Nikki conquers public speaking fear to give TEDx talk

NIKKI Lloyd is not afraid to talk about death but she was terrified to do it in public until she joined Sandgate Toastmasters.

Brighton’s Nikki Lloyd gave a TEDx talk in Brisbane recently. Picture: Renee McKeown

NIKKI Lloyd is not afraid to talk about death but she was terrified to do it in public until she joined Sandgate Toastmasters.

With the group’s help Mrs Lloyd went from being unable to address a small group to speaking at TEDx Brisbane in front of 500 people.

The Brighton end of life consultant wants to change the conversation about death but first she had to overcome her overwhelming irrational fear of public speaking.

“I could speak in front of friends but I would break out in a sweat if I had to talk in front of a group. I had a crazy fear of opening my mouth,” Mrs Lloyd said.

“I knew if I wanted to do my job properly I had to be able to talk to people about it. A couple of people I know suggested I try Toastmasters so I went to a meeting to have a look.

“I decided I would commit myself to Toastmasters for 12 months and if I didn’t improve I would try something else.

“When I started speaking at Toastmasters, I took a spare shirt because I would sweat so much.

“The feedback from my first couple of speeches was that my speech was good and I looked confident even though I felt really nervous.

“I joined Toastmasters in November 2016 with a goal to speak in front of a group of 45 people at a work function in August 2017 year.

Nikki Lloyd of Brighton speaking at TEDx Brisbane in 2107. Photo: TEDx Brisbane

“I was really surprised how much I enjoyed speaking when you’re talking about something you are passionate about. It was great to speak in front of a crowd and do well.”

Mrs Lloyd said she had always enjoyed watching TED talks and told her husband that one day she would do a TED talk. TED is a non-profit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less).

“When my husband saw TEDx (community based TED talk) was in Brisbane he said I should apply.

“Writing about what I do in 150 words for a one minute talk was the biggest challenge.”

Mrs Lloyd was one of eight selected to make a presentation as part of the day’s event. She won the pitch of the day and received a mentoring package to help develop her business.

“Doing the stand up at TEDx in front of 500 people was the most exhilarating and intimidating thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t break into a cold sweat, I felt fantastic.

“If you had told me 12 months ago I would be talking at a TED conference, I wouldn’t have believed you.”