About Aaron
From being heckled in a Year 10 morning assembly...
to becoming a National Public Speaking Champion!
Once Upon a Time in a School Hall in Sunderland...
Lived a newly qualified teacher. I was a fresh faced 25 year old who had bags of confidence speaking in front of people.Â
One day, I was invited by the headteacher to deliver a week-long series of assemblies, starting with 250 Year 7 kids, and finishing with over 200 Year 11 students.
The week started well, but then Thursday's assembly with the dreaded Year 10 group (14-15 year olds) came...
I gave the exact same assembly to the Year 10 students that I gave to Year 7 on the Monday. The room looked bored, uninterested, but I continued, trying to add more charisma and showmanship to the mix.
Suddenly, Jake (classic antagonist, like Nelson from the Simpsons) shouted "Hey, Mr Day... your f**king boring!".
The hall giggled, gasped, and I had no idea what to do next. After that experience, I vowed to never do another assembly again!
Afterwards, I sat down with the headteacher and explained what happened.
"That's an awful experience for you... but did you take the time to know your audience?"
That was an awakening. From that point, I took a very different approach to public speaking...
The Public Speaking journey...
I then started to think deeply about public speaking, from understanding how to feel present and connect with audiences of all ages, to learning how to craft speeches and presentations that engage and excite.
During Covid lockdown Pt1, I joined Toastmasters International, a fantastic organisation that supports people to develop their speaking and leadership skills.Â
This was when I started taking part in public speaking contests (who would've thought such a thing exists!).Â
I won my first national contest title online in 2022. Then, at the big Toastmasters International UK/Ireland conference in Ireland in 2026, in front of over 300 people, I won my first in-person national title!
Though the title was a huge achievement, what I will always remember is the wonderful conversations I had with people afterwards. People who believed in the stories and the core message I was trying to deliver. Public Speaking is an opportunity to connect, not an opportunity to perform...
From speaking to coaching...
In June 2024, I decided to combine my love for teaching, education and development with my passion for public speaking.
'Aaron Day: Coaching Authentic Public Speaking' was born.Â
Since that time I have maintained the same core mantra: to facilitate 'Positive Laboratories' where people can come together and ENJOY learning and practicing public speaking and mass communication without feeling like they have to take on a different persona.
After all, aren't the best public speakers you engage with authentic?
From coaching TEDx speakers, to working with big organisations like University of Sunderland and Baltic Apprenticeships, the journey has only just begun!