Tracy Hooper – best-selling author of The Now Hello and founder of The Confidence Project.
Description
🌟 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
United States
