Is your presentation TRUE?
Trusted. Remembered. Understood. Executed.
That’s the test I use for every presentation I help someone build. Not “did it go okay?” Not “did people clap?” TRUE presentations get acted on — which is the only bit that actually matters.
If you’re already good at your job but your presentations aren’t quite doing that — not landing as hard as they should, not getting the “yes,” not being remembered past the car park — Stride is a day built to close that gap.
Watch the trailer · Grab the flyer (PDF) · Straight to booking
Why “no-nonsense” matters here
Long-time visitors here know my line: I’m not interested in standing-ovation fantasies. Applause is nice. What I care about is whether people act on what you told them.
Stride is that principle turned into a single, intensive training day. It’s not about becoming a more polished performer for its own sake — it’s about your board reports, pitch decks, conference talks and sales presentations actually doing their job.
Built on my three Es
Everything in Stride runs through the same filter I use for all my training:
Evidence — every technique you’ll learn on the day has been through the research wringer. I read the original studies, not just the blog posts about the blog posts. If something’s “common knowledge” but the data doesn’t back it up, it’s not in the room.
Engagement — the best research in the world is useless if you can’t apply it Monday morning. Everything’s translated into things you can actually use, fast, without years of practice.
Equality — whoever you are, whatever you present about, you get the same honest, direct help. (I draw the line at helping people sell evil things. Otherwise, we’re good.)
What’s actually covered
One day, six areas, all interlinked rather than taught as isolated “tips”:
- How to structure a presentation so it flows toward a decision, not just an ending
- How to design slides that back you up instead of competing with you
- Nerves and confidence techniques that survive contact with an actual audience, not just a training room
- How to hold engagement for the whole talk, not just your opening line
- How to use story as a tool for persuasion, not decoration
- Delivery — voice, pace, pauses and movement that still sound like you
Who tends to get the most from it
Stride works best for people who are already competent — you know your material cold, you’re not a nervous wreck, but something’s still getting lost between what you know and what your audience takes away.
That’s often founders, self-employed consultants, coaches and specialists — anyone pitching for funding, presenting to a board, or trying to get buy-in for their ideas, who can’t afford a presentation that merely goes “fine.”
If you’re already brilliant on stage, this isn’t for you. If you’re currently avoiding presenting altogether, this probably isn’t the first step either. It’s for the big middle ground: competent people who want compelling, not just “got through it.”
What’s in it for you, beyond the day itself
- A printed copy of my book, StoryMaking (worth £15), included
- Full lunch and refreshments — no faffing about with your own sandwiches
- A month of nudge emails afterwards, because training that isn’t reinforced mostly evaporates. Your only “homework” is to email me within 30 days telling me what you tried
- A money-back guarantee if you don’t feel it delivered — I’d rather refund you than have you leave feeling short-changed
The practical bits
Where: Haylofts, right in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne — about five minutes’ walk from Haymarket Metro.
When: 9th October 2026.
Group size: Deliberately kept small, so it stays genuinely personal rather than a lecture.
Price (rises as the date gets closer, so it pays to book early):
| Tier | Price | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Super Early Bird | £225 | Now until Friday 1 August |
| Early Bird | £275 | 2 August – Friday 5 September |
| Standard | £385 | From 6 September |
All prices include lunch, refreshments and your copy of StoryMaking. No VAT on top. Charities and CICs — get in touch for a discount code.
Not sure it’s the right fit? Book a free 15-minute call and we’ll figure it out together, no obligation.
Hear it from people who’ve done it
Who’s running it
You already know me from around this site, but for the day itself: I spent 24 years as a research scientist before this became my full-time work. I’m a TEDx speaker, the author of Presentation Genius and StoryMaking, and I’ve also been an actor, a lighting designer, a playwright, an opera director, and — briefly, memorably — a fire-eater.
In practice that means Stride gets you properly-researched technique, delivered by someone who’s actually spent a career learning how to hold a room. There’s a longer interview with me on The Real Edit if you want more of my background than fits here.
Questions people ask before booking
Isn’t this just for people who are bad at presenting?
The opposite, mostly. If your presentations were genuinely bad, this wouldn’t be the right room — Stride assumes you can already present competently and focuses on the harder gap: getting from competent to compelling.
Will it apply to my industry specifically?
Almost certainly, because the problems Stride solves aren’t industry problems — they’re audience-psychology problems. People not understanding you, not remembering you, not acting on what you said, happen in exactly the same way whether you’re in finance, tech, healthcare, or anything else.
I hate anything that feels ‘salesy’ — is this going to be cringe?
No, and honestly, neither do I. There’s no script-writing, no forced energy, no “just be more confident!” hand-waving. It’s about presenting what you already know in a way that lands. Impact, not jazz hands.
How does this differ from other presentation training I could book?
Most courses lean on slide templates and generic delivery tips. Stride combines actual research evidence with theatre training — so the focus is on how your audience experiences what you’re saying, not just how polished you look saying it.
What sort of return should I expect?
If a sharper presentation helps you land one client, win one pitch, or get one decision over the line that otherwise wouldn’t have happened, the day’s paid for itself many times over. That’s the bar it’s designed to clear.
Do I need to prepare anything beforehand?
No — in fact, don’t. Turning up with a presentation already built the way you’d normally build it just reinforces the habits we’re there to change. Do come with a clear idea of what presentations you’re actually likely to need to give.
How do I get there on the day?
Haylofts sits centrally in Newcastle. Nearest car parks are Eldon Square Multi-storey (about five minutes’ walk) or Eldon Gardens (a couple of minutes further). By Metro, it’s five to ten minutes from Haymarket. By train, allow 15–20 minutes on foot, or hop on the Metro one stop to Haymarket and walk from there. I’ll send full directions once you’ve booked.
What if something comes up and I can’t make it?
Let me know as early as possible. Because the day is planned well in advance, refunds aren’t automatic — but you’re welcome to send someone else in your place. If I can match you with someone on a waiting list, I’ll refund you directly.
I hope this covers everything you might need to know. If not, just ask me!