Today I interview Leanne Dorish, who says that people have always paid attention to her because of her height. She learned very early on that people were always watching. When she spoke, her stature sometimes led to people seeing her voice as too strong. She pulled back a bit and became a skilled listener.

She was teased consistently for one thing or another. Leanne even recalls being teased by family members. Once at a family dinner, she stood up to defend her dad during a discussion, and everyone laughed at her. She carried that hurt and fear for decades, feeling like she couldn't stand up or speak out.

As she got older, her peers never really understood her either. In high school, her very slender stature stood out even more, as baggy clothes were the trend and she found herself swimming in them. Most people didn't understand that underneath it all, she had a normal woman's body. She did nothing to correct them for fear of negative reactions. We see here that she wasn't afraid to speak; she was afraid of the response afterward.

After she graduated, Leanne says the frustration had built up enough over the years that she had become bitter, snapping at people who made critical remarks or questions based on her height. She realized she was pushing people away. She began working with the homeless community, and this was eye-opening for her. She found her courage in advocating for people who needed help. She got her Master's degree and became a counselor, learning different techniques for speaking with people.

When Leanne gave birth to her son nine weeks early, she found herself thrown into a whole new world. She was terrified by how sick he was, but she couldn't let her fear hold her back because she knew she had to stand up for her son and his care. She had counseled countless others, but this true test was in learning to use her skills and knowledge for her own situation. She strove to learn more. She eventually "caught the wave", found a coach, and has found new ways to grow and challenge herself ever since.

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Leanne is a trauma counselor, clinical supervisor, and proud Mama of a 2014 NICU graduate. She is an author, speaker, and blogger. Leanne loves supporting individuals to move from frustration to freedom, which in turn grows Love. She’s an amateur genealogist, and loves being creative and spending time with her family.

Find Leanne here:
http://www.leannedorishcounselling.com/
https://www.mynicufamily.com

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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.

Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.

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I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.

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