???? Monday Night Live with Derek Arden – Special Guest: Tracy Hooper! ????

Welcome to Monday Night Live! I’m Derek Arden, and tonight we had the absolute pleasure of hosting the wonderful Tracy Hooper – best-selling author of The Now Hello and founder of The Confidence Project. Tracy joined us live from Portland, Oregon, sharing travel tales, life lessons, and confidence-boosting tips – all sprinkled with fun, laughter, and inspiration.

✈️ From Portland to the Thames – A Journey Full of Surprises

Tracy began by sharing the excitement of traveling from the U.S. to London with her husband Henry and daughter Margaret. After a delayed flight, she arrived determined to make a great first impression – wrinkle-free outfit, bright lipstick, big smile… because, as Tracy says:

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression!”

Our in-person meet-up? A memorable boat ride on the River Thames, stories over pints in a centuries-old pub, and sightseeing across historic London.

???? Tower Bridge, History, and Hilarious Mix-Ups

We laughed about the Americans who thought they bought Tower Bridge but ended up with London Bridge – which now sits in Arizona! Being in person meant spontaneous stories, real laughter, and unforgettable moments.

???? The Confidence Project – Lessons for Life and Work

Tracy explained how confidence is a skill anyone can learn – whether at work, traveling, or simply chatting with strangers. Some of her key lessons:

• ????‍♀️ Low-Level Labs: Practice conversations in safe, everyday settings – like with cabbies or in queues.
• ???? Use magic words to keep conversations flowing: What? How? Tell me more…
• ✨ Drop weak phrases like I just… or Sorry, but… and speak with purpose.

???? Hats, History, and Hyde Park Adventures

From Hyde Park hat shopping ????️ to visiting the Victory Services Club – founded in 1918 for returning soldiers – Tracy shared how travel connects people across generations, especially when sprinkled with courtesy and kindness.

????️ Arsenal Football and Serendipitous Moments

One highlight? Margaret scoring a last-minute ticket to an Arsenal game thanks to a chance conversation on the boat ride. That’s the magic of meeting people in real life – opportunities appear when you least expect them! ⚽

???? Courtesy Is Contagious – Lessons from London Transport

On the Tube, signs read “Someone may need this seat more.” And Londoners lived up to it – offering seats with kindness. Tracy reminded us:

“Confidence is contagious… but so is courtesy.”

???? Castles, Culture, and the Titanic in Ireland

Tracy’s travels continued to Ireland – weddings in castles ????, the moving Titanic Museum in Belfast, and even tiny Rathlin Island with just 110 residents! Each stop offered history, heart, and humor.

???? Kew Gardens and Science for the Future

At Kew Gardens, it wasn’t just about beautiful plants – but also groundbreaking research on climate change and medicine. Travel isn’t only about seeing the past; it’s about learning the future. ????

????️ Words to Lose, Words to Use

Tracy shared her famous “Words to Lose” tips – swapping weak, filler words for strong, confident language. And yes, we Brits say “sorry” far too much! ????

???? Final Takeaway: Gather in Person!

Tracy’s #1 tip for 2026 and beyond?

“Meet people in person whenever you can. Have coffee. Share stories. Connect.”

Because real conversations create real memories.

???? A Huge Thank You to Tracy Hooper!

From confidence tips to travel tales, this episode had it all – history, humor, and heart. Thank you, Tracy, for reminding us of the power of connection, kindness, and confidence. ????AS COME TO LIFE
Hosted by Derek Arden | Negotiation Expert | Speaker | Connector

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