I have been radio presenting for two years and after next week’s show, I will be switching off my microphone for some time. Back in March 2021 I started conversations with Richard Dix at KL1 Radio and a few weeks later I was on air. I’d had experience on the radio previously to that – but it wasn’t a good one. The station manager was, shall we say, questionable. Enough said.
I’d always hated my voice – it was one of my recurring negative thoughts and it took me until I was a few months shy of 40-years-old to work on the belief that my voice was awful. I actually used to utter the words “I hate my voice”, which unsurprisingly led me to hate doing anything talky, including leaving answer phone messages, talking in groups and doing any kind of public speaking. 15-years ago, I was working as a make-up artist on a fabulous shoot and an hour into the day I was told that a cameraman was going to interview me about the make-up look. Instantly I felt sick. Really sick. I felt like I was going to vomit. I did the interview with a dry mouth, clenched jaw, flushed face and I had no idea what I was talking about. The mist of dread descended on me as soon as the cameraman said “action” and the entire thing was a blur. It was a horrible experience. Watching the video back was even worse, I looked uncomfortable and insecure.
Many years later, I got to grips with my voice by changing my mindset. I went from telling myself “I hate my voice” to “I love my voice” out loud, on repeat, for days. It sounds a little weird, but it works. I also worked on many other aspects of my low confidence. These days, I help women with their confidence and support in changing ingrained negative beliefs in exactly this way – it is very powerful.
So radio? Why?
Well, I have always loved music, I have always loved radio – xfm, Radio 6 Music, Virgin Radio, Radio 4, KISS have all been firm favourites over the years, so when I got the chance to be on the radio I was delighted. In 2021, I started with a few shows a week, adding in a joint show with station manager Richard Dix on Friday lunchtimes and more recently I have just been doing the Saturday lunchtime show.
Each week, despite having a full schedule (confidence clients, three-kids, dog, housework, cooking – you know the drill!), I do my show. In the past, I have entered my studio (aka garden summer house) with a sense of anxiousness – knowing that the kids were kicking off or that I was having a bit of an off-day – but as soon as I sat down to prepare the music and switch on my beloved RODE microphone and the radio software – I started to feel good. Radio is healing and I always leave a show feeling better. Nowadays doing some form of public speaking is part of my confidence strategy – I know that sounds formal, and in some ways it is, but in a nutshell I make sure I do some form of speaking every week to keep my confidence topped up and ready for when big things happen – like this appearance on Good Morning Britain last week.
Good Morning Britain appearance
After a two-year stint at KL1 I have decided to take a break. I love the guys at the station (note most presenters are guys!) and I am sure I will be back someday, but the need to focus on some big projects and to work out some stuff is highest up on my do-list right now. Streamlining my commitments and having a bit more time to think and do are a priority for me, and also I have a big urge to try something new! We’ll see.
My last show at KL1 will be on Saturday 20th May 2023 and I will be filling it with requests. Drop me a line HERE with a track you would like to hear and why, and I will do my best to play it. The deadline is Thursday 18th May. My show is usually filled with classic hits, so try to stick to that if you can!
If you would like to try your hand at radio presenting email me and I will help you if I can and put you in touch with a few people. Radio is great for mindset, musical knowledge, confidence, general well-being, meeting new people and getting your name out into the world. I urge everyone to try radio presenting, remembering not to let silly things like age, ability or lack of experience hold you back. Everyone was a beginner once.
I am keeping the mug 😉
I hope you can tune in on Saturday, take a look here for all the ways to listen: KL1 Radio website.
Long live Radio!
Lucy x
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