Are you ready?

by Lauri

My knees buckled when the stage manager called me at 5:30 on a Sunday evening.

I was understudying the lead in a 3-hour play.

It was 2019, and our house was full of people who’d gathered to watch the SF 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks showdown game. When a guest offered me a drink, I jokingly said I had to wait until at least 30 minutes before showtime – just in case.

My face dropped as my phone rang just seconds later. My now husband said my face went white with a look of terror he’d never seen before.

“I really wish I was making this phone call in a few weeks,” the stage manager said. “Get to the theatre as fast as you can. You’re going on in less than 90 minutes.”

We hadn’t even finished the first Understudy rehearsal!

I grabbed a bunch of make-shift costume pieces, ran to my car in the pouring rain, and drove 45 minutes to the theatre.

Just before curtain, I set down my necklace with my “Believe” charm, my leadership penguin charm, and the charm that held my mother’s ashes on my spot in the dressing room.

I sourced my leadership tribe and my ancestors, and channeled every bit of magic that was meant to flow through me that night.

The show began with me alone onstage delivering a 7-minute monologue directly to the audience. There was one moment, about two minutes in, when I had no idea what came next.

I inhaled, and a line came to me.

I looked it up later and found that, while it was one of my favorite lines, I’d skipped just seven words.

By the end of the play every soul in that theatre was pulsing and riding waves of energy together.

During the curtain call my cast mates and I were wrapped up in a wave of energy and sound as the full house applauded.

Bruce Lee said, “We do not rise to the occasion, we fall back on our training.”

In addition to a lifetime of training (I’d been acting since I was 7) I’d prepared for this moment by practicing up on my feet, doing the entire show in our home office and running lines with anyone who would read with me. I knew the words to say. More importantly, I knew how to come alive and embody them.

I believe I fell back on a lifetime of training in order to rise to the occasion.

My lifetime of powerful theatre and leadership training taught me many things – most importantly that my true power does not come from control or having all my ducks in a row.

My power lies in surrendering and creating from whatever is present in the moment. Over the years,
I’ve learned more and more deeply in my bones just how true that is.

The combination of past training and my diligent and creative preparation helped me surrender deeply into the present moment during the performance.

After the show, the artistic director, casting director, and stage manager greeted me with congratulations, hugs, and thank yous. Awe and gratitude filled their eyes. I’d saved the show.

The stage manager said, “How did you do that? You had them on the edge of their seats. You nailed every joke – and you made them cry.”

Helping sensitive visionaries, ambitious empaths, and loving rebels to speak soulfully in this way is my soul’s mission.

If you want to

✨ Awaken, energize, and move your audience
✨ Move from informing, through inspiring, to transforming
✨ Touch your audience with the heart-centered power of your presence
✨ Channel sensation into the fire that fuels transformation
✨ Feel ALIVE from head to toe while deeply connected to the crowd

I promise to give you everything I’ve got on unleashing your one-of-a-kind inner radiance.

The world needs to hear the unique magic that’s created when YOU speak soulfully …

Get ready to shine.

Let’s change the world together, one room at a time …

With passion & love,
Lauri

PS: If this speaks to your soul, download the Soulful Speaking Guide and learn how to unleash your presence and express your vision when it matters most.

2 Comments

  1. Michele

    Awesome Lauri! In my former role as a healthcare leader I did a lot of speaking; including one that was presented in front of a packed auditorium; including the Governor, at that time. Since transforming my health, career, and spiritual beliefs, I’m excited to stand in my power to share my message. That said, I want to deliver an unforgettable speech that lands me to a Ted Talk. I’m currently in an on-line Speaking course and registered for an in-person Stand and Present event in Vegas with a well-known dynamic speaker. I look forward to your Stand in Your Power Launchpad. Personal growth is the key to confidence.

    Reply
  2. Lauri

    Thanks Michele! I look forward to connecting with you during the Stand in Your Power Launchpad!

    Reply

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