23.12 | Dec '23: Happy Students & The birth of StageRebels.com

December 2023 was a busy month for StageRebels.com... We finalised the coaching sessions with some very happy and proud students, StageRebels itself got born and off-course, we had to prepare as well for a proper holiday season!

Happy Students

A few weeks ago, I was approached by a professor at the local university about some of his students having a real fear of speaking in public. He had seen this before and knew how to handle it, but these students had never stood in front of the class to present something and therefor they more attention than he would be able to provide them.

At first, none of these students knew each other really well, so sharing about their fears was not something that came easy, but as the first session progressed, they started to understand that they were all there for the same reason. As always with younger students, they need some understanding to why speaking in front of people is so important in life, that it is not just about standing on a stage in front of a large audience, but also about pitching an idea before friends or coworkers in smaller settings, even 1 on 1.

During the second session, we learned about a homework assignment which would require them to present their findings from a simple research to their class. A great goal to work towards as we still had some weeks before the research would finish. During this same session, we started talking a bit about the worst things that could go wrong and we did some small exercises, just to get started. During these exercises, some started getting really nervous and at the same time, they all started supporting each other!

These kids knew what the others were feeling and so they really started to cheer each other up and provide feedback to make it easier or better. Two of the students decided to go outside of the room to practice together in private. I was curious to what they were doing, but decided to let them be, and when they came back they explained that practicing in front of all the students was to scary, so they practiced on each other first.

By the end of the second session, all the students introduced themselves in front of each other. Standing up, in front of a group, talking out loud. You could clearly see the nerves but also the pride they felt after they were done.

Over the final sessions, they showed more and more of a companionship and they supported each other through thick and thin. They called them selves the "Nerve Wreckers" and I was titled "Chief Nerve Wrecker".

During our session this week, the student that clearly had the most fear came in early, all proud. He told me that he stood in front of a class of 28 students and presented his research. He was the first of all the students to do so and it went great! He never believed me when I told him about the adrenaline shot afterwards, but he felt it and it was great!

That session, the other students left all excited as they to would soon present their research in front of the class... I can't wait for our final closing session next Thursday and at the same time feel sad to say goodbye.

These kids came so far and went so quick. Not just with conquering their fears but with the support they gave each other in tough situations, even though they didn't really know each other.

The birth of StageRebels.com

Over the last few months, StageRebels went from just an idea somewhere in the back of my mind to what it is now. Especially this last week it went fast as we are on holidays at my in-laws in Slovenia, where I always have a lot of time to spent with my own thoughts as my wife and kids are to busy catching up.

Up until a week ago, I didn't really decide on what name to use. Originally I was planning on using my own name, but at the same time I wanted it to be a bit more catchy. So after trying out a few names over the last few weeks, it was last week while doing nothing that the name StageRebels popped up. Quick check and StageRebels.com was still available, so this is the name to use :)

During the same week I have been busy with a few more things. First the design of the website and making everything to my taste, as well as writing some first content to see how it all looks when combined. On the other side, and I think this is the part where I made some real good progress, is what the content will be. Where do I want to focus on first, how do I want to word it and bring it to the people?

On paper, the structure and priorities are now known and soon they will start to take shape on the website as well. Quickly after that, I will also start recording the video's to go with it. There is still a lot to figure out, but we are still here for a week before traveling back home, so I am pretty sure that everything will be thought through by the time the next Blog hits the website :)

Happy Holiday Season!

Off-course, as the end of the year approaches, I wish you all a happy holiday season and a wonderful and fearless 2024!

Header image

My wife is quiet creative in the kitchen and decided to bake some cookies and shape them like a little snow village, with some rosemary as Christmas threes.