Dark-haired man in white shirt teaches a workshop

Learn to Love Public Speaking workshop, Amsterdam 2022 PHOTO: Robin Straaijer

About Ryan Millar

Creative Coaching, Training and Consulting

Ryan Millar is a Canadian-born Amsterdam-based coach, story trainer and communications consultant. In his work, he leans heavily on the tools he gained as an improviser and actor, supplemented by his years in corporate communications and content creation, to help people be more authentic and more effective in their professional and personal lives. His skills as a Public Speaking Coach have earned him a spot on the Coach Foundation, one of the biggest names in the coaching industry.

He recently created and hosts the Digital Communication Certificate Course for Growth Tribe. His most recent book, on the art of public speaking, is called “The Confident Presenter” and just came out (www.confidentpresenter.co). Ryan also enjoys freestyle rapping, skateboarding gently, and taking his kids for ice cream.

He’s designed interactive educational programs on storytelling, public speaking and leadership for a wide variety of clients, including ING, Google, Shell, Cofra, Apollo Tyres, Signify, Deutsche Bank, and many others. He also occasionally helps individuals and companies with their written communications.

Prior to focusing on his work as a speaker, author and coach, Ryan’s circuitous journey saw him work as an interpreter at the Vancouver Aquarium and the Vancouver Art Gallery, spending a year and a half as a tour guide in Rome (which inspired his first solo storytelling show Roman Around), as well as being a scare actor, a camp counselor and a touring improviser.

All about writing

Ryan’s written two books. His first, TAKE IT EASY, is a guide to the craft of improvisational theater, for Improvisers from around the globe. He successfully crowdfunded this project in 2017. His second book, The Confident Presenter, outlines his philosophy and a framework for anyone looking to become a better public speaker. It was published in 2023.

Highlight projects

Publishing The Confident Presenter, a handbook for improving public speaking skills, Spring 2023
Creating and hosting the Digital Communications Certificate Course with Growth Tribe, Spring 2023
Performing with Trent Pancy as Milly Can Rap, an improvised hip-hop freestyle comedy duo
Writing his first book TAKE IT EASY: And More Tips for the Dedicated Improviser
His first solo storytelling comedy show – Roman Around – had successful consecutive runs at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010 and 2011
Producing and directing The Two Gentlemen of Lebowski with Orange Tea Theatre, 2015
Doing a script-in-hand production of his solo theatre piece The Shipwreck of Oscar Mendler, a tragicomedy about hubris and sailing
Creating and performing solo storytelling comedy show Ever Better at Mezrab, October 2018
Winning an award for his first play The Power Force, 2010

Background

Born and raised in Canada, Ryan has lived in many different cities (Vancouver, Rome, Brussels, and London – with a brief stint in Hawaii along the way). He’s now settled in the Netherlands for the foreseeable future. He graduated from high school in a small town called Summerland BC (an actual place) and received a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

Along the way he also received an Acting Certificate from Gastown Actor’s Studio. It’s here where he first started improvising. In the nearly 20 years since he’s worked, taught and performed all around Europe and North America.

He holds an MA in Professional Writing from London Metropolitan University, a BA in Communications and a Certificate in Sustainable Community Development from Simon Fraser, a Certificate in The Future of Storytelling from University of Potsdam, and a Certificate in Acting for Stage and Screen from Gastown Actor’s Studio.

Sure, he’s busy, but not too busy to talk to you.

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“Ryan seemed to know just what to do to get the best from everyone. I would jump at the opportunity to do another workshop led by him.”

Calum, Brighton

“I really admire your energy, creativity and knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from your training sessions.”

Natasha, Amsterdam,

“Thank you for your positive spirit, energy and creativity. Your public speaking sessions really helped me feel more comfortable standing in front of a group of people.”

Serena, Amsterdam

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“Ryan’s coaching sessions really improved my public speaking skills and made my presentations much more interesting for my audience.”

Furio S., Berlin

“Ryan’s improv workshop is incredibly fun but also ruthlessly effective. Participants are taught to drop their inhibitions, let their imagination flow and and embrace the positive attitude at the heart of improv. They are also treated to Ryan’s personal blend of enthusiasm, wit and generosity.”

Jeremy, Brussels

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

“Very inspiring and useful workshop. Picked me up from where I’m at and helped me develop strategies to improve developing scenes and my performance skills.”

Anonymous, Switzerland

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“Ryan really made the most out of the workshop. No time-wasting. He gets to the point quickly, in a clear and effective way.”

Pedro, Lisbon

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

“Ryan is a natural at teaching and you get the feeling he puts his heart and soul into helping others. I look forward to doing more workshops with Ryan.”

Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“Ryan is a great teacher, very serious (and very funny!) gives great coaching during scenes! I had a great time studying with him!!”

Alon, Tel Aviv

“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“I’ve benefitted immensely from this journey which I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about themselves in a fun, immersive way.”

Simon, Amsterdam

“Because of you my fear of speaking or presenting in front of an audience has lessened a great deal.”

Samora, Amsterdam

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learned how beautiful authenticity is, with such little moments as sharing your breakfast. Being in the moment is so amazing to see and to feel.”

Laura, Amsterdam

About Ryan Millar

Creative Coaching, Training and Consulting

All about writing

Highlight projects

Background

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar