Not long after the release of my book (Stabbed Ego) I received a phone call from a school teacher at a local high school, Hurstville Boys High. The teacher had just read my book and explained that she thought her students would get a lot out of listening to me speak. She asked if I spoke at High Schools. I was hesitant when she asked, and was going to tell her no, because my past was filled with failure. Failure in front of audiences. I was awkward in social situations and even the thought of meeting someone would make me stutter and sweat. I failed a couple of tests at personal training college because I had to explain things in front of a class. I also did the worst acceptance speech of all time at The Business Excellence awards held in Darling Harbours Exhibition Centre. 

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"Failure is only a failure if you don't learn from it." Luke S. Kennedy.

I had progressed in confidence though over the years due to working on myself every day through reading, watching inspiring YouTube videos, and attending events. So things were getting better, but I still doubted myself. I was going to say 'no' to the lady over the phone and make up some rubbish excuse... but then I remembered a quote from a man I started to follow and look up to;

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” - Sir Richard Branson

So I told her 'yes' and asked how long until they wanted me. 
"2 Weeks." was her response.

For the next two weeks I put together some content and rehearsed over and over again. The following Friday I walked into the school's library (photo above).
 and looked down at all the seats facing an area I would soon be standing.
I stood at the front and looked over all the empty seats and then the school bell rang. The silence of the library was crushed with loud boisterous year 10 students pushing and shoving, throwing their bags around, and teachers shepherding them to the seats.

I was introduced and all of a sudden word were coming out of my mouth to a whole room full of attentive young men. For 45 minutes I spoke and their attention didn't waiver. You could hear a pin drop. I looked up the back of the room and could see two teachers whispering before they nodded their heads and looked around the room smiling. 
Inside my head I was ecstatic!

The final sentence came out of my mouth and it felt like I crossed the line of an Olympic race. I felt complete ecstasy as the students erupted in applause. After the talk the students were asking for me to sign their books and to get photos. It was incredibly surreal.
I sat in the staff room after and one of the teacher’s approached me
"Luke, I've been a teacher at this school for 15 years and that was the best presentation I've seen. How long have you been a motivational speaker for?"
Inside my head, all I could think about was... 'I'm a bloody motivational speaker....'