I was that expert.
I was the expert with knowledge and ideas. But when I had to speak in front of a bigger audience, I would do everything in my power to avoid it.
Eight years ago, my company ran a hackathon — everyone signed up. I was the only one who didn't. I still showed up for work, sat behind my computer, and pretended replying to emails was more important than presenting and having fun.
What made it worse was that colleagues would walk by and ask why I wasn't joining. At lunch, I ended up at a table with the CEO and his assistant — the only two other people not in the room. More awkward than any presentation I was trying to avoid.
That's what fear did to me. It didn't just make me nervous. It pulled me out of moments that truly mattered.
That changed when I joined Toastmasters, a communication and leadership club. From there on out I said yes to every speaking opportunity I could find. Within 18 months I grew the club from six members to twenty-five and became president. I became a kitesurf instructor, a job where clear communication matters. I gave a best man's speech that had the whole room laughing. I joined improv. And now I give public speaking workshops for tech experts.
What I discovered is that communication wasn't something I was simply bad at. It was something I could practice and improve. That realization gave me my life back.
If I could go from avoiding opportunities out of fear to loving public speaking, so can you.