Who is Kelly Pietrangeli?
Kelly Pietrangeli is the creator of Project Me, a hub of resources and inspiration to help make life easier for busy mothers. As The Mama Motivator, Kelly loves helping women to problem solve, set clear goals, create action plans and follow through.
She’s best known for her productivity and time management hacks: lists, meal planning, systems, digital tools and daily action plans – combined with mindfulness, ME time, self-care and personal growth.
Kelly is a captivating speaker and workshop facilitator who engages audiences and inspires positive action. She’s a popular guest on podcasts and at events and October 2018 sees the first Project Me Live! event, with a focus on Health and Wellbeing.
1. What inspired you to start speaker training or speaking?
I was asked to be on the panel at the Driven Woman Festival of Doers and I nearly turned it down as I was not ‘ready’. Then I heard the words in my head that I tell others all of the time – ‘start before you’re ready!’ and I decided to get as ready as I could in 3 short months by getting some public speaking training in with Speaker Express. It was the best decision ever as it helped me far beyond getting through this one event.
2. What’s the best piece of speaking advice you have been given?
Speak from the heart, not the head.
In the beginning of my Speaker Express training I was completely in my head! Overthinking, trying to memorise scripts, attempting to get my words perfect. Then we had some workshops that required ad-libbing and doing unprepared exercises in getting up and speaking in pairs or small groups. And I got over myself! I realised that when I speak from my heart I feel connected and alive and I somehow find the words from within without overthinking it all. It’s helped me overcome my nerves and speak authentically and now it doesn’t matter if it’s two people or 200!
3. What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started?
That I can speak as good as I write. As an author and blogger I’d convinced myself that I could say it much better in writing. This story in my head grew so big and convincing that I hid behind my computer, typing out everything I wanted to say until I’d lost so much confidence in speaking. I wish I new before how to open my heart and stop trying to say it perfectly. I’d have ditched the scripts a long time ago and would have made better videos too.
4. What was your worst experience on stage and what did you do to rescue the situation?
An audience member asked me a question that triggered an emotion in me and I began crying. Not sobbing or anything, but I was clearly emotional. I took some very big, deep breaths to get that vital oxygen flowing to my brain. I was able to regain my composure and carry on successfully. I realised later that in my vulnerability I became real to the audience. Afterwards there was a queue of people lined up to give me a hug, buy my book, and one woman went on to become a treasured client, so I guess my worst stage experience was actually a gift.
5. Which speaker do you admire the most?
The obvious answer is Barack Obama. I never fail to be in awe of his oratory skills. But I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing him live (yet), so I’ll also add Carin Rockind who spoke at the Festival of Doers and blew me away with her super engaging and inspiring talk about reclaiming happiness and living to our highest potential. Having done the Speaker Express ‘Signature Talk’ training, I was able to spot her fantastic ‘disruptor’ opening and her ability to tell her story, but still make it about her audience. I love a speaker who can do that as well as she did. I also love Emma Stroud and her phenomenal MC and panel facilitator skills.
Kelly is speaking at her own event, Project Me Live! on Saturday 6 October 2018.
Full speaker line-up and tickets are available here: https://projectme.lpages.co/project-me-live/
- https://myprojectme.com/courses-workshops/
- www.myprojectme.com
- www.facebook.com/myprojectme
- www.twitter.com/KellyProjectMe
- www.pinterest.com/projectmemother
- www.instagram.com/kellyprojectme
Keep the momentum and join 2,000 other professional & aspiring speakers in the Speaker Express Facebook group here or join our free training taking your through The Speakers’ Method, our proven way to grow your speaking business.
We are looking forward working with you or meeting you at one of our events.
To your speaking, Elliot & Annik x
