Phoenix Miller
Led by Phoenix Miller, DTM, an experienced speaker, trainer and productivity coach who learned about mesmerizing an audience from her Uncle Vitty, who was a “highway traversing engineer…” or a vagabond. When he visited, he would tell a story. He was like the pied piper. All the kids in the neighborhood would be drawn to him. She loved to see the wreath of smoke from his cigarette, his long pauses and the open mouth of the kids. It was then she realized the power of story. But Phoenix stuttered as a small child and that gift of clear communication bi-passed her for years.
“I stuttered as a small child. I told fantastic stories in my head but never shared them. I always dreamed of speaking before a large audience. After working with a speech therapist to overcome that condition, I spent my life pursuing my dream to speak in front of people. One of my first jobs after college was working for the head of a department at a University. I was to present the minutes. I spent so much time hiding in the bathroom and being nervous, that my boss finally came to me and said, 'You do great work. I just don’t want to have to come looking for you when I need to open a meeting. You need to speak more.'
I took classes, joined Toastmasters and read everything I could on how to present in front of an audience. I became a teacher, tour guide, coach and yes even presented in front of a large audience.
It was when I helped someone else overcome their fear of public speaking, that I knew what my purpose was. I finally had that bolt of light hit: All of those years of learning about communication to overcome my fears of public speaking led me to help others overcome their blocks.”