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Paul McHugh comments:
During high school, I was a forensic league debater and speaker, then a community theater buff in Mendocino. I’ve always thought, standing up on your own two feet to speak your mind was an important skill for people. I’ve done my best to acquire it.
Expertise in public speaking should be reckoned as a lifetime pursuit, though – one can always, always improve. I was the keynote speaker at the 2007 Trails-and-Greenways Conference in Sacramento; the keynote speaker at the annual dinner for Santa Clara University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute; gave talks for the Mount Shasta Writer Series; and was 2009 keynote speaker for the California Institute of Biodiversity annual dinner.
Topics I have covered, and can speak on again at the drop of a hat (or invitation):
- Changes and challenges in modern journalism.
- The physiology and neurology of risk sports.
- History of water-trails in North America.
- The North Coast – a 400-mile, 40-day, sea-kayak voyage along California’s most rugged shore (slides).
- Art of the narrative – how to transform life experiences into captivating tales.
I am also available to engage as a consultant and/or coach for those who wish help in preparing to speak or make any sort of public presentation.