STEP UP TO THE MIC!
How you communicate shapes what you accomplish.
IOANA JONGSMA
Ioana has been helping speakers find their words since 2008. She has worked with over 400 leaders, experts, founders, and policymakers of 46 different nationalities and across industries ranging from Tech, FMCG, Pharma, and Energy to Finance, Logistics, Agribusiness and European Commission Agencies. To date, Ioana has supported 24 TEDx speakers to deliver the talk of their lives on TEDx stages across Europe, India and the US. Ioana is an ICF Associate Certified Coach, a Gestalt Professional Certified Coach, and a NeuroMindfulness Master Practitioner.
Talent is overrated.
Public Speaking and Leadership Presence are not just for the lucky few. We can all be compelling communicators! All we need is to understand ourselves – our brain and body – and get our biology to work for us, rather than against us.
Today, I am on a mission to help speakers not just do an excellent job of sharing their ideas, but also to LOVE doing it!
Ioana Jongsma
I joined Ioana’s Public Speaking course determined to learn how to become a better speaker for my students. The course is packed with valuable insights on managing stress, improving diction, using gestures, and structuring presentations. However, for me, the biggest breakthrough came from within. I realized that many of my speeches were more about my desire to share knowledge than about addressing the needs of my listeners. Ioana’s course helped me shift my focus back where it belongs—on my audience.
During the two days of the in-person course, I was joined by fellow university colleagues with different experiences. Yet, in every one of them, there was a personal “aha” moment, an insight, and a discovery.
I wholeheartedly recommend this course. Beyond the wealth of information, such an experience can shortcut years of practice and offer revelations in just two days that might otherwise take years to uncover.
Having the opportunity to work with Ioana as her mentee [in the Soulfuls “Dreamers and Doers” 2024 cohort] was an absolute privilege.
When I was paired with her, I was thrilled at the prospect of learning from her insights on running a business and structuring life as a freelance coach. Initially, I thought I only needed guidance on the technical aspects of starting a freelance career. However, as we connected over Zoom during our sessions, our conversations naturally expanded beyond the technicalities to explore the emotional nuances of my freelance journey. We discussed everything from the overthinking after my first networking coffee, to the thrill of booking my first gig, and, of course, navigating the ever-present imposter syndrome. Ioana’s thoughtful and curious nature made each interaction feel deeply meaningful.
I’ve always found it challenging to process my emotions, often choosing to push aside tricky feelings and focus on the ‘practical’ elements.
Ioana encouraged me to pause, reflect, and truly engage with how I was feeling in any given situation. Though initially uncomfortable, this practice taught me that emotions and professionalism are not mutually exclusive; feelings and business can indeed coexist.
It was this introspective work, guided by Ioana, that made my experience as a mentee not only deeply personal but transformative. She encouraged me to celebrate both my successes and my rejections – a ritual I plan to carry forward into this journey. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with Ioana. Her wisdom and encouragement have left an indelible mark on this formative period of my freelance journey.
I have had the privilege of having Ioana as my coach to help me prepare for my first Tedx talk. From the very first conversation with Ioana, even before the formal coaching sessions, there was an amazing positive energy I experienced with her. Ioana has the amazing ability to make you feel comfortable and calm.
During the coaching sessions, Ioana provided clear, concrete and encouraging suggestions and nudges. While I speak in front of audiences as part of my job all the time, Ioana was able to challenge me and push me to rethink how I structure my content to be even more effective at communicating to and engaging with my audience. I really looked forward to my weekly coaching session with her, and have missed them since.
What I have learnt from Ioana wasn’t just useful for the delivering my Tedx talk but they have become a part of my style of speaking. For anyone who needs some support to push them to be even more effective public speakers, I would highly recommend Ioana.
Working with Ioana (Jo) Jongsma has been transformative.
Her calm strength and patience helped me discover my unique vision and articulate my ideas in a strengths-based way. Jo’s integration of mindfulness techniques provided a core of balance and calm, allowing me to make the intended impact in my speaking and interviews. Her guidance has been invaluable, empowering me to communicate confidently and effectively.
I highly recommend Jo to anyone looking to enhance their communication skills, while still retaining (and finding!) authenticity and individuality.
Jo helped me achieve clarity and to discover a voice that will be a tool for reaching people.
“Working with Ioana was one of the most supportive and clarifying experiences I have had. She patiently helped me shape and define the narrative that ultimately became my TEDx talk.
I believe we went through at least 10 versions and with each walk-through she enthusiastically guided me to sharpen and strengthen the story.
It is safe to say that my talk would never have been the wonderful experience it was, without Ioana. Her way of challenging and inviting for reflection was a pleasure to work with, and helped bring out the best in me.”
I recommend working with Ioana to anyone preparing for an important talk or presentation – including experienced speakers!
Ioana was my speaker coach for the talk I did at TEDxKULeuvenBrussels in April 2023. She helped me turn a lecture into a TEDxTalk, and not by simply pointing out what my talk was lacking, but by guiding me so I could see it myself and internalise the process. It was a particularly busy period for me, and Ioana understood that and offered suggestions that helped save a lot of time. She also uses an AI coaching assistant, which allowed us some extra practice rounds and feedback on my delivery, based on video recordings, without having to arrange a meeting to practice.
When the day of the event came, Ioana flew to Brussels to be present during my talk and support me, which I really appreciated.
All in all, Ioana brought my story to life, and I warmly recommend having her as your public speaking coach!
Ioana helped me prepare for my TEDx talk through multiple coaching sessions. She was not only an amazing coach who lifted my speech to another level, she was also a great support and made me believe in myself and helped me think outside of the box. I recommend her to anyone who wants to boost their own performance. And to have fun in the process!
Working with Ioana has been an unforgettable experience.
She helped me find the words for my speech that conveyed the message that I wanted to share with the audience. She was encouraging, patient, and always had helpful tips to improve.
I’d highly recommend working with her!
Thank you for:
- Building my confidence
- Shaping my words to be stronger
- Showing me how to deliver my words, when to pause, volume up and down
- Being patient and soulful during the entire process
Ioana carried me through to my TEDx Talk effortlessly. She perfectly merged her caring nature with a structured and constructive drive. I never felt like I was off track, and the end result sounded more like me than anything I could have done myself. She’s professional to the bone.
Once I learned that I had the opportunity to do a TEDxTalk, it felt a bit overwhelming – how the **** will I make it good enough for the red dot?
My first draft was all over the place without any clear storyline, but Ioana quickly picked out the extra valuable pieces and helped me to put the puzzle together into a new and more structured draft. It started to get an overall structure, but we both felt that it was lacking a certain depth.
Ioana pushed me to dig deeper and challenged me in a way that was scary at first, but it resulted in a personal and beautiful talk – suited for the red dot. She was extremely supportive and gave me the courage to tell my real story! She was a challenger and supporter, and while she helped, she made sure that the talk was still my own words.
It would not have been the same talk without her!
Ioana is a motivating and very professional coach.
She was able to bring the best communication skills out of me and to add value to my presentation by respecting my style and ensuring that my messages were clear and well received.
The last few years, one of my big teachers has definitely been my speaker coach. Ioana, shoutout to you!
We got in touch in 2020, when I joined one of her public speaking courses, and the journey I’ve been on with her has been amazing. She has helped me so much to transform as a speaker.
When we were preparing for [my TEDxRWTHAachen] talk, every session was like a therapy session, because we had to just dig deeper into my story than I had ever done before. She listened to my talk a million times, was my rock when I got frustrated, and pushed me to do better.
Coaching with Ioana on moderating online discussions has been an enlightening journey with a trusted and sensitive guide.
Ioana’s holistic approach held a mirror up to my inner thought processes helping me overcome inhibitions and reconnect with my professional strengths and goals.
Thanks to this experience, together with the invaluable practical tips and tools tailored to my needs, I have been able to shine again professionally in this area.
Ioana has been an amazing speaking coach!
She helped me with my TEDx Talk and I was so happy to work with her! I have been working as a speaker for over 10 years, but she really taught me some amazing skills in how to make a performance even better and authentic. I will take with me everything she has taught me. I have really appreciated her encouragement and motivation during the TEDx journey.
She made it much more fun!
Ioana became my passionate and very dedicated co-innovator for perfecting my TEDxTalk. It was a rare and rewarding process to be in contact with Ioana 1-2 times per week for an extended period of time.
Ioana is a genius in supporting the person she works with and in uncovering the sharp and genuine message they want to share. In each session I felt re-motivated and understood. Ioana never tried to push my talk in any other direction that what truly was my intention.
Language-wise, Ioana was also of great assistance in seeking more precise phrases and expressions to make the talk as powerful as possible within the framework. I have worked with quite a number of editors. Only two have been a true source of betterment of my product. Ioana is the number 1 of those two. I have learned a lot from the prolonged commitment during the TEDxTalk process.
Ioana was compassionate without ever slacking commitment, month after month. She truly has been a professional gamechanger.
I can recommend Ioana to anyone who wishes to share their core message with a broader audience. Ioana will make sure you and your work will excel on stage!
PROGRAMS
Get individual, personalised coaching, consulting, and/or mentoring for yourself or a team member whose development you are supporting.
Development areas may include:
- Confidence & Leadership Presence
- Communicating for trust
- Managing stress & anxiety during presentations
- Developing an authentic and impactful delivery style
- How introverts can find Public Speaking Love
- Crafting an important pitch, keynote, presentation or TED-style talk
- Job interview preparation
- Podcasts & media preparation
Bring your team together around a specific development goal, or join one of our open group programs together with like-minded professionals from other industries. Both options can run in-person or online.
Topics may include:
- Leadership Presence
- Cultivating team trust to drive innovation and performance (can include team trust diagnostic using NeuroTeamView)
- How to pitch an idea in 3 minutes or less
- How to do presentations that keep people off their emails
- Finding your authentic voice as a keynote speaker or presenter
To strengthen your team or community, have the conversations that matter. A keynote speech or a panel talk can provide a safe framework to explore new perspectives, learn, or even challenge existing norms. Follow with a facilitated discussion, a workshop, a debate, or a classic Q&A.
Keynotes:
- Express Thyself. What does it really mean to be yourself as a professional, and communicate authentically?
- It’s not you, it’s your brain! 3 science-based steps to reframe public speaking, feel less stress and more joy while presenting.
- Poetry reading (from selected authors)
THANK YOU TO OUR PAST & PRESENT CLIENTS FROM:
