Why the kings speech is my favorite movie. Overcoming the fear of public speaking
I’ve always found profound inspiration in the movie “The King’s Speech,” not just as a cinematic masterpiece but as a mirror reflecting my personal journey. From my early days in kindergarten, grappling with a stutter that subjected me to mockery, to being labeled slow, I faced the daunting challenge of living with this impediment.
My parents, unaware of available resources, believed I would eventually outgrow it. Fast forward to adulthood, and while the stutter diminished, it never entirely disappeared. It lingered, surfacing mildly in certain situations. At 21, I stepped onto a stage for the first time, speaking passionately about entrepreneurship. Remarkably, on stage, my stutter seemed to vanish, replaced by confidence and conviction.
Yet, this comfort on stage wasn’t fueled by ego. Instead, it was a profound realization that, on stage, I had a genuine voice — a space where my passion and conviction flowed effortlessly. This revelation became the cornerstone of my journey, leading me to delve deeper into the meaning of stuttering — an audible disruption that sets us all apart in various ways.
Driven by my desire to make my voice heard, I co-founded Speakers University, a platform dedicated to teaching the nine steps of public speaking. In a pivotal moment within our WhatsApp group, I shared a clip from “The King’s Speech.” The scene depicted the speech therapist encouraging the king to quit, questioning why anyone would listen. The king’s powerful response, “Because I have a voice,” resonated profoundly.
This moment became a touchstone for my personal journey, mirroring the king’s epiphany that my voice was my strength, a force to be harnessed. The speech therapist, connecting the king to his passion and confidence, unlocked the potential within, transcending the limitations of the disability.
“The King’s Speech” became more than a movie; it evolved into an inspiration for connecting more deeply with my passion and confidence. For me, public speaking wasn’t a fear to be conquered; instead, it was a realm where I thrived. The movie underscored that competence, confidence, and passion are the triumvirate essential for becoming a great public speaker.
As Jerry Seinfeld humorously noted, public speaking is the number one fear, with death at number two. His joke humorously captures the universality of this fear. “If you are at a funeral, you are better off in the casket than giving the eulogy.” LOL In this shared fear, we find common ground, but it’s the triumvirate of competence, confidence, and passion that ultimately propels us forward.
Embrace your voice, connect with your passion, and witness the transformative journey that unfolds. In the words of the king, declare boldly, “Because I have a voice.”, because sometimes laughter is the best companion on the journey to conquering our fears and embracing our true selves.
If you would like to learn the 9 steps of public speaking email me @ workwithjonesnow@gmail.com
Peace and love
ANdrew “Tremendous” Jones
