For a long time I've always felt like I'd like to present, guest speaker style. I have had experience with public speaking and performing but that was different. In this context I always lacked the confidence and didn't really know what I was even qualified to present about. I just knew I somehow wanted to share and touch people.
But this morning I headed out, laptop in hand (well, in my Lug bag for real) and headed for one of Winnipeg's largest high schools. Seriously more students there than my entire HOME TOWN!! I was going to be presenting to three different classes on Food, Nutrition, and the Journey to Health (what I titled my presentation).
Like really, here I am, someone only three years ago that was 250 lbs, and really didn't have a hot clue about proper nutrition (hence why I was 250 lbs). And now today I am guest speaking on that very topic. Kind of twilight zoneish if you ask me.
How Did This Even Happen???
Well it all started a month or so ago when had the honour of being asked by the Foods & Nutrition teacher to come in and present to the class. We had previously worked together and she had seen a lot of my postings and sharing my transformation on Facebook.
I was ECSTATIC to be given that opportunity. I had a lot of nervous feelings about it though. Would I present well enough? Would the classes appreciate what I had to say? Would I be able to provide value?
Another worry was that my story is predominantly weight loss related and I wanted the students to have an understanding about the importance of health and not just weight. The last thing I wanted to do was just focus on losing weight because that can be difficult for a lot of teenagers.
Weight + Teenagers = touchy subject
Overall though I felt like I came up with just the right combination. I started off sharing my story and how presenting on food and nutrition is the LAST I'd be seen five years ago, and how I came to be there today. After sharing my story I went into some of the most important things I learned in the process of becoming healthier and my subsequent weight loss. Some students even had a few questions which was great.
In the last section of class I shared my apple dip recipe and spicy ranch dip recipe with them. Seriously folks, teenagers were coming back up to get more carrots and celery sticks to dip in the ranch dip. Yes, I got teens to eat veggies. A few were too full from our healthy snack that there was no need for them to get the greasy, nasty, cafeteria food for lunch.
HUZZAH HUZAH HUZZAH!!!
It was such a great experience and I absolutely LOVED the feeling I got for being able to present today. So much that I am thinking of turning my presentation into FREE live webinar sessions. People could ask me questions, learn my story straight from me, see that I am a real person too, and share some of the most important things I learned.
If you'd like to be able to participate in my online webinar (roughly 40 minutes) send me a friend request at Facebook.com/jsanfordfamily Perhaps I can bring some of my knowledge and experience to you.
Now that I have been able to tick this dream off my list, it's time to Rock it to a whole new level!
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