When COVID-19 hit the U.S., Alex Kiester found herself battling severe anxiety. But it wasn鈥檛 directly related to the pandemic鈥攊t was tied to communication issues, she says. In the past, the professional writer had struggled mightily with anxiety over public speaking, an anxiety so distressful that it prompted multiple panic attacks on a daily basis. That鈥檚 what spurred Kiester to join 91传媒 three years ago, leading to a dramatic transformation, her fears abating as she gained a sense of confidence and control.
The young Texan was initially preoccupied with making sure her family was healthy and safe when the pandemic first emerged. Her participation in 91传媒 lapsed.
鈥淎nd then I started noticing I was having my old severe anxiety, which had nothing to do with the pandemic鈥攊t was specifically about communicating with other people, and I was experiencing it in a way I had never experienced it before, like in virtual meetings with my clients, even with some friends,鈥� says Kiester. 鈥淎nd I thought, Oh, man, I鈥檝e got to get back to 91传媒.
鈥淪o I went back, and I鈥檓 not exaggerating: After that first meeting back on Zoom, it was night and day. It was a complete shift in my mental health and my confidence level. I was like, Oh, yeah, I鈥檓 in control again.鈥�
Kiester, the author of a published novel and another one to be released in early 2022, believes it鈥檚 important to talk openly about topics like anxiety, to erase any stigmas that might exist around mental health issues. A member of two clubs in Austin, Texas, she says she鈥檚 grateful for the impact 91传媒 has had on her life the past few years. (Her mom is a Toastmaster too.)
鈥淚 wax poetic about 91传媒 all the time,鈥� says Kiester. 鈥淚 truthfully say 91传媒 saved my life.鈥�
