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Building confidence in public speaking
How Damon overcame self-doubt to deliver impactful talks
This case study explores how Damon Bowen-Ashwin, a performance and wellbeing consultant, overcame his fear of public speaking to deliver engaging and impactful talks that told his ‘story’ and resulted in new incoming business. Through coaching with Sarina, he gained confidence, mastered speech structuring, and developed a natural, authentic style. The results?
- Public speaking became the first step in his business development process
- Increased confidence in delivering talks to corporate clients
- Direct business opportunities generated from his presentations
The client
Damon is a performance and wellbeing consultant specialising in core energy coaching and the Wim Hof Method. He helps individuals and businesses, particularly in the built environment, manage stress and optimise performance through breathwork, mindset training, and physical resilience techniques.
The challenge
Damon had a powerful personal story and a message he wanted to share. Diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour five years ago, he transformed his mindset and lifestyle to overcome adversity. Now, he wanted to inspire and help others on their own healing journeys. However, he faced key challenges:
- Lack of confidence in public speaking
- Struggling to structure a compelling talk
- Nervousness about audience engagement
- A tendency to hold back due to past experiences
The solution
Sarina worked with Damon to develop his skills in a structured and supportive way. The training included:
- A clear framework for structuring a speech
- Practical exercises to refine his delivery
- Techniques for effective stage movement and body language
- Strategies to improve voice projection, tone, and pacing
- A safe space to practise and receive personalised feedback
- Encouragement to embrace authenticity and engage with audiences
During the process, Damon experienced a significant personal breakthrough. He realised that past experiences had led him to hold back in conversations and presentations. Sarina helped him recognise that he no longer needed to sit on the fence or second-guess himself. This realisation allowed him to fully own his message and present with confidence.
Results – outcomes and benefits
Damon’s transformation led to significant improvements:
- Public speaking became the foundation of his business development process
- He now confidently delivers talks to his target audiences, for example, corporate clients, including Broadway Malyan and M Moser
- His talks now feel natural and engaging, rather than scripted
- He has received positive audience feedback on his authenticity and delivery
- He secured direct business opportunities as a result of his speaking engagements
Client testimonial
“Sarina has given me the tools, the structure, and the confidence to stand on stage and truly own my message. I now love public speaking—it’s become the first step in my business development process. I’ve secured new clients through my talks and feel completely at ease engaging with audiences. More than that, Sarina helped me unlock a personal breakthrough that has changed how I communicate in every aspect of my life.”
Summary and future outlook
By working with Sarina, Damon overcame his fear of public speaking and turned it into a key part of his business strategy. His talks now help him connect with corporate clients, share his inspiring journey, and bring real value to audiences. As he continues to refine his approach and expand his reach, public speaking will remain a vital tool in his success.
