I’m Lisa Sheerin, born and raised in London, a city rich in culture and character! I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up here. I believe you could drop me anywhere in the world, and thanks to my upbringing in London, I would adapt very quickly.
I am creative at heart, with performing running through my veins, and I also love leading a healthy, active lifestyle. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies produced by A24, watching animations, listening to electronic music, exploring art galleries, engaging in immersive experiences, taking walks in nature, dancing at festivals, meditating, relaxing in Arabic hammams, and eating nutritious food.
At this stage in my life, I am blessed with excellent health, abundant energy, and vitality. I do not let age define me.
Lisa Sheerin, Executive Public Speaking Coach
What inspired you to transition from a career in acting and film to coaching others in public speaking and overcoming imposter syndrome?
I realized how powerless the acting industry made me feel, whereas my work as a group exercise coach empowered me. During COVID, I knew it was time to elevate my coaching practice. I studied to become a professional coach with the International Coaching Federation and used all of my life experiences and knowledge to help others overcome feelings of powerlessness, particularly regarding public speaking.
How do you integrate your experience as a fitness instructor and actor into your unique approach to public speaking coaching?
Just like an actor before the curtain rises or an athlete at the start of a race, public speaking is a state of mind. I would never roll out of bed and step onto a stage without preparing my mind and body. It’s not just about memorizing text; it’s about being present, grounded, and ready. I share tools and techniques from both of these professions to help my clients.
In your work as a coach, what has been the most rewarding moment or breakthrough you’ve witnessed in a client?
One of my first coaching clients is the female CEO of a grassroots charity. The work she does to support people with disabilities and chronic pain is nothing short of saintly, yet she didn’t believe her voice deserved to be heard or that her charity should reach a wider audience. Through our work together, I helped her recognize her strengths and values, and she realized that her voice does matter.
The journey of her transformation was awe-inspiring! She now speaks regularly at fundraising events and charity nights and has sent me photos of her in action. Ultimately, how she feels about herself and her newly developed speaking skills makes what I do feel like the best job in the world!
What lessons from working as a children’s entertainer have shaped your approach to helping adults silence self-doubt and embrace authenticity?
This lesson was a significant one for me, as I did not take this work seriously when I was younger and had some judgment around it. However, after 20 years of entertaining, this job silenced my inner critic and kept my inner child fully alive. The energy and honesty of children, the joy of being creative and playful, and the feeling of laughter help keep the inner critic at bay. I remind myself that even after all these years when I am authentically myself, I bring joy to others' lives. I share this with my clients: humor and vulnerability create connections and bring humans closer together.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
As a working actor, in 2016, I met my icon at the time, Meryl Streep, at a film premiere, and this catalyzed a change in how I viewed myself. A brief conversation with Meryl lit a spark in my mind—I had focused too long on admiring others and putting them on pedestals instead of doing that for myself. My desire to please others and seek validation from them was brought to light that night. From that moment on, it has been a continuous journey of bolstering my self-worth and encouraging others to do the same.
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