Whether you're preparing for a big keynote, stepping onto a stage for the first time, or sharing your story in an intimate setting, one thing is true: the best speeches come from real experiences.

When you speak from the richness your own life, you unlock the gifts your story can bear. Your audience leans in. They feel your authenticity, and they might even see their own reflection in what you share. 

But it’s not always easy to figure out which story to tell, or how to tell it in a way that you’re genuinely excited to share.

Here’s how to turn your lived experience into a speech that feels honest, energizing, and entirely your own.

Step 1: Know Who You’re Talking To

Before you start writing, pause and think about the people who will hear your story.

Ask yourself:

• Who are they?
• What could they relate to?
• What might they need to hear right now?

When you align your message with what you know about your audience’s emotions, values, and challenges, you create connection. But ...