="RSS" /> RSS</a></span> </div></div> <div class="bottom" style="background-image:url('https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_bottom.gif');height:34px;width:329px;clear:both;float:left;"> <a id="grab" target="_blank" title="grab this" style="border-bottom:none;" href="http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/tools/follow-me/"><span>grab this</span></a> </div> <div class="grab" style="width:329px;clear:both;float:left;"><a style="border-bottom:none;" href="http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/tools/follow-me/"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_grab.gif" /></a></div> </div> <link rel='stylesheet' id='cvg-styles-css' href='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/css/cvg-styles.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='jquery.fancybox-css' href='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/third_party_lib/fancybox_1.3.4/jquery.fancybox-1.3.4.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=6.7.1" id="comment-reply-js" async="async" data-wp-strategy="async"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/page-links-to/dist/new-tab.js?ver=3.3.7" id="page-links-to-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="flagscript-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var FlaGallery = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/realspeaking.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","nonce":"39fae97f34","license":"","pack":""}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/flash-album-gallery/assets/script.js?ver=6.0.2" id="flagscript-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/third_party_lib/jwplayer_7.3.6/jwplayer.js?ver=6.7.1" id="jwplayer-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/third_party_lib/fancybox_1.3.4/jquery.fancybox-1.3.4.pack.js?ver=6.7.1" id="jquery.fancybox-js"></script> <!-- 112 queries. 0.112 seconds. --> </div><style>#global_body_1 img{display:none;}#button10_1{display:none !important;}#button12_1{display:none !important;}#button13_1{display:block !important;}#button1_1{display:block !important;}#button2_1{display:block !important;}#button5_1{display:block !important;}#button6_1{display:block !important;}#spidervideoplayerhtml5_1{background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #a9a9a9; float: left; list-style-type: none !important; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 5px;}#button4_1{display:block !important;}#button3_1{display:block !important;}</style> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery('.video-stream').trigger('pause'); }); </script> </body> </html>