The FFA Way - Madison Pauley

  Public Speaking in FFA If public speaking scares you, you're far from alone. Fear of public speaking, often called glossophobia, is one of the most common forms of anxiety. Surveys have consistently found that a significant portion of people experience anxiety about speaking in front of others, and even experienced speakers can still experience nervousness before going on stage. Think about that. The person giving the speech who looks completely confident might have a racing heart just like you. The person holding the microphone without shaking might have been shaking five minutes earlier. The person who sounds incredibly comfortable might actually be nervous too. Confidence doesn't always mean the absence of fear. Sometimes, confidence is simply deciding that the fear isn't going to make the decision for you. Why Does Our Body Do That? One of the most interesting things about public-speaking nerves is that your body isn't actually trying to make you fail. It's tr...

  About the Host Who Is Madison Pauley? Welcome to the new FFA Way Blog—the newest addition to The FFA Way. My name is Madison Pauley, and I’m a junior from Galt-Liberty Ranch FFA, located in the heart of California’s Central Valley—the food bowl of our nation. I’m an FFA member, student leader, and the founder and host of The FFA Way. While FFA has become a significant part of my life, my journey into agriculture is probably not what you would expect. My FFA Journey I did not grow up in an agricultural background. I wasn’t raised on a farm or ranch, and agriculture wasn’t something that was deeply embedded in my childhood. Before joining my school’s agriculture program, I had very little knowledge of the industry. I didn’t know the terminology, I didn’t understand the different sectors of agriculture, and I certainly didn’t know what FFA was. When I first walked into an agriculture class, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. I cert...