Storytelling School

<p >I am standing in the dojo, drenched in sweat. We're in the middle of a dynamic circle knife drill, and I'm surrounded by fellow black belts, each armed with metal training knives and ready to attack in a simulation...

<p >I'm a freshman at the University of Hawaii, living the dream on a full-ride softball scholarship. One night during finals week, my roommate and I decide to take a break from studying and grab a bite to eat. On our...

<p >It's the early 2000s, and I get invited to speak in New York to a room full of tech heavyweights - people and thought leaders I dreamed of being in front of. I am determined to crush it, so I do what any...

<p >It's 2006. I am sitting in the audience at TED surrounded by visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. The energy in the room is electric and everyone is buzzing with anticipation about who's going to take the...

<p >I am coaching a speaker as she prepares for one of the biggest keynotes of her career. Her story is powerful, full of resilience and triumph. As she runs through her story, I am captivated... until it just...

<p >I'm running a high-stakes speaking event and, as I always do, I have everyone share their name and something interesting that may not be on their bio. We go around, one by one, with people sharing surprising facts...

<p >It's the end of 2002 and I am fully immersed in the world of technology, running a bicoastal tech event. Over lunch with a new connection, we start unraveling a really wild idea - what if we were to build a software...

<p >It's 2014. As the year draws to a close, all of my friends come up with their New Year's resolutions, ranging from dropping bad habits to losing weight. But while I create my list of resolutions on the eve of the...

<p >I'm in a high-stakes game throwing pitch after pitch after pitch for the University of Hawaii. I feel the ball roll off of my fingers in a perfect spin towards the catcher's mitt. Then, I notice a sharp, burning...

<p >I'm in my martial arts class where we're deep into advanced weapons training. On this day, our Grandmaster tells us that we're going to have a special guest instructor join us. I'm thinking, "I've got the basics...

<p >A few years ago, I'm coaching a speaker for her first big keynote. We rehearse endlessly, tweaking every word and gesture. On the day of the event, I'm sitting in the audience feeling a mix of pride and nervousness...

<p >I'm on the East Coast about to speak at a corporate event filled with tech leaders of a very large company. As I'm backstage, the CEO comes up to me and says, "Remember Kymberlee, these are incredible people who are...

<p >It's the early 2000s, and I'm between sessions at the TEDx conference. As I go to grab a coffee, I notice this crowd forming nearby. Naturally curious, I wander over there to see what the fuss is about.</p> <p >In...

<p >I'm helping my client Barbara get ready for one of the biggest Talks of her career. She's preparing to stand on stage in front of thousands of people (with even more watching live online). </p> <p >She shares her...

<p >It's time for my first theatrical performance. I've memorized my lines and have been rehearsing relentlessly. I am ready to go. </p> <p >As I'm standing backstage, I suddenly notice my leg is shaking. And then I...