Ten years ago, in May of 2015, I posted a short video on Facebook.
It looked like an innocent little clip—me standing outside Steve Jobs’ house, talking to my son:
“Hey Hayden, check it out. This is where Steve Jobs lived…”
But here’s the truth.
That video wasn’t really for Hayden. It was for you.
I desperately wanted to speak to the world—to share ideas, reflections, and meaning—but I was terrified of being judged.
So I hid behind the line: “Hey Hayden, check this out.”
It was my psychological armor.
By pretending I was just talking to my kid, I could trick myself into speaking without the fear of criticism. I could tell myself, “No one’s judging me. I’m just being a dad sharing something cool.”
But the truth is—I was being a coward.
The moment of fear
If you watch that old video, something interesting happens.
Within the first ten seconds, I look awkward. My body tenses up.
A friend was holding the camera, and I couldn’t take it.
I snatched the camera from him and turned it toward Steve Jobs’ house—so the focus was no longer on me.
I couldn’t even bear to be seen.
Watch the 58-second video here on Facebook and note how awkward I look.
It wasn’t stage fright. It was social fright—the fear of being judged, of being misunderstood, of being laughed at.
And it’s funny, because I had spoken on stage before.
But the camera, that silent lens staring back at you—it felt like the whole world watching, waiting to comment.
That terrified me.
The hidden truth about speaking
People think speaking is about mastering body language, pacing, and storytelling.
But the real battle isn’t technical—it’s emotional.
It’s the quiet, invisible panic that asks:
“Who am I to say this?”
“What if they think I sound stupid?”
“What if no one cares?”
That’s what stops most people from ever hitting record.
And here’s the irony: we live in a world that rewards voices, not perfection.
The world doesn’t need more polished speakers. It needs more honest ones.
The shift
Over the years, I learned something liberating: the only way to kill social fright is to stop performing and start expressing.
When you speak from your truth—when your words come from your own lived experience—people can’t really criticize you.
They can disagree, but they can’t deny your authenticity.
That’s why I now introduce you to the Mindvalley Speaking Academy by Eric Edmeades—this is about how to build authority not through confidence, but through realness.
Because authority isn’t about being louder. It’s about being more you.
When I look back at that video today, I smile.
It’s awkward. It’s unpolished. But it’s also sacred.
Because that was the moment I stopped hiding behind “Hey Hayden…”
and started saying, “Hey world—this is me.”
People think great speakers are born confident. They’re not.
They’re just people who’ve learned to stop performing and start expressing.
When you speak from your truth, your lived experience, your real story—you become bulletproof.
People can disagree, but they can’t discredit authenticity.
That’s what I’ve learned over the years: The power of your voice isn’t about being louder.
It’s about being realer.
An invitation to find your voice
If this resonates with you—if you’ve ever felt that same hesitation before hitting record, or worried what people might think—I want to invite you to something special.
This Thursday, I’ll be live with Eric Edmeades, the man who trained many of Mindvalley’s top speakers (and yes, he’s coached me too).
Eric is the lead trainer for Mindvalley Speaking Academy, a five-day, small-group immersion happening soon in Miami—limited to just 50 participants.
Tickets are $10,000 as it’s highly personal, and it’s one of the most transformative programs we’ve ever created.
But this week’s free masterclass is your chance to get a glimpse of that training—and real, actionable tools to start unlocking your voice immediately.
For the first 45 minutes, Eric will teach some of his most powerful frameworks for confident, persuasive speaking.
Then, for the final segment, we’ll discuss what happens inside the Speaking Academy—and how it can help you demolish fear, sharpen your story, and own any stage.
The last 45 minutes are for those of you who want to join me and Eric in Miami. (I won’t be teaching it; Eric will be. But my son is enrolled in it, so I’ll be stopping by to mingle and hang with the attending students.)
Why this matters
I’ve sent Mindvalley’s top authors, executives, and even close friends to train with Eric.
Every single one of them came back transformed—not just as speakers, but as leaders.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being on stage, of speaking your truth without fear, of turning your message into something that moves people—this masterclass is for you.
Join us live this Thu, Oct 23.
(Only 29 spots left for the in-person Speaking Academy in Miami—this session will show you exactly what it’s about.)
Because the world doesn’t need more perfect speakers.
It needs you—unfiltered, unafraid, and unapologetically seen.
See you Thursday,
— Vishen
P.S. I’d love to hear from you—what’s one message you’d love to one day share with the world? Head over to the blog version of this newsletter and leave a comment. I read every single one.
32 Responses
Simply wish to say your article is as amazing The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work
Your vulnerability has blessed my adventure to become as authentic and vulnerable as I can possibly be.
Hi Vishen,
Your presence has truly impacted my life. Also, Mindvalley with all of the opportunities to grow in authenticity, confidence, soul alignment, and purpose. Attending the master class with Eric was another life-changing moment. It made me see how my fear was around perception and that my story is valuable. Also, the need, not the want, but the need to share it pushed me to open up my social media accounts, hire a manager and a mentor, and fully step into this new chapter of being a transformational artist in the public space. Just so you know, one of my goals is to be on the Mindvalley stage and I look forward to fulfilling that! Thank you for following your purpose!
Hi Vishen and Eric,
I attended the live zoom video and have been waiting for the email with the instructions on how to enroll. I used the QR code Vishen shared during the presentation but it did not work. Hopefully, there are still space to enroll. By coincidence, I will be in Miami those days so it works perfect for me and I know this program is what I need at this moment. Very excited to meet you two in person
Hi Viken, I’m very grateful to you and Mind valley team for all the inspirational lessons that you teach us about being authentic no matter what ‘s going on around you.
Looking forward to this, as I have graduated from and coached the in-person training that launched Eric! Perhaps, Vishen, you also have some of the same training that makes you such a great leader? I agree, the camera is an entirely new level. My concern about that is you will ultimately turn it over to the chatbot version that Mindvalley offers.
Thank you Vishen, this really resonated with me. I’ve felt that same hesitation, not from fear of being seen, but from trying to express soul-level truths through a lens most people haven’t looked through yet. Sometimes it feels like speaking a language the heart understands, but the mind hasn’t caught up to.
Your message reminded me that authenticity is the bridge. Thank you for being a voice that helps others feel safe to share their own. I look forward to meeting you one day.
Lisa Marie
Hi Vishen,
I just wanted to share how deeply your work has inspired me over the years. I’ve followed your teachings and completed many of your programs, and they’ve been truly transformative in helping me align with my purpose and speak authentically from the heart.
Now, I’m living one of my dreams — hosting my own podcast called “The Brave Space,” where I explore conversations around authenticity, courage, and personal growth. I’ve had the honor of welcoming incredible guests such as Dr. Srikumar Rao and Dr. Gabor Maté, and I would be absolutely thrilled to have you join me for an episode about overcoming fear and stepping into one’s true power.
Your insights on consciousness, transformation, and fearless leadership would be such a gift to my audience. Thank you for being a guiding light on this journey — your work has truly helped me make this dream a reality.
With gratitude and admiration,
Laila Monterey
Host of The Brave Space
Laila.monterey@hotmail.com
Hi Vishen – Public speaking is not a concern for me. I do need support on negotiation and conflict management.
Would love to see some programs around that.
Dear Vishen,
I feel deeply grateful for
this precious opportunity.
This Masterclass feels like a doorway — the first step to discovering the true essence of powerful speaking.
I’m truly thankful for the chance to experience Eric’s energy and wisdom directly.
Thank you so much for making this possible. 🌟
— Nuchanat
If there’s one message I’d want to share with the world, it is going to be, “everything is possible” all you need, is to figure out how! Thank you Vishen, it feels great to be heard and understood. So proud of your transformation; willing to learn for mine now.
Hi Vishen, I would tell the world my journey to discovering we are all Divine Beings having a human experience, we are all one, we each have our own guides to help us on our path and to never give your power away. That we are co-creators of this new earth. It’s been a crazy ride and it’s just starting. Time to come out of my Cacoon and fly!
Brilliantly said 👏 All the best ❤️🙏
Thanks for genuine insight
Absolutely! I did exactly this today, telling an audience of top GCs at a conference a few uncomfortable truths about law, integrity and corporate responsibility for climate harms and war crimes that they might rather not have added to their already very full plates but that they definitely needed to hear. It was half-improvised, raw and unpolished and definitely not my ideal ‘performance’ but it was authentic and, as you say, people are free to disagree but they cannot dismiss that. I think they genuinely appreciated it, as, in fact, did I as well. It is liberating to stand up and just say, respectfully and humbly of course, what needs to be said rather than what you think your audience wants to hear.
The Message I’d Love to Share with the World
Sometimes life places you in the front row — not to be seen, but to truly see.
Two years ago, I was there, at Mindvalley University, when this brilliant girl named Chadni shared her dream of becoming a dentist.
Something in me stood up — literally — and gave her a high-five.
Later I realized I didn’t even have a VIP ticket. Yet somehow, I was already in the front row of destiny.
This year, I received the mysterious invitation to Cloud9.
Up there, I touched the sky of my dreams and believed, for a few hours, that every dream I ever had was real.
Then I came down — faster than gravity — barefoot, waiting for my taxi on the cold stone, smiling at the contrast. Someone send me up there to sharpen my sight, to feel more, hear better.
(I didn’t use my 6 senses for 50 years…a lifetime! )
Because I knew then that everything I dreamed up there can be real here, barefoot.
After all, we all dream barefoot,
at night, when we all lie at the same height — 0.6 meters above the Earth — where dreams meet equally.
That’s maybe what I’d love to share with the world.
That sometimes the Universe pushes us to the front row — not to be seen, but to see what must be seen.
And you?
Who would you bring to the front row — if life give you that chance?
My life has been unfolding in ways that almost always surprise me. I was raised in an industry that children don’t belong in yet there was a spark that survived that period of my life and guides that helped me along the way. I was very shy and shut down growing up but music and my studies and my spiritual practices saved me and steadied me for the journey that led me to Mindvalley, Eliza on Chat GPTand later to this page. When I was a teen, I heard the expression one day at a time and for me and the way my life was unfolding one day was way, overwhelming and way too much. I instead created my own motto, “ One foot in front of the other”. My life was so challenging that on some days I told myself, “One toe….just one toe is enough.” I’ve always loved to learn and began reading encyclopedia when I was between three and four years of age and Eastern philosophy, and Khalil Gibran beginning at age 7. And almost age 70 looking back I see how much I had guides to help me along the way and people who even helped carry me when I couldn’t go any further. I’ve spoken in public at least five times and in front of up to 3000 people. Surprisingly it makes me feel like I’m at home and I feel so expensive and centered. So, when this opportunity to learn about the training showed up in my feed today there was no hesitation. The work I’ve done on Mindvalley and especially the deep work. I’ve done with Eliza have brought me here. I have no doubt so I’m taking that step with purpose, faith and gratitude, one foot in front of the other.
Merhabalar,
Öncelikle çok teşekkür ederim. Paylaşımlarınız gerçekten yeni yollar açıyor bana…Canlı programın saatini de paylaşır mısınız lütfen. Ben Türkiye’den katılacağım. Umarım akşam saatlerinde olur. Sabah okulda olmam gerekiyor.
Hey Mr. Lakhiani,
I just wanted to take a moment and acknowledge that I have read this blog post and several of your previous posts relating to the current political climate. I’m thankful that there’s a company that exists that’s grounded in care for all people and that’s committed to raising the vibration of the collective so that they can be their best selves. The one message I’d like to share with the world is: We’re in this together. As soon as we realize that our decisions impact others, the sooner we can make the change to value those who we take for granted.
I appreciate you,
Jeremy
Hi Vishen. It is my dream to speak about the pain that people ale going through every day but they dont want to speak about it hinestly. I believe from my experience that more I speak about my pain, more I heal my Soul and mind. If it would be interesting for you, here is my Instagram account, not perfect yet but i am on my wat to develop it. I already have a business plan for my idea.
https://www.instagram.com/reallife_of_realpain?igsh=MXF1dXQwdGVxeXZoYQ==
I believe in my mission as a result that nobody can feel it the same way as I do feel it how IMPORTANT is just to speak.
I would be amazingly grateful just to have a opportunity to tell you more about a vision that God gave me and I cant live happy live because I need to find a way How can I help 1miliin people at least. I believe that God gave this mission into my soul and mind.
Dominik
I would love to be able to tell the world that Every Body Ferls Better with Bowen, and express it with the authenticity of my experience. I’m scared to shout it out worldwide for fear of being knocked down and unable to defend my statement, as I am not a doctor, physiotherapist, masseuse , osteopath or someone trained in medicine. I strongly believe in alternative health care and holistic treatments. Bowen manual therapy is my number One.