By Tim Collins
Stephanie Staples is an interesting woman.
She’s slept in an igloo when it was 40 below and has worked briefly as a runway model, a clown and a mascot (a pelican in a very hot suit).
She can’t go underwater without plugging her nose and, while at school, was picked last for every sport she ever played.
She is also a contributing author for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, has written a novel, and is a contributing writer, a radio personality and a digital and online content creator.
In 2013, Staples was awarded the highest designation in the speaking industry, becoming a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). That award, conferred by the National Speakers Association is the international speaking professional’s measure of competence.
“I am not the best speaker in the world – but I am real and genuine and authentic and when I speak whether it’s at Mayo or in the Middle East – people wake up, people get it,” said Staples. “Not everyone, of course – I can’t want a better life for someone more than they want it for themselves – but enough to matter, enough to know that I am making a positive difference, I’m doing something very necessary, very important.”
Her latest presentation, entitled Love, Laughter and the ‘Try’ Angle is a unique blend of storytelling, audience interaction, practical tools, and maybe even a little music. Audiences are left feeling equipped to improve the quality of their lives and, by extension, the quality of the world.
Staples characterizes the evening as a call to action and, judging from the overwhelmingly positive response to her “Evening of Inspiration” event in 2022, it is likely to hit the mark.
“Speaking, I discovered, allowed me to share my message and help many more people than I could with personal coaching – I can ‘coach’ from the stage and make a significant impact on more people than I ever could coaching one-to-one,” Staples said.
Love, Laughter and the ‘Try’ Angle will take the stage at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre on Jan. 26. Tickets starting at $45.15 are available at marywinspear.ca.
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