The first night of Real Speaking I found myself sitting in a circle of strangers. Every one of them, I'm sure, thinking the same thing I was thinking. How in God's name did I get myself into this? What trick did the Universe play on me to get me to sign up for this?

But, by the end of the weekend, I was amazed. Amazed and happy and feeling very full. I had truly stepped out on a limb on faith and been supported. These strangers had opened their hearts through a carefully crafted process and we have all come away feeling blessed in ways we never could have imagined.

Real Speaking is one of the greatest gifts I have ever given myself.

For many years I've felt that I needed the skills to stand up in front of a group and speak with ease. Haunted by memories of high school "deer caught-in-the-headlights" class presentations, I even enrolled in an open university public speaking class, only to chicken out at the last minute. I knew my material, but the thought of standing in front of an audience was just too much for me, and I couldn't even make myself go back to class to give my presentation.

Then I heard from two different colleagues about how amazing their experience was at Gail Larsen's Real Speaking camp. The truth is that I had given up on the idea of public speaking -- but both of them really encouraged me to go, and it seemed that Real Speaking might be exactly the thing that could help me make the kind of internal shift I knew I needed.

In my work producing conferences, I have seen literally hundreds of speakers, and no matter how much experience someone has, I believe that the Real Speaking camp could benefit anyone, experienced or not.

How many of us really perform to our full potential? Given a moment to consider, I think we can all say that we continue to aspire to that quantum shift to the next level.

What would it look like if you were to shift your presentation skills to the next level? How about a quantum leap in your ability to hold an audience?  How about discovering that your real message is something  you hadn't even considered?  Or how about moving through whatever stands in the way of speaking your truth - not only to others but also to yourself?

Whether someone has been on the circuit for years, or is a novice, this extraordinary package is designed so well that anyone sincerely applying themselves will experience a change in how they present, whether they're  speaking to one person or to thousands.

No matter what the topic, people are energized when the speaker is energized. When there is an energy exchange between the speaker and the audience, the audience loves it. They don't want to be talked at, they want to be spoken to. They want to be included in that exchange -- but we can't feed the audience if we're not full ourselves!

The big question is how do we identify when we're doing it, and when we're missing the mark? This is what the Real Speaking camp is all about and what made the experience so powerful for me.

This March was actually my second time to attend Real Speaking. The first time was profoundly beneficial, and that is why it felt right to do it again. In the same way that you cannot step into the same river twice, a new me showed up to experience the workshop the second time around.

A year ago, when I first came, I was still processing my mother's recent death. Although I thought I was "fine" and was pushing on to new things, I can look back now and see that I was deep in "de Nile."

I did make a significant breakthrough the first time, but as the year unfolded, I knew that I could move to another level. There was a certain moment that it came through like a flash of lightening that I needed to do this workshop a second time. I realized that there was still a part of me that I was hiding, and it was time to take another leap.

The retreat is not just about speaking -- it's about doing life. How many of the world's great spiritual teachings are based on the simple idea that to be truly alive one must be present in the moment? And here we are -- seeing that life and speaking are not separate, but interwoven in a living, breathing dynamic whole. I would love to see this workshop be part of every young person's coming of age process.

Gail reminds us that each of us has gifts and talents nowhere else duplicated, this is our original medicine. We cannot be our authentic selves without being in touch with this original medicine, but because we cannot see ourselves as others see us, this magic is often hidden from us. Gail has an amazing ability to hone in and see the hidden gift that we carry, and then to help us consciously get in touch with it.

When you are being your authentic self, your true passion drives your presentation. Feeling your passion is what grips an audience -- makes them sit on the edge of their seats, makes them want more.

Gail delivers basic information and structure, leads participants through exercises, and coaches presentations with masterful skill. Each component of the workshop leads seamlessly to the next.

Everything is set up so that the participants can be present in the moment. Nestled in the pinon and juniper just outside of Santa Fe, the Bobcat Inn (which hosts Real Speaking participants only during the retreat) provided a cozy home-like retreat setting. There were wonderful catered meals, and nutritious snacks were always available for munching. Not having to think about preparing food or driving somewhere else to sleep allowed us to stay in the flow of the process.

Gail creates an environment that meets people where they are in the moment and supports each person in moving to greater levels of trust so they can feel as safe as possible in taking each new step.

No matter how much we practice in front of a mirror, it cannot have the same result as well placed honest and constructive feed back. I found that Gail's practiced eye and trained ear are worth far more than the price of the camp. Drawing from a clear intuitive sense of what will support each participant, her coaching is right on the mark.

Developing the unknown treasure, this mystery, is really what makes Real Speaking so extraordinary, and sets it apart from other public speaking workshops.

For the first time, I was able to experience what it feels like to stand in my power and tell the truth. When I left the workshop I felt wonderful. I felt that my heart had opened a thousandfold. I had definitely made the shift I was looking for.

Real Speaking far exceeded my expectations. Anyone serious about their speaking career or being authentic in their self-expression cannot afford to pass up this opportunity.

The last day of Real Speaking I found myself sitting in a circle of friends, men and women who were complete strangers just a few days before. We had taken this journey together. Laughed and cried together. We had come to recognize and honor each other's unique gifts.

I left the weekend feeling full, energized, and so happy that I had had the courage to go for it.  In my willingness to be vulnerable, I found myself revealed rather than exposed.  Sometimes a leap of faith is the only thing that will get us where we need to go.

I remember at one point, one of the other participants in my group said, "I don't want to die before singing my song." I agree.

And I'm not going to die before singing my song.

Barbara Gordon