Live Broadcast: Rough Jottings and Subtle Influence
Yesterday, the author attended Confidence Live, a professional development conference that took place at Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent. Hosted by Pixie Polite and Professor Doctor Kieran Fenby-Hulse, the event was a vibrant gathering of professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs, all seeking to build their confidence and address emotional barriers such as self-doubt, fear of judgment, and imposter syndrome.
Throughout the day, a series of insightful talks were delivered by an array of speakers, including Kelly Shenton and Kira Matthews. Kelly shared her personal journey of overcoming trauma and connection, emphasising the importance of emotional resilience. Kira, a coach and keynote speaker, encouraged listeners to "leave room for doubt" and questioned assumptions, suggesting that reframing questions could lead to new perspectives.
One of the most memorable moments came from Nicola Griffiths, who offered practical advice on executive function and setting goals. She stressed the importance of activation over motivation, suggesting that starting something should come before feeling ready or motivated. Nicola also presented a trio of plans: Ideal, Fall-back, and Bare minimum, a framework that could help individuals set realistic and achievable goals.
The author also had the pleasure of experiencing a heartfelt moment, as Desree's poetry was read aloud. Her words, soft but insistent, felt like a heartbeat, reminding everyone that confidence can show up in the most unexpected places, even in shared stories over drinks.
The event ended on a joyful note, with Sue Perkins delivering a warm, witty, and slightly weird closing speech that left the audience laughing and inspired. As the author left the event, they experienced a steadier kind of confidence, a confidence that doesn't strut but stands quietly and surely.
Confidence Live 2025 was more than just a conference; it was a celebration of authenticity, connection, and empowerment. For those interested in the detailed speaker lineup and session topics, it is recommended to visit the official Confidence Live 2025 program or website.
- Attendees at Confidence Live 2025, including the author, gained insights not only on building confidence but also on mental health and lifestyle, as speakers like Kira Matthews encouraged self-reflection and question reframing for personal growth.
- The event was an amalgamation of science, health-and-wellness, and education-and-self-development, with topics ranging from emotional resilience (Kelly Shenton) to practical goal-setting advice (Nicola Griffiths), providing a holistic approach to confidence-building.
- The author's experience at the conference underscored the importance of embracing vulnerability and sharing stories (Desree's poetry reading), as these moments highlighted the interconnectedness of mental health, personal growth, and lifestyle.
