Enjoying one of many fun moments as co-host of The State of Happiness talk radio show

With decades of experience behind me, I’m now looking to inspire You!

Most people prefer the dentist chair over public speaking. Not me.  Give me a microphone and I’m off on a long love affair with the audible word, honed over decades and developed through a variety of life experiences.

Perhaps it started in high school when I was chosen President of the Girls’ Leaders Club. The club was designed for girls in sports and I was probably one of the most non-athletic students in school. It never made any sense as to why I was selected to play public mouthpiece. Perhaps no one else wanted the job.

In law school, fellow students nominated me moot court team spokesperson. Possessing no interest in a future law career and preferring to yield the role to others, my teammates held me to the fire. I served as public voice and my persuasive argument helped us win the trial.  

Following a move to Florida, I was promoted to Sales Manager in the rapidly developing Telecom industry.  Conducting regular motivational meetings meant keeping one step ahead of highly energized sales reps.  I loved the challenge!

For nearly a decade, I addressed sales, management and support personnel in engaging, interactive and instructional sessions. Our meetings were fun, productive and inspiring: everyone got an opportunity to play a role in achieving our collective goals.

Addressing a teachers conference about the children’s book series and music I published.

The affinity for speaking with the public didn’t cease when I stepped away from  corporate leadership.

Helping my husband build our computer rep business, I worked scores of sales fairs and conducted a training presentation with 700 listeners in my audience. My husband (who used to avoid public speaking like the plague) tricked me into the role.    

Later, as Publisher of a best-selling series of preschool books, I publicly addressed teaching professionals and read aloud to scores of little children. Got to admit I was better suited to the adult audience, but preschoolers got a grand kick out of how I’d include them in the fun!

As a proponent of children’s literacy and lover of the Spanish language, I’ve appeared before immigrant moms learning English as a second language and served as motivational speaker to 800 Spanish-speaking elementary school children. My message to the pep rally:  Si Yo Puedo! (Translated: Yes, I can!)

Addressing a pep rally of 800 elementary students (in my rusty Spanish) on overcoming life challenges in this wonderful, hope-filled atmosphere!

There’s been more. As a person with engaging ideas, I’ve addressed civic, special interest, and women’s groups which booked me as a speaker for their luncheons, brunches and leadership events.

Even when I wasn’t asked, I still found outlets to speak publicly. My volunteer years included assemblies at elder care facilities. I’d play the piano, lead in sing-alongs and share uplifting stories - often with my daughter in tow.

Speaking to Tampa Bay’s International Group

I’ve even brought my public speaking to a world far beyond my own. For two years, I delivered thoughtful questions, words of hope and opportunities for group discussion to teenage girls at a Tampa Bay incarceration facility.   

Over the years, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to get before a microphone. I’ve made guest appearances on television and radio shows with interviews covering legislative, cultural, and children’s literacy issues. I’ve delivered instructional leadership seminars and even co-hosted a Tampa Bay radio talk show where we’d interview and promote others who were authoring books, pursuing exceptional ideas and living authentic lifestyles. 

Celebrating our best-selling Inky Winky Spider series of rhyming books on Tampa Bay’s Studio 10 morning TV. Left to right: host Michelle Phillips, Author Cyndi Sue, Publisher Maura Sweeney and co-host/comedian Tim Wilkins. A very fun – and funny – morning.

These days, I’m very happy speaking under my very own moniker – Maura4u. It’s my brand that inspires others to rise into their highest self. As a proponent of personal happiness and authentic living, I’ve launched 200 Maura4u videos. 

Search YouTube for Maura4u and you can find me anywhere. I’ll show up in places like the U.S. Supreme Court,  at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s childhood home, in Bucharest, Romania in front of their former White House, inside Turkey’s ancient Haggia Sophia museum and New York’s former Limelight Club.

In every video, you’ll find me providing topical information, asking insightful questions, and inspiring viewers to get more out of life.

As author of The Art of Happiness, my book series subtitled “See Yourself & Be Yourself”, I guest on radio interviews and serve as keynote speaker for business, college and special interest groups. I use my books on Competition, Judgment, Values, Influence, Comfort Zones and even Nonsense as familiar talking points to get beyond the norm. I want to see people rise up to better living and seeing themselves through a brighter lens.

For years, I’ve served as mouthpiece and promoter to others’ missions, agendas and goals.

Today, as Maura4u, my public speaking serves my own purpose. It aims to inspire others to rise into their very best. 

What could be better than being happy, at peace and living out your most authentic life?  It’s just me being me and loving what I do!

I think I’ve made my point.  I am a Public Speaker. Now give me that mic!