I Was On the Fence About Joining Leadr. Here’s What Finally Got Me to Commit

The Inner Battle Most People Don’t Talk About

For months, I went back and forth with myself. I knew I had something important to say. I wanted to deliver a TEDx talk — not for fame or accolades, but because I believed my story could genuinely help people. Still, I couldn’t shake the hesitation. I kept wondering: Am I really the kind of person who does this?

What held me back wasn’t the idea of writing a talk. It wasn’t even the thought of getting up on stage. It was something deeper — a nagging, critical voice that kept repeating the same questions: What if I’m not good enough? What if I fail? What if this dream turns into a giant, expensive mistake?

I knew I wasn’t alone in that kind of thinking. Imposter syndrome is something a lot of us deal with, but knowing that intellectually didn’t make it feel any less real in the moment. My brain does this thing — catastrophizing. It runs through every possible worst-case scenario like a highlight reel. What if I bomb? What if people laugh? What if I get up there and completely freeze?

So I stayed stuck. For longer than I want to admit. Until one small action helped me break out of that paralysis.

The Strategy Session That Shifted Everything

I booked a free strategy session with one of the coaches from Leadr

It sounds like a small thing, and maybe to most people, it is. But for me, it was a turning point. Just scheduling the session — just clicking the link, filling out the form, and setting a time — felt like progress. It was the first tangible commitment I’d made to this dream, even if it was low stakes. That one step forward gave me something to hold onto, something real to focus on instead of all the “what ifs” in my head.

The call itself wasn’t high-pressure. It wasn’t some hard sell. It was calm, thoughtful, and surprisingly reassuring. I could ask questions. I could voice doubts. I could be honest about my fears without feeling judged.

Even the emails leading up to it were helpful. Something about being in contact with a real person, someone who does this work every day, made the whole thing feel less overwhelming. I started to think, Maybe I don’t have to figure this all out on my own.

Baby Steps Make Big Dreams Manageable

That strategy session did more than just answer my questions — it gave me permission to move forward in small ways.

One of the most valuable things I was reminded of on that call is how powerful small steps can be. Not everything needs to happen at once. You don’t need to have the whole talk written, booked, and delivered before you’re “allowed” to call yourself a speaker.

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is the next tiny step.

For me, that meant getting clear on my message. It meant sitting with the idea that maybe — just maybe — I had something worth sharing. And then, gradually, it meant starting to build momentum.

Why Leadr Felt Different Than the Rest

I’ve seen a lot of programs out there promising to get you on stages, build your brand, or turn you into the next viral sensation. That wasn’t what I was looking for. I didn’t want hype. I didn’t need someone to tell me I was amazing. I needed a plan. Structure. Accountability. Guidance from someone who’d actually done this before.

That’s what Leadr offered.

Their approach was clear. Not easy — because doing this work is never “easy” — but it was digestible. You don’t just jump from idea to TEDx overnight. There are steps. Milestones. A framework that makes the whole thing feel doable.

They helped me understand how to turn this vague concept in my head into something real — something bookable. And most importantly, they made me feel like I belonged in the arena. That I didn’t have to be a polished speaker, bestselling author, or credentialed expert to have a voice that mattered.

If You’re On the Fence Like I Was…

Here’s what I’ll say: if you’re sitting in the same place I was — full of ideas but frozen by doubt — start small. Book the strategy session. Send the email. Take one tiny action.

You don’t have to commit to everything right away. But if the idea of doing a TEDx talk is tugging at you, don’t ignore that. That pull is there for a reason.

Leadr didn’t magically erase my imposter syndrome. But they did help me see a path forward. They helped me feel less alone in the process. And sometimes, that’s all you need to begin — someone to walk alongside you while you find your footing.

TEDx might still feel like a far-off dream. But trust me — it starts closer than you think.