Bridge 4 Better: Pitching Vulnerability (See it here first)

Karen Boulton
Nov 10, 2025
4 min read

Bridge 4 Better: Pitching Vulnerability (See it here first)

Systemic advocacy, powered by lived experience and faith-rooted ethics, championing policy reform in disability, youth, mental health & regional equity for all Australians.

🌉 Stepping Onto the Bridge

Recently, I attended the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre’s Pitch Night to present an idea close to my heart: mental health workshops in high schools.

This was a first for me: not the public speaking part, but pitching my own idea to a room full of people and judges.

I’ve spoken in the Youth Parliament, addressed councils, pitched to politicians, opened events, and even spoken at a national headspace conference. Stage fright has never been part of my story. Sure, I’ve had nerves like anyone, but this night was different.

The room was small, fewer than 50 people , but my hands were shaking, my stomach churned, and I was sweating in a way I never do. For the first time, I experienced something I’ve spoken about but rarely felt this strongly myself: true stage fright.

📝 What This Post Covers

A personal story of pitching for the first time
Exploring unexpected nerves and vulnerability
Lessons learned about growth, preparation, and resilience

🌱 A Different Kind of Nerves

I could list plenty of practical reasons for my nerves:

I’d half-read the pitch memo and didn’t realise I needed to submit a PowerPoint or video. (Yes, I made my slides in the car on the way there 🙈.)
My idea was being judged alongside others.
I was the youngest pitcher in the room, something I’m used to but still self-conscious about.

But beneath all of that was something more personal. For the first time in years, I was publicly sharing my “why” the personal story that sparked my mental health advocacy at 14. I’ve written about it recently, but I hadn’t spoken about it in person in a long time.

This wasn’t just another speech. This was my idea, born from lived experience, presented vulnerably. Furthermore, after recently being hurt by someone I trusted deeply, my confidence was shaky, and standing there felt raw like stepping on stage without any armour.

🎤 The Pitch Itself

Before leaving home, I felt sick. My hands shook. I drank more water than usual (a rare healthy accident), and I noticed symptoms I hadn’t felt this strongly before.

But when it was time, I got up there and did it anyway.

Was it my best performance ever? Probably not. Did anyone notice? No. In fact, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People told me I did a great job. One person even approached me afterwards, someone with the skills and networks that could help turn my idea into reality.

I didn’t win the funding, but I walked away feeling incredible. I’d tried something new, pushed outside my comfort zone, and learned more about myself in one night than I expected.

🧠 Lessons From the Pitch

Reflecting on that night, here’s what I learned:

✨ Stage fright can look different for everyone. I realised I’ve always had a subtle version of it: hyper-focusing, drinking water, blocking out the world but this time, it surfaced more strongly.

✨ Vulnerability can be scarier than public speaking. Sharing your story and your idea leaves you exposed. But that’s also what makes it powerful.

✨ Trying something new and not winning can be a gift. I may not have walked away with the funding, but I gained something better: connections, clarity, and growth.

✨ Preparation matters. I work well under pressure, but I also like to be organised. This experience reminded me that “winging it” has its limits, and I want to develop stronger preparation habits moving forward.

✨ Courage isn’t the absence of fear, its having fear and doing it anyway.

💡 Bridge Notes: Key Takeaways

Even experienced speakers can face new forms of fear in unfamiliar settings.
Vulnerability amplifies nerves, but it also deepens authenticity.
“Losing” isn’t failure, it’s often the path to new opportunities.
Preparation and adaptability are both valuable leadership skills.
Stepping into the unknown builds the kind of resilience that matters most.

🌍 Your Invitation to Reflect and Act

Think about the last time you tried something new and felt nervous in a way you didn’t expect.

👉 What did that experience teach you about yourself?👉 How might those lessons prepare you for the next leap?

Courage often hides in the moments that don’t look like victories.

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📝 Next Post (Coming Soon)

Title: National Leadership Forum 2025 key takeaways: A moment of reflection on the powerful lessons and insights I’ve gained during my time at the National Leadership Forum.

Thank you for joining me on the bridge. Let’s learn together, connecting lived knowledge with policy that makes life better for people in our towns, suburbs and regions.

From the Fraser Coast: let’s keep building,

Karen Boulton-Gorry

Bridge 4 Better