On Friday evening I gave a 5-minute talk on chasing storms in front of 850ish people at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. It was all part of Ignite Phoenix, a very cool event and something I’m super proud to have been involved with.

But it took a lot of encouragement, praying and rehearsing to get it done. I don’t like public speaking at all…it’s always been my biggest fear and my Achille’s Heal. But in the last year or two, with all this storm chasing stuff, the haboob video…I’ve suddenly been doing a lot more things like this. I think all those TV interviews were preparation for what happened on Friday. I also need to thank Jeff from Ignite for pushing me to stick with it and do the presentation.

I’d basically been nervous for a month leading up to this. I knew my material so well I could repeat it in my sleep. It was just the act of going out on stage and turning to face 850 that scared me to death.

I still remember walking out, turning and saying to myself…”okay…here we go.” And then I spoke. And I did good.

I left the stage almost floating…hugging everyone I could. I was almost in tears. A few of us had to go sit in a special place until intermission, but all I wanted to do was find Jina in the audience and hold her forever. She believed in me, helped me and is the only reason I could ever do that.

This is something I’m so very proud of. I feel like maybe I can do anything now.

Hope you enjoy it!

Light Me Up With Your Thoughts

Connect With Me Directly

[email protected]

(480) 220-1604