Long-time Comox Valley resident, Monica Parkin, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by landing a TEDx talk in Denver Colorado.
“It’s a huge honour to be chosen,” says Parkin, “People try for years to get a place on the TEDx stage and this particular event received hundreds of nominations. I’m really humbled.”
Her talk, titled “The Secret Shame of Introverts,” dives into the introverted brain, exploring the neurological differences between introverts and extroverts, and shedding light on the all-too-common phenomenon of introverts concealing their true selves to conform to societal expectations that favour extroversion.
Parkin is also the author of Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales, and host of the popular podcast, Juggling Without Balls, where she hosts conversations with women about a diverse range of topics.
Previously, she enjoyed a successful career as a mortgage broker, but has since shifted to a full-time professional speaker and speaking coach. Her TEDx talk, which took place in August, has just been released on the TEDx YouTube channel, making it accessible to a worldwide audience.
Parkin got her start in speaking at the local 60 Minutes Toastmasters Club and is still an active member. She remembers the first meeting she went to.
“I walked into that room at the Lewis Centre and sat down and then got scared and made an excuse and left! It took me a few months to get brave enough to go back but I’m glad I did because it’s been an amazing journey.” She still attends weekly and said she probably always will.
“There is always room for improvement and Toastmasters is a great place to try out new speeches.”
In the coming months, Parkin is launching her own six-week online speaking course designed to fast forward the learning curve and empower anyone with the skills and confidence to speak in public.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to help people bring their ideas to the world.”
To watch Parkin’s TEDx talk, “The Secret Shame of Introverts,” visit bit.ly/3Rc6lt6
For more information about Parkin, visit her website.
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