#166 Rooted in the Heart: From Shyness to Bold Expression

Today, I interview Eric Atwood, who spent decades trapped in self-doubt, believing he had nothing of value to say. Labeled as the “shy, scared, stupid kid” after a traumatic moment in school, he carried that identity into adulthood, silencing his voice, hiding from connection, and believing he wasn’t enough.

He grew up across seven countries, constantly moving because of his father’s humanitarian work. From the outside, his childhood might have looked rich in experience. But inside, Eric struggled with the pressure to be the “good boy,” the family pacifier. His mother’s conditional love and his father’s emotional distance left him feeling unseen and unloved. He learned to stay quiet, to please, and to blend in, even when it cost him his sense of self.

Then one day, in his early forties, in the middle of a personal development workshop, he stood up in front of 150 people and spoke from his heart for the first time. That moment cracked something open. He felt alive, seen, and heard. Now, Eric helps others do the same. He guides people to connect deeply, speak authentically, and lead with presence. What once silenced him has become the very gift he offers others.

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Eric Atwood is a speech and presentation coach, communication skills trainer, copywriter, author, certified Speaking Circles® facilitator, and founder/CEO of The Speaker’s Studio.

He has a passion for language and communication, both spoken and written, and is committed to helping people express themselves clearly, confidently, and authentically in all their interactions.

Currently residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Eric has lived in seven countries and traveled to more than 50, bringing a deep understanding and appreciation of people and cultures to his work and his life.

He is also the author of New Thinking, New Being: Moving From “The Daily Grind” to a More Meaningful, Deeply Fulfilling Life.

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Find Eric here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericallenatwood/
https://www.facebook.com/eric.atwood.71
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