In this episode, I sit down and talk with Carissa Karner, an extraordinary, powerful speaker and coach based in California. Carissa helps purpose-driven professionals and entrepreneurs learn techniques on how to speak with authority, lead with their hearts and touch lives with their powerful messages.  As a certified Clinic-CoachÆ, a licensed psychotherapist, an actress with a plethora of experience on stage, a TEDx presenter and on the way to becoming a certified world-class speaking coach, she draws together a supply of tools that help you gain confidence when speaking in public.  Growing up in the mountains of Yosemite, Carissa was always a shy child. A self-confessed scared little girl, Carissa spent a lifetime hiding in fear of not being able to use her own voice or to be seen amongst the crowd. Excelling at dodgeball, Carissa was able to wear a “cloak of invisibility” to hide from whoever had the ball. This metaphoric situation was actually a representation of her childhood; always hiding from her true self. In 6th grade, Carissa found a passion for acting where she was able to be silly, bigger and louder. This was the first step in her realization that she was destined for a career on the stage and with an amazing teacher and family behind her for support, she was able to go on to pursue an acting degree.  Carissa carried this feeling of self-repression even into her acting career with a sense that she was using acting to ‘hide’ behind a character, using someone else’ words. Was she ever really being her true self or was this career another way of hiding behind something? Realizing that she may not be alone with this, Carissa knew that famous actors, professionals and entrepreneurs (whilst good at what they do) also possess feelings of fear and judgement. The fear of unearthing imperfections or being judged for not having it all together prompted Carissa to pursue a graduate degree in psychotherapy with the aim of helping others to speak fearlessly as themselves.  This shift towards a career in psychotherapy allowed Carissa to help those who may suffer from issues that hold them back in life such as imposter syndrome or stage fright. Drawing upon her childhood and early adult experiences, she knew that when you confidently use your voice anywhere it opens doors to be successful everywhere. By knowing what to say and how to say it effectively, Carissa can guide individuals to create mic dropping speeches that entice audiences but also perfectly showcase the best version of YOU.  Being on the other side of this ‘lack of self-confidence’ feeling has provided Carissa with the tools to help you feel calm, confident and prepared to use your voice in any situation. Feeling comfortable and confident when speaking will not only help drive your business, sales or personal growth but it will also produce visibility and self-assurance. Carissa knew that one-on-one therapy was still masking her true personal growth and it was another method of not being seen whilst listening to others speak instead. This safe behaviour was another guard that obstructed her ability to let her own voice be heard loud and clear.  After being invited to speak at a TEDx talk titled “The art of being your own best friend”, Carissa knew that this experience would prompt a shift in her own personal development. Guided by her own therapy, coaching and learning, Carissa learned how to accept her imperfections and embraced being human. After experiencing her TED talk, she started to think about moving beyond 1-2-1 therapy and onto the subject of helping others in a different way. Of course, that old faithful imposter syndrome made it hard for her to accept this shift at first, but over time Carissa knew that she had the skills and was worthy enough to help people with public speaking whilst boosting their confidence.  With the intention of touching people’s hearts and changing people’s lives, Carissa weaves all parts of her journey into helping oth