Speak with Power, Presence and Purpose. High-Impact Public Speaking Coaching for Professionals.

Find out more about Marianne

• How long have you been interested in the field of well-being and are you practicing?

  I've been interested in well-being for around 10 years now, and in this time I have learned the value of putting aside dedicated time to work intentionally on your wellbeing. For me, I now put aside a set time each week where I can check in with how I am doing mentally, physically and emotionally. This helps me to 'stay on track' and make positive choices that move me closer to my goals, and towards living a healthy, happy and balanced life.

• Tell us what your discipline can bring to people's lives.

  Both Public Speaking and Accent Reduction play a key role in enabling people to communicate effectively and authentically. When we are able to express ourselves with confidence and clarity we are able to unlock opportunities in the workplace, build positive relationships with those around us and feel confident in who we are. Helping clients to build skills in these areas supports them in living a happier, more fulfilling life.

• Could you provide some instant top tips to help us feel good in body and mind?

  Breathe! You may think this is a strange answer, however breath is a hugely powerful tool and can have a huge impact on how we think and feel. Breathing is the bridge between the body and mind, therefore we can use this to help us feel good both physically and mentally. Try closing your eyes and noticing how you are breathing... Is the breath sitting high in the chest, or is the air moving slowly and steadily downwards? Are the breaths short and sharp, or are they long and sustained? Now allow the breath to fall into a nice slow, steady, rhythm and imagine the breath sitting low in the body. Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, now hold the breath for four seconds, slowly exhale for 4 seconds, and then hold the breath for a final 4 seconds. Repeat this pattern for a few minutes and you are likely to feel calm, focused and ready for anything.

• How would you describe your method as a practitioner?

  My method incorporates a structured curriculum to cover key aspects of the client's chosen subject, whether they are working on Public Speaking or Accent Reduction. We start with basic concepts and gradually progress towards more advanced techniques. This ensures a systematic and comprehensive learning experience that can still be tailored to meet a client's exact needs. Alongside this I integrate a variety of practical exercises into sessions, enabling clients to develop skills and apply theoretical knowledge in a hands-on manner. Receiving regular, constructive feedback is an essential part of any learning process, therefore I take care to recognise progress and provide helpful feedback in order to build clients' confidence and help them to progress. By incorporating these elements I support my clients in becoming empowered, confident communicators.

• With experience, are there things you have learned or unlearned about yourself or others?

  Whilst gaining experience over the last 8 years, I have learned plenty about both myself and others. I tend to hold myself to a very high standard when it comes to my work. This is both my greatest strength as well as a significant challenge that I have had to learn to overcome. I have learned that whilst working to a high standard is important, doing so with self-compassion and patience is crucial. It can be very easy to be self-critical in order to reach what we perceive to be 'high standards', however working with a more positive mindset has enabled me to grow and make the progress that I am capable of. This now translates directly into my work with clients - I encourage them to see themselves through a compassionate lense, which cultivates a growth mindset - essential when learning any new skill.

• Do you have a role model, a person who really inspired you?

  When training as an actor I had a personal tutor who was also Head of Voice at my university. It was her that taught me the value of unlocking the voice and communicating with authenticity. It was her that taught me the importance of hard work and attention to detail, and it was her that pushed me and her other students to be at their very best. She is an absolute expert in her field, and shares her knowledge with passion and purpose. She held all of her students to the highest standard, but did so with patience and kindness. To this day she continues to inspire me, and the impact she has had on my life will stay with me forever.

• How do you personally relax; what methods work for you?

  I am a firm believer that movement nourishes the body. Because of this I love to use yoga, meditation and exercise to help me relax. On some days this will involve a quick 10 minute stretch before sleeping, and on others you can find me lifting weights in the gym; it very much depends on how I am feeling and what I feel I need the most. Alongside this I love to cook and spend my time discovering foods from new cultures. I find that cooking is a calming, mindful experience and a great way to 'wind down' and enjoy the present moment.

• Tell us about a memorable lesson:

  I had been working with one of my Public Speaking clients for around 6 weeks. She was making gradual progress, however I always had a sense that there was so much more that she had inside of her... that she was still holding back. She was struggling to bring energy to her speech and this was preventing her from making the progress that I knew she was capable of. In our lessons there would be flashes of her personality and it was this that I wanted to unlock and empower her to share with an audience when speaking. In our next session I wanted to try an experiment; I wanted her to perform her speech as though she was a confident, powerful C.E.O speaking to their employees. When she tried this, all of a sudden she spoke with confidence and clarity - it was as though she had unlocked a whole new level of communication within herself! We reflected on this together and discussed what it was that had enabled her to do this. For her, the idea of taking on a character had helped her to disconnect from the anxiety that she would usually feel, and to release her authentic voice. It is these kinds of moments that stay with me as a tutor. Seeing clients unlock their potential and reap the rewards of their hard work is hugely rewarding and one of my favourite parts of the job.