065 – Beyond Looking Confident, To Feeling It Too

In this episode, I help leadership coach and podcaster Julie Neale work through the discomfort she feels on stage.

Though she’s right at home behind the microphone, being on stage stirs up something different. Julie may look confident, but inside, she’s anxious — silently struggling.

Together, we trace her nerves back to early experiences that shaped her identity, including a pivotal moment when her father, with the best intentions, publicly praised her in a way that became a role she felt expected to play — even at the expense of her own truth.

We also talk about how to feel more grounded, expand your stage presence, and create a sense of belonging in front of an audience.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, misrepresented, or not fully yourself in the spotlight, this conversation will speak to you.

Listen to the Podcast Here

Ask Yourself

• Were you ever expected to act a certain way — to be the “good one,” the quiet one, the selfless one?
• Have you ever spoken or performed, and afterward felt like, “That wasn’t really me”?
• When you’re speaking, how do you feel toward your audience? Like you’re connecting… or performing?

Insights

• Julie realized her stage nerves weren’t just about being in front of people — they traced back to how she was seen (and praised) as a kid.
• A well-meaning story her dad told about her stuck in a surprising way — like a role she had to keep playing, even if it didn’t feel true.
• We worked through it together, clearing out the emotional charge and reconnecting her to her own presence and power.

Clearing Modalities

• Tapping (EFT) to gently clear old emotions
• Visualization and body awareness
• Simple tools to feel more grounded and at home on stage

Practical Advice

• Ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? Not what others expected — what’s true for me now?
• Before stepping up, take a slow look around the room. Let yourself feel like you belong there.
• Warm up your voice. Hum. Sing in the car. Breathe low and full.
• Instead of seeing the audience as critics, picture them as kind faces who are happy to hear from you.

Connect with Julie

Julie Neale is a life and leadership coach, community builder, and podcast host who inspires mothers to live their E.P.I.C. lives—engaged, passionate, invested, and connected. As the founder of Mother’s Quest and host of the Mother’s Quest Podcast, she creates opportunities for mothers to reflect on their lives, connect with like-minded women, and take bold action toward their aspirations.

Through her coaching and facilitated experiences, including her signature Milestone Hike Reflection Experience, Julie helps mothers step into their fullest leadership, aligning their values with their actions. She is also the creator of the Live Your EPIC Year Planner, a guided system that supports intentional goal-setting and mindful action throughout the year.

A mother to two neurodivergent boys, Julie brings a deep personal understanding of what it means to advocate for our children while also pursuing personal fulfillment. She is passionate about storytelling, coaching, and community building, and through her social impact coaching and consulting, she helps women changemakers amplify their voices and create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

• The Mother’s Quest website
• Julie on Instagram

Ways You Can Get Linda’s Help With Speaking Confidence​

1. Use the Pacing exercise to focus your mind before you speak. This is free to download with the book resources at DelightintheLimelight.com/resources.
2. Prepare yourself vocally, physically, emotionally, and energetically, with The Speaker Green Room.
3. Want to overcome your fear of speaking and become more naturally you so you can delight in the limelight? Private Coaching with Linda to overcome your fear of speaking and delight in the limelight.
4. Get the Book: Delight in the Limelight: Overcome your fear of being seen and realize your dreams

Credits – Music: “A Smooth Jazz” by Music Cocktail

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