Sarina Mann, Breakthrough Public Speaking

I graduated from the University of Southampton with a BA in Philosophy and Politics and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Development Studies. During my post-graduate degree, I was employed by the Politics Department as an undergraduate group tutor. After this, I worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Bournemouth until I made the decision to leave academia and work in the charity sector. I spent years working in the charity sector until I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that limited my mobility for almost a decade. During this time, I realised I needed to think creatively about work and that’s when my entrepreneurial side sparked and I decided to start my own business, working from home. I completed multiple courses in teaching English as a second language (ESL) as well as a Cambridge English course on how to coach people for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. From 2016 to 2022 I successfully tutored in ESL, IELTS and GCSE English language and later public speaking skills for teens (from 2019). During this time, I also joined Toastmasters International and that’s when my speaking career took off. Winning multiple awards at Toastmaster speech contests at local, regional and even national levels, I learned an incredible lesson; that the skill of public speaking isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you learn, a skill everyone can learn. I experienced first-hand that becoming a confident speaker isn’t like any other skill in life. It’s a skill that transforms your life on many levels. When the fear of public speaking is no longer a feature in your life you feel freer without it hanging over you. Being confident in front of a crowd also means you feel more confident in other areas of your life and this naturally gives you a sense of wellbeing. Going through this amazing transformation myself, I soon developed a passion for helping others be the confident speakers they want to be. Now I run my own business in presentation skills for both online and offline platforms and have a range of programmes. I have a 7-week course for business owners who want to speak with confidence on camera for videos that attract their ideal clients. I also run three online group coaching speakers’ clubs for those who want more long-term, regular support: For university students and young adults who want to develop their presentation and interview skills. For non-native English speakers who want to develop their presentation skills and confidence in delivering talks in their second language. For business owners who want to develop a range of speaking skills for their business such as pitching, storytelling, selling on webinars and delivering training and online courses. I truly believe that being able to engage, persuade and simply amaze your audience is one of the single most powerful skills you can have in life and in business. I also believe that everyone can break through their fear and be the confident speaker they want to be. I believe everyone can breakthrough their fear of public speaking, find their voice, master presentation skills and speak with impact to persuade, inspire and lead.