Come ON, ya’ll KNEW I couldn’t keep my mouth shut a whole WEEK, right????
Hi! This is Coach MK, and THIS is the Morning Mantra.
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Hi, my name is MK Fleming. I'm a run coach based in Denver, Colorado. But this isn't a podcast about running, exactly. Don't tell my clients, but *whispers* we're never really talking about the running. When you know a crap-tastic event is coming it helps to have a mantra to keep you centered and focused as you move through it. You don't have to be an athlete to be hashtag #coachedandloved by coach MK. And if you are here, then you are hashtag #winningatlife.
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If you follow me on Strava you may have seen today’s horrorshow of a tempo run. Part of it was the air FOR SURE omg it was gross….but the rest….is fear.
That’s right, I”m scared.
Tomorrow morning I fly to Atlanta for a conference for female podcasters where I will be speaking on a panel about finding your unique voice. I KNOW, it’s a good fit, right?????
It’s a good fit, and by all accounts and metrics BOTH of our podcasts are doing really well...much to our surprise though, THIS podcast, The Morning Mantra, is the runaway success. We’ve been in the top ten in Apple Podcast’s new Mental Health category consistently in multiple countries, including the US. I never would have predicted that- I just wanted to keep people who relied on me for confidence and a daily microdose of self-assurance tethered to me in some way; no matter what happens you can always have a little piece of Coach MK if you need it.
The irony strikes right about now, and then imposter syndrome sets in. Who the hell am I to give anyone confidence? I’m SCARED!
Specifically, I’m scared of networking events. I know a lot of really outstanding people- all of my bridesmaids from my wedding are the kind of women you want your daughters to be, the women you want your daughters to look up to. Power brokers. Best in their fields. I’m proud as hell of them- they have capital-C CAREERS and when they show up places, people show up to meet THEM. They hold all the cards.
Meanwhile, my credit cards aren’t even in my own name. Though it can be said that I’ve monetized my hobby, my passion if you will (even though I hate that word) our lifestyle is absolutely funded by my husband’s job, and that keeps me awake at night.
When it comes to networking…I suck at it. Remember, I’m mostly deaf in my left ear and don’t see very well, and the last few times I’ve met people in person...let’s just say the feedback left scars. They weren’t here for you, it was never YOU they wanted, you aren’t 'new' anymore, you are REALLY disappointing in person….I’ve tried connecting with a few conference participants through the conference app, and their responses...did not inspire confidence, did not cut through the ghosts of bullies past living in my head.
Last night I finally broke down on the phone to my husband, saying what the HELL am I doing and I”m SORRY I asked you to come home early this is STUPID...1:1 is my thing and networking is all elevator pitches and smoke and mirrors and bollocks and I DO NOT WANT TO BE GOOD AT THAT…
My beautiful husband, my best friend, reminds me that he was the first person to put his money where my mouth is, that all I need is one person to believe. He reminds me what my nicknames were in my previous roles, back when I had a Capital-C career, nicknames I'm proud of but won’t repeat so please don’t ask!, reminds me that what people want from me is hope, the hope they can no longer muster for themselves until they have me cheering for them in their corner. “You are incredible in person. You don’t kiss butts because you don’t have to- you don’t NEED this to work so badly you’d make changes or compromises to your vision to get there. You’ve said yourself you’d go back to this being a hobby before you’d align with values you don’t live. All they have to do is see you to be sold on what you are doing, so let them see you.”
Let them see you. He makes it sound so easy.
So, the mantra: In those moments when I walk into rooms full of people looking to be ‘discovered’, rooms full of people who are wanting to meet the Power Brokers, the Players, everyone BUT me, I’m going to hear my voice in the back of my own damned head saying, “let them see you”...and sit up a little straighter. I have 5 full-time employees at the moment working on a volunteer basis, all of whom believe in my vision. That’s not smoke and mirrors, that’s not bollocks, and that is NOT, nothing. I am here to sell, and I CAN sell this.
*cue outro music*
You are Coached. You are Loooved, and you ARE winning at life. And you're definitely winning at life if you subscribe to my Nuzzel Newsletter, follow me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. feel free to do all three!
I HAVE WAITED A LONG DAMN TIME TO FIT INTO THESE CLOTHES AGAIN.
