Gina Dallison Coaching

🏆 I won Best Speaker this week at Godiva Speakers Toastmasters Club!

But actually, the thing I’m most excited about is what I was speaking about.

I’ve decided to use the launch of my new podcast, Diagnosis Rewritten, as my DTM project!
DTM stands for Distinguished Toastmaster - the highest educational award in Toastmasters.

And this was the first time I properly stood up and shared the vision behind it.

In 2009, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

And although nobody actually sat me down and dramatically announced…

“It’s incurable.”
“It’s degenerative.”
“There’s nothing you can do.”

…that was pretty much the message I received.

And that was scary 😵‍💫

My boys were just 2 and 4 at the time. 😕

What would my future look like? What sort of mum would I be?

Spoiler alert: 😊 they’re now 19 and 21, and I reckon I’ve done a pretty bloody good job. ❤️

My body has certainly changed over those 17 years. But so have I.

And one of the biggest things I’ve learned is this:

Your circumstances do not get to write your future.

That is the heart of Diagnosis Rewritten.

I’ll be talking to people about what happens after the diagnosis - the unexpected lessons, different perspectives, practical tools, resilience, humour, hope and sometimes even the gifts that can emerge from something we would never have chosen.

And it all begins here in Rugby.

📅 11 November 2026

I’m planning a live event called:

✨ How to Feel Better with a Chronic Illness ✨

which will also officially launch the podcast.

So this little Best Speaker award feels like a rather lovely way to start putting this mission out into the world.

My vision is a big one:

To change the global conversation around illness from fear to possibility. 🙏

And yes, I’m starting in Rugby. 😁

There will be lots more coming over the next few months - the event, the podcast, guests, stories and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

For now, if you know somebody living with a chronic illness who needs to hear that their diagnosis does NOT have to be the end of their story…

Stick around.

We’re about to rewrite a few. 🦋

🎙️✨ What a lovely evening!

A huge thank you to Simon Cox and NLive Radio for such a warm welcome. 😊 Simon made the interview feel so relaxed, and I thoroughly enjoyed our chat.

We talked about my coaching, my own journey with MS, and I even got to share a sneak peek of my new podcast, Diagnosis Rewritten, launching before the end of November. 🦋🎧

Of course, we also chatted about Toastmasters - where Simon and I first met at NN Clear Speakers in Kettering. 💙

It's been such a huge part of my journey, giving me confidence, friendships and opportunities I never imagined.

I'm feeling very grateful... and even more excited about what's to come! 🚀💫

NLiveRadio

So grateful that Harriet Connides really captured the essence of our beautiful pets.

Such talent.

Thank you 🙏😊

💙 A year of showing up...

A year ago, I said yes to becoming an Area Director... even though I wasn't really looking for the role.
If I say yes to something, I know one thing about myself...

✨ I give it my all.

Am I super organised? 😂 Nope.

Always prepared? 😅 Also no.

But I care deeply about people, and I always do my very best.

Living with MS means showing up isn't always easy. Every meeting, every contest and every mile travelled takes energy (and usually Bumblebee 🛵 too!).

This year stretched me in so many ways:
🇮🇪 Solo trip to Ireland.
🎤 Delivering my Presence Over Performance workshop.
🏆 Organising the Area Contest.
🤝 Supporting clubs, members and new leaders.

The biggest lesson?

💙 Showing up matters.

This week, our Division Director described me as someone who teaches simply through my presence.

That meant more than he probably realised because it's exactly what this year has taught me.

And although leadership isn't about collecting titles, I'm incredibly proud that Area 44 became the only President's Distinguished Area in District 71! 🎉

Now it's time to hand the baton to Julio, who I know will do a fantastic job leading Area 44 into its next chapter. 🙌

As for me, I'm excited to focus on being the best Vice President of Education I can be at my wonderful home club, Godiva Speakers.

💙 Sometimes growth isn't about climbing higher.
It's about growing deeper.

MultipleSclerosis PresenceOverPerformance ShowUp Community LeadershipJourney Growth District71

☀️🎤 Hot weather. Brilliant ideas. Amazing people. 💡❤️

Yesterday I spent the day at TEDxWolverhampton, cheering on my Toastmasters friend Violetta, whose talk on AI imposter syndrome 🤖💭 really got people thinking.

It was one of many inspiring talks, each bringing a fresh perspective and reminding me just how powerful it is when people have the courage to share an idea. ✨

The best surprise? 😄 As I was heading out for lunch 🍽️, someone recognised me from Toastmasters! That led to lunch with Tunde and Sharan Rehlon l Holistic Elevation from the newly chartered Wolverhampton Speakers Club Toastmasters. ❤️

Moments like these remind me why I love both TEDx and Toastmasters.

💡 Sharing ideas.
🎤 Finding your voice.
🤝 Building genuine connections.
🌱 Never stopping learning.

You never know where one conversation, one speech or one event might lead. ❤️✨

Congratulations to everyone involved in creating such a fantastic event! 👏

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