Shannon Talbot - Human Connection Expert

What’s one thing you’re genuinely good at that has absolutely nothing to do with your job?

Mine is 90s hip hop lyrics. Jump Around & Salt-N-Pepa are my go-tos.

Your turn!

“Shannon, I think you should stop speaking.”

That’s what my doctor told me three years ago after I had an anxiety attack the day before speaking to 600 people.

My response?

“Never going to happen. Speaking is one of my favourite things to do in the world.”

Thankfully, instead of quitting, I got support.

My coach, Robb Gilbear, helped me see the full picture:

• First time speaking to an audience that big
• Sandwiched between a TV comedian and an award-winning speaker
• First time flying for a speaking engagement
• Brand new audience (government vs. corporate)
• And I was sharing part of my father-in-law’s story just weeks after he passed

My anxiety started at the Toronto airport.

It ended the second I walked into that conference room.

Calm. Focused. Exactly where I wanted to be.

I could have taken that anxiety attack as a sign to stop.

Instead, I took it as a sign to get support and keep going.

Three years later, speaking makes up most of my business.

I still get nervous.
I still sometimes feel like I might puke.
I still LOVE it.

Anxiety and fear aren’t always cues to quit.
Sometimes they’re cues that something really matters to you.

Oh, and when I walked on stage that day?
The power went out.

Everyone laughed. Including me.

P.S. My therapist taught me the simplest (and silliest) trick for anxiety. Want me to share it?