When people think of a TEDx talk they picture the stage lights, the red circle, and the applause. What they do not see is the grind of the application process.

During my days as an athlete it was the opposition that drove me to practice hard the week before that match. I needed a little motivation, and you will need it one day too!

One of the keys to making your speech delivery as natural as possible is to hone it as you go through your normal day.

Doesn't it make sense to take precautions in case you have technical difficulties?  Here's how to prepare for it.

Are you in the middle of practicing for your TED Talk and for some reason can't remember one of your lines? It seems like every time you rehearse that line escapes you. Here's how to solve that challenge.

A memory palace is a simple technique that helps you remember information by placing it in familiar locations in your mind, like rooms in your home.

"Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

If you're getting close it's time to start practicing as if you are giving the actual speech.

In this part of my TEDx Naples journey, I share one of the more surprising lessons I’ve learned — not about speaking, but about people. When you start reaching out for feedback and support, you quickly learn who actually shows up. It can sting when friends go silent, but this experience reminded me to focus on gratitude for those who do step up and offer help. The right people always find their way into the conversation.

I used AI to sync my recorded speech to an avatar that looked just like me, complete with a stage background. Seeing myself deliver the talk from the audience’s point of view gave me a fresh perspective and helped me refine the flow in a way simple practice never could.

Once I started recording my talk and listening to it like an audience member, all the parts that felt unnatural suddenly stood out. In this video I share how simple audio playbacks helped me spot awkward wording, pacing issues, and moments that needed a pause.

When you work on your TEDx talk long enough, you become too close to it to see what is missing. In this video I share how getting feedback from seasoned speakers, including others in my TEDx cohort, completely reshaped my message and opened it up to a wider audience.

If you're getting 7-10 days from your speech.  It's time to list things you might forget in the excitement of your big speech. Make sure to adapt these ideas to your own situation.

Last night at 11:00 PM I was outside, in the pitch-black dark, practicing my TEDx talk. It felt a little strange at first, but there is a purpose behind it.

It happens. You are going to experience one of the more stressful times in your life. Let's face it- you've been waiting for this moment, well, forever. Stay healthy.

The ability to network is a powerful life skill. One ancillary benefit of being part of a TEDx is getting to know the other speakers who are rock stars in their respective fields. Don't miss that opportunity.

This is personal preference but I can make a REALLY good case for not stressing yourself out sitting in a greenroom right before your speech. This is worth a quick listen.