Transformational Speaking in Santa Fe – AKA the art of Being Seen

Aug 11, 2016 | Entrepreneurship, Life in Progress

KRR brave girls speaking

Here’s me giving my talk at the recent Brave Girl Symposium. I spoke a little bit about the experience over here, and it continues to inspire me long after the event ended.

A couple of weeks after giving my talk at Brave Girls, I had an amazing opportunity to attend a four day intensive/immersion program with world renowned transformational speaker and teacher, Gail Larsen, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

KRR pdx carpet

Here’s the thing. Speaking to larger audiences (and writing, too) has been a long time whisper of mine. Many many years ago, a dear friend sent me Gail’s book (highly recommended), but even just reading her book made me afraid. Afraid of speaking. Of stage nerves. Of my gremlins. Of being seen.

Being seen. That’s the biggest fear of all. I’m quite cozy over here in my world. I love making art. I love being behind the screen, writing for this blog. But stepping out in front in any public capacity is a big edge for me.

And that’s how I know it’s worth pursuing. Anything that scares us yet consistently whispers and urges us to make a move is something worth listening to. 

SO.

I signed up for Gail’s four day Transformational Speaking Immersion in Santa Fe, NM and off I went, taking one big giant step toward my scary edge of speaking and Being Seen. Prior to leaving for this particular trip, the weeks before it had been packed to the brim  in the department of Doing Things That Scare Me. (There was the launching of Kelly Rae Unscripted, speaking in front of 500 gorgeous souls for the Brave Girls Symposium, putting on a big party for my ten year biz anniversary). This particular adventure with Gail seemed like the perfect bookend to a month that had reignited my Possibilitarian heart. Besides, the lovely Beth Kempton was going with me in this final July journey and she makes everything better. 

KRR cloud heart

Within hours of arriving in NM, I found not one…….

KRR sky heart

but TWO giant heart clouds. I took it as a message from the universe that I was on the right path.

KRR NM collage

The four days with Gail and the other five women who attended were powerful, long, important days in my life journey. In many ways, I got my ass kicked, and I mean that in all the best ways.

I was WAY out of my comfort zone and squarely inside my edge and fear of Being Seen. There I was with five super confident, powerful women, standing up in front of them, sharing stories (totally unscripted and unrehearsed speaking!), ON CAMERA, while being coached by the brilliant Gail. We spent days doing this while also distilling through conversation, writing, prompts and more, precisely what our Original Medicine is that we give to the world.

There was so much soul work. Mind-bending work. Brain work. Heart work.  So potent. Hard. Scary. Real. Vulnerable. Uncomfortable. Healing. And ultimately so so beautifully divine and good. I was cracked open into my stuff. My stuff. My messy Why Can’t You Take Up The Space You Deserve stuff. 

KRR wellness

Meanwhile, I’m not sure if it was the altitude (7K above sea level) or all the deep soul work or all the super focused mind work, but I had an intense headache that never went away during the trip. On the second evening during a beautiful dinner with the women, it turned into a full blown migraine. I was able to wake up the next day and carry on, though I felt a bit hungover and weepy through it all.
The good news is that they had an oxygen bar and it helped tremendously.
Friends, I am not kidding when I say this trip was hard. Good and hard. Brave in sadness, brave in love.

KRR grand finale

This was me after giving my grand finale speech after several days of some of the hardest, yet worth it, work I’ve done in a long while. Can you tell I was elated, beaming, proud? I was, I really was.

The work that Gail led us through was deep, surprising, and revealing. What a powerful woman she is. For those of you thinking about stepping into transformational speaking, I cannot recommend her enough. You will get worked. But you will SHINE when it’s all over. And you will be CLEAR about your message and how to deliver it in a powerful, transformational way. And what’s more beautiful than the gift of clarity?

People call Gail the midwife of the soul. And that is exactly how I would describe her and also how I would describe the experience of working with her: you are working so hard to birth something that is deeply beloved and a part of you.

KRR transformational speaking

These are the powerful, amazing women I shared the experience with. We’ve witnessed one another’s medicine and hard earned breakthroughs.  I am so grateful! These ladies are powerful forces for GOOD. Angels….

I’m curious how this experience will continue to unfold for me. I now KNOW I can give a powerful speech that is 100% unrehearsed, unscripted, yet comes from my Original Medicine, the place where my wisdom resides and where I know why I’m here.

So, friends, if you have any speaking opportunities for me, let me know. I’m ready. Open. Willing. And ready to Be Seen.

XO

Sending much love,

Show/Hide Comments (7 comments)
7 Comments
  1. Michelle Ramus

    Thank you so much! Once again you have inspired me to listen to the whispers speaking in my heart as I embark on a new and scary, yet exciting journey in my life. You’re amazing!

    Reply
  2. Kristi Shreenan

    Congratulations, Kelly Rae! I can completely relate to what you have written, and your pride is fabulously apparent. WAY TO GO!!! Keep shining on!

    Reply
  3. victoria

    Kelly Rae – SO proud of you!!!! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.One step at a time and you’re doing it :].

    Reply
  4. Shannon Watson

    Amazing Kelly Rae! Bravo, Brave Girl!! Thanks for your recommendation. This is one of my edges, too, that I am working on right now. Looking forward to seeing how this evolves for you. Warmly, ShannonRose

    Reply
  5. Beth Diiorio

    Hi Kelly Rae,
    Your experience at Transformational Speaking with Gail Larsen sounds amazingly powerful…your post exuded your emotions and growth so clearly. You have inspired me! I just ordered Gail’s book. Heartfelt thanks for sharing your brave visit to the edge. People like you are the reason I LOVE to connect with Artsy Kindreds!
    Beth 🙂

    Reply
  6. Judy

    So wish my daughter knew about this. She lives in Santa Fe and is in grad school getting a masters in art therapy/counseling. It sounded like a wonderful experience and Santa Fe is quite a spiritual place. Good luck with your future public speaking!

    Reply
  7. Bonnie

    Kelly,
    I am so very proud of you for doing this! It is so hard to step out of our comfortable spots. You are seen! and you are a beautiful inspiration to others.

    Reply

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Hello + welcome!

I’m Kelly Rae Roberts

Before I picked up my first paintbrush at the age of 30, I was a medical social worker. I followed my creative whispers, and today I’m an artist & Possibilitarian. I’m passionate about creating meaningful art and experiences that awaken and inspire our spirits.

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