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10 Surprising Revelations that Having Nothing to Do With Speaking

Sporting a sexy hairy cow hat with some hairy cows in the background in Scotland!

 The email read “Wow, you are human!” Sure, she was talking about how I owned up to screwing up my own newsletter and sent an apology email with a correction. It did make me think I'm not doing enough to let you into my little part of the world. To be a bit more vulnerable and to tell more of my story. I'm always encouraging you to tell yours. However, it never dawned on me that you might be interested in my own.

Here are my 10 revelations that have nothing to do with speaking. Read on if you want to learn more about the red-head with the pierced nose who writes this blog and if not – come back on Sunday night for more speaking, presentation and leadership awesomeness. 

#1 My Mom was magic

When her meds were working. I don't talk much about her struggles with mental illness to anyone. She would soar to amazing heights only to fall into the oblivion of depression. During high school, the meds were perfect and my friends would come over to hang out with her when I wasn't around. She was THAT cool! I get my sarcasm, quick wit and love of reading from her. She passed away 7 years ago. I miss my mom.

#2 I was raised by a Mr. Miyagi double who drives truck

I love to swear. I try not to on the blog, but it slips out from time-to-time – typically when I get ranty. I learned my love for the profane from my step-dad, Walter, who indeed looks like Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid. He'll kick your ass just like Mr. Miyagi too (especially if he has a claw hammer handy…but that's a story for another time). The coolest fact about Walter is that he chose to be my dad. 

#3 I've seen Duran Duran 35 times in concert 

Ta-na-na-na-na! Is all I can say about that one. Oh and yeah, I've met the band. 

I'm with the band (and my hair is curly)

#4 I'm awkward around kids

Really awkward – I just don't get those tiny human beings. No clue how to talk to them. If they could pop out around age 8, I'd consider having one. Ironically, I've become friendly with several daddy bloggers because of Triberr. 

#5 I'm a gay man trapped in a straight woman's body

There's not a show tune that I don't know. I love Glee. I've watched the movie, It's My Party, too many times to count and I still cry. Project Runway is my guilty pleasure. I know all the words to all the songs of Les Miserables and Guys and Dolls. I've seen Duran Duran 35 times in concert – how much more proof do you need? 

#6 My friends see me more clearly than I see myself

This blog started because my friend, Omar, basically dared me to start it. He was the one who saw that I had all this great communication knowledge locked in my head. I went to graduate school because a professor, Dr. Pamela Kalbfliesch (former rodeo queen – how kick ass is that?) was on a mission to prove to me that I was indeed smart. People see me more clearly than I see myself. Really – next time somebody says ‘Wow, you can do that really cool thing” don't shrug your shoulders and think everyone can because they can't

#7 My cat, Samson, sleeps on my pillow

Samson gone wild!

More nights than not he pushes my head off the pillow and I don't want to disturb him so I sleep sans pillow.

#8 I loathed living in Paradise

I moved from Hawaii to Seattle nearly 7 years ago. I'm still asked “Why would anyone move from Hawaii to the land of clouds, rain and Kurt Cobain?” It wasn't because Hawaii was expensive or there  just wasn't enough rain. Hawaii was the loneliest place on Earth for me. Paradise sucks without your people. 

#9 I met my Fiancé at speed dating

Remember, how I said I was lonely in Hawaii? Part of the reason was because Hawaii's a hard place to meet people when you're super single.  Five dates in 5 years sums it up pretty well. When I moved, I opened myself up to all possibilities for dating. I asked my friends, went online and tried speed dating. He got my digits within the first 2 minutes of our 6 minute first date. Glenn should probably start a dating blog.

#10 Failure freaks me out

I've been working with a client who is teaching kids how to fail enthusiastically. Her talk made of pure awesome has really been sticking with me. I set a super high bar for myself (I'm a Virgo – perfectionism comes with the territory) and sometimes that stops me from  finishing the book, pushing to publish, launching the podcast, developing new speeches and offering new services. It's time to put myself out there more even if it means I will fail more. 

There's my 10! Now tell me something I didn't know about you. It's your story – tell it well!

P.S. My other cat, Lola, is currently enraged she didn't make this list. She does run our house.