From Lost To The River

In this short clip from 'The Psychology Behind Real English Confidence', language coach Daniele Ponzo shares the honest truth about perfectionism, fear of mistakes, and the pressure to “sound right.” You’ll hear how one simple mindset shift, from perfection to presence, helped him move past fear and speak naturally in meetings, interviews, and everyday life.

Learn more about Daniele and his coaching services on his website at  dani...

If you’re a driven Spanish professional who freezes in English or fears being judged, this episode is for you. Daniele Ponzo, former IT manager turned language coach and author, explains how to swap perfectionism for presence so you can speak naturally, be heard in meetings, and lead with confidence.

Daniele and I explore the emotional side of language: why imposter syndrome, school-system conditioning and ego make otherwise capabl...

Ever freeze mid-sentence in English, fearing judgment or looking “not good enough”? You’re not alone. Many ambitious Spanish professionals feel the pressure to be perfect, but perfection isn’t the point. Imagine speaking naturally, confidently, and clearly in meetings, presentations, or real conversations without fear holding you back.

In today's episode, language coach Bianca González and I explore how confidence, mindset, and emo...

I used to stress over every word, afraid my Spanish wasn’t “good enough.” In this episode, I chat with language coach Bianca González about how to reframe that fear. We explore how embracing what you can already do, and using English as a tool to communicate rather than prove yourself, transforms confidence and flow in real conversations.

We dive into why perfectionism can hold you back and why your mindset often matters more than ...

Hoy, me acompaña Nacho Fernández, coach de español. Hablamos sobre bloqueos mentales como el miedo y el perfeccionismo, y exploramos cómo el coaching, la escucha pasiva y hablar desde el primer día pueden ayudarte a ganar verdadera confianza, rápidamente. I speak Spanish on this one too!

If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.

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I’ll never forget the day the Amazon delivery guy asked, “¿Quieres ver mi carne?” 😮 Fresh in Spain and still learning Spanish, I thought he wanted to see… my meat!

What followed was a hilarious mix-up that taught me a big lesson: mistakes aren’t just inevitable, they’re essential for growth.

In this episode, I share how embracing language mistakes (and even awkward, funny ones) can help you break free from perfectionism. When you ...

Here is a funny story from my early days in Spain when my basic Spanish skills led to a hilarious mix-up at the butcher's! It’s a lighthearted reminder that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and often leads to the best memories.

Watch it with subtitles here on YouTube

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: I share how everyday language mishaps (like mispronouncing the word for chicken) can teach you more than any textbook e...

Today I'm chatting with English Teacher, Alba Guerrero González about why fluency beats perfection when speaking English. We discuss Spanish learners' biggest struggles, overcoming fear, and why mistakes are your best teachers. Follow Alba on Instagram & Tik Tok and watch her super cool English learning tips & tricks. Mil gracias por tu tiempo Alba!

Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips. 

Watch 'From Lost To The R...

In this deeply personal ‘off-camera’ conversation with Sarah Smit, I share how the pandemic forced me to rethink my path. How my frustrations with Spain brought out a darker, more negative side of my personality. And how transforming this negativity has shaped me, allowing me to ultimately find my purpose: helping others break free from their fears of communicating in English. From stand-up comedy to language coaching, this is a st...

Here’s an extract from my conversation with Sarah Smit, a polyglot and language expert who knows firsthand what it takes to go from zero to fluent, because she did just that while living in the Netherlands for over a decade. We discuss the mindset shifts that truly build confidence in a second language and how my empathy for my clients’ experiences forms the foundation of my coaching. Follow me on LinkedIn for insights!

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Today, I’m speaking with my client, Miguel Ángel Carrasco Delgado, COO of PRG (Toys R Us & Prenatal), who has nearly 40 years of experience working with top brands like Sephora. He shares how he overcame the fear of making mistakes and built confidence in using English for business. We explore the key mindset shifts that boosted his confidence, along with practical tips for Spanish professionals looking to speak English more co...

Struggling with your accent? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down why perfection is overrated and how real communication is the main objective. Hear insights from Alberto Rodríguez on the Spanish-English pronunciation clash and why confidence matters more than flawless speech. Follow me on Linkedin for more English confidence tips!

Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 

If you're ready for perso...

In this episode, I talk about how perfectionism can stop us from improving in a new language. I’ll share my personal journey of accepting my accent and occasional mistakes in Spanish, and how this mindset shift can help you embrace your unique voice in English.

When you accept your English as it is today, you’ll feel more confident, speak up more, and improve faster. Even us native speakers don’t speak perfect (by the book) English...

Aqui tienes un extracto del capítulo 3. Here I explore how our fear of making mistakes and worrying about others’ reactions can create false beliefs about our abilities.

It’s so common for us to assume that others won’t understand us (before we even try), or that our language skills aren’t "good enough" - but this is just F.E.A.R.: False Evidence Appearing Real.

There are many factors involved in communication, many of which are ou...

En este extracto del primer capítulo, abordo la lucha de sentir que "no eres lo suficientemente bueno" ("not good enough") al hablar inglés y por qué es hora de cambiar esa mentalidad. A continuación, algunos puntos claves que aprenderás:

• Tu nivel de inglés es mejor de lo que piensas.
• La comunicación es más importante que la perfección.
• El i...

Listen to why others’ reactions affect our confidence when speaking English and how many communication factors are beyond our control. Learn why mutual effort matters, why fears about mistakes are often false, and how to reset your perspective. Plus, language expert Lauren Martin shares insights on smoother communication. Enjoy practical tips and my F.E.A.R. acronym for anxiety.

Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on...

In this episode of From Lost to the River, I talk about why perfectionism can block your progress and how embracing your accent and your mistakes can actually help you connect with confidence. You'll hear a Spanish speaker’s perspective on letting go of shame when speaking English. Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips. 

Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 

If you're ready for personalised suppo...

Welcome to the first episode of From Lost To The River. I'm Richard, and after 14 years of learning Spanish, I understand how frustrating it can feel to speak a second language. I’ve been there, staying quiet out of fear of making mistakes. In this episode, I’ll share how letting go of perfectionism helped me become myself in Spanish and how you can do the same in English. 

Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouT...