Showing Up Ready: I’m a storyteller…. not a model!
- Stan Hecht
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
On a Wednesday in April, I popped onto my podcasting platform to record a podcast for my St. Louis Girl Podcast after taking two classes at my gym, barely having lunch without so much as washing my face. It is, after all, audio only.
What a surprise for me to find Angela Elgani of Dance Good Vibes in complete make-up, hair, jewelry, and fashion. Her background on the video was also professionally ready, clearly illustrating her vision for the business.
“This is audio only, I probably should have mentioned that,” I said after hello.
“I meant to ask you,” Angela said. Then… “Is it okay if I video it?”
Without taking a beat to think, I said, sure and wondered how she might use it.
“I’m planning to post to my YouTube channel. Video is so important right now,” she explained.
Again, without thinking and taking a look at myself, I said, “Sure, let’s do it.”
We had a great interview, Angela and I talking about how dance has changed our lives, her danze jam class filled with positive energy, fun dance moves and high-spirited friends all having a great time. Angela created Dance Good Vibes for this very reason. Dancing makes you feel good. Those endorphins flow freely, and you just feel better in every way.
After the podcast she said she would edit the interview, and she could edit me out which would mean you would only hear my voice. I assured her video was fine.
Later thinking about it and talking it over with a friend I said, “This reminds me of Sex and the City episode when Carrie Bradshaw was asked to walk the catwalk and she says, “I’m a writer, not a model!” which is how I’ve always felt.”
Does it really matter WHAT I look like?
As a matter of fact, it does.
As in yoga, HOW I show up on the mat is HOW I show up in life.
I’ve gotten very complacent lately. I work from home, so I can work, run to yoga or danze jam class and return home to work…. All in work-out gear, t-shirts, and shorts or even pajamas. Most days I don’t take a shower until before bed. It works for me. As a creative I don’t need to be clean and dressed.
Or do I?
In addition, the podcasts I’ve been recording have all been audio, even though we can see one another. Most people are showing up the same as I am-comfortable. Yes, there have been a few who have shown up looking professional and business-like which I just thought they had pulled together for the podcast. Honestly, I didn’t think much about it or HOW I looked. I was doing my job regardless of how put together I was. Isn’t that one of the benefits of working remotely?
Thinking about it, I realized that when I was a guest on other podcasts, livestreams, and videos, I did pull myself together. (Thank you, Colleen Biggs and Kelli Rissi who always show up looking their professional best!)
I always felt better knowing I was putting my best foot forward professionally talking about what I was doing and looking the part. If I have a meeting out in the world, I will clean up. I will shower, put make-
up on, make sure my hair doesn’t look like I just got out of the ocean and put on clothing and jewelry that somewhat resembles professional wear.
This podcast recording completely threw me.
I could have asked Angela for a minute to wash my face, change my shirt, and put on a little make-up. It was a split-second decision, and it never occurred to me at that point, that I probably did indeed need to pull myself together.
I had a little time to think about this from many different angles.
Recording a podcast was part of my professional endeavors. This isn’t just a hobby; I’m doing this as part of my brand-storytelling. Is it fun? Yes. Do people listen? I hope so. Am I telling the stories that I want to in a different way than writing? I think so. I’m finding podcasts fulfilling in a completely
unique way than writing. And while podcasts can be visual, at this point, The St. Louis Girl Podcast is only audio.
As I think more about this and remember HOW I’m showing up in other parts of my professional life, I’m realizing that yes, I do need to show up looking the part. I’m giggling when I think about what a writer looks like. Carrie Bradshaw?!
I am a storyteller and I’m going to guess that I am more credible when I have pulled it all together. I might look more professional, and I can honestly say I FEEL more professional when I put thought and effort into my clothing, tame my hair, and use make-up. My demeanor and thoughts about myself change.
The very next day I was recording another St. Louis Girl Podcast, and I made sure I was home after danze jam class with time to wash my face, put on make-up and jewelry as well as professional looking clothing. It was still just audio, but I have to say the effort to look professional changed how I felt about myself. I have a way to go, however, HOW I present myself and my work really is important. If for nothing else, then HOW I think about myself professionally.
I’m a writer, a storyteller…. not a model. But that doesn’t’ mean I can’t look like one!
Expect Good. Defy Gravity. Sparkle ON! Showing up READY.
For more St. Louis Girl Storytelling blogs and St. Louis Girl Podcasts and to find out how I empower people to discover and use their voice through storytelling:
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