Name: Esther Stark - Author and Speaker
Address: Yuma

Esther's Story

Esther's story is one of perseverance and growth. After the death of her husband, she was forced to face the world she feared: a world that meant taking risks of failure, rejection, and disappointments. With discipline and determination, she moved out of the shadows of her chronic shy mentality, and into the spotlight of a successful artist, singer, author and speaker.

Being in her mid-forties when she took her first brave step, Esther declares, "It's Never Too Late to believe in yourself, set new goals, dream big dreams, or put a toe outside that comfort zone."

She learned a new approach to her FEAR. She began to

Face Everything And Rise.

Live life with purpose and joy. Take one step at a time.

"Be Strong. Be Courageous. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you WHEREVER you go."

Joshua 1:9

Esther Speaking

It's Never Too Late

It’s never too late to step out of your comfort zone, past the fears that hold you back, and start living the life you secretly dreamed about.

God's Plan

God had a plan for me. He has a plan for you. Are you listening to His call? When God gets your attention, you better pay attention. He usually has something BIG in store for you.

Live Happy, Healthy, and Inspired Podcast

Brad Carlson, CEO of MindstrongFit, LLC, author of Take Back your Life, and podcaster at Live Happy, Healthy, and Inspired, interviews Esther about her book, YOU Were Shy? from the Shadows to the Spotlight. Esther says, "One step to overcoming challenges is

F-E-A-R,

Face Everything And Rise."

When Esther mentions her past years of shyness, she always gets a resounding response, YOU were shy?

Speaker Performance Reviews

Pay Attention

Truly Moved Me

I absolutely loved the quote:

When Jesus gets your attention, Pay Attention! - Deborah

Truly Moved Me

Esther's message truly moved me. She shared her story of overcoming fear and the loss of her husband with such honesty and strength. Her words about comfort zones and God's protection were inspiring and deeply comforting. I was completely captivated the entire time. So good. So powerful. So needed.

Shauna Coleman Parker

Overcome Obstacles

Esther brilliantly shares the mindset shifts we need to make in order to move beyond our fear and self-doubt; the surprising benefits of embracing discomfort, and saying 'yes' to new opportunities. - Brad

Inspiring

Overcome Obstacles

I love how Esther shared her story. The rawness of it made me cry and laugh as I reflected on my own life. So many will benefit from her message, as we often hide our pain, our fears, and challenges from those around us. Esther's message inspires us to make a change and step out in faith to overcome our fears. - Maureen

Book Reviews for "YOU Were Shy?"

Best Book I've Read in a Long Time

The night this book arrived, I came home exhausted. The book was laying on the coffee table beside me, so I decided to pick it up and read a few pages before going to bed. I finally set the book down and went to bed when I got to page 176... and I was anxious to continue reading the next day. - Ron A.

A Story that will Touch Your Heart

Best Book I've Read in a Long Time

This is a story of the life of someone who was stronger than they thought. I was very impressed with the writing style and her vulnerability. It takes a lot of courage to bare your soul in a book that is meant to help others realize they are not alone in their struggles. - Sharon S.

Exceptional Courage

Best Book I've Read in a Long Time

Beautifully Written and Addictive

I love this book. It kept me on track while reading. I wanted to see the next steps in her journey. Esther's writings and honesty really came through this book. One of the main things I can see in her story is, it gives others a vision of what you can really do in your life to overcome shyness and fears, and achieve strength. Barbara B.

Beautifully Written and Addictive

A True Story of Courage, Resiliency, and Love!

Beautifully Written and Addictive

Sometimes I'm a guilty word skipper and my eyes try to jump ahead a few paragraphs to see what the next thing is that happens but not with this book. I wanted to let the words sink in. I related to several experiences mentioned and the emotions that went along with them. This book will evoke a wide range of emotions, and will inspire you to follow her steps. - Michelle

A True Story of Courage, Resiliency, and Love!

Incredible! Inspirational! Magnificent! Heart warming with a dash of sadness and two scoops of love all rolled up in one! YOU Were Shy? is a must read of true and heartfelt joy, strength, courage, and resilience. One woman's journey through the ebbs and flows of life showing that with one step at a time, anything, and I do mean anything, is possible. An absolute must read! - Brad

Everyone Should Read This Book

A True Story of Courage, Resiliency, and Love!

This book immediately throws you into a highly relatable sequence of strong emotions via an unusual, though not necessarily uncommon, experience. Each chapter contains a new lesson, punctuated by an affirmation Esther has nurtured as a result of her experiences. Anyone could have taken another, darker route, but not Esther. She blossomed into a beautiful vessel, overflowing with courage, grace, and love. This book is incredibly inspiring.

K. Marie

Esther's Bio

Esther was born in Grants Pass, Oregon where she grew up a country girl. She had four sons with her husband, John Stark. She was widowed in 1992.

She has a colorful but impressive resume that includes restaurant owner and operator, accounts receivable clerk for a national grocery warehouse, an executive secretary for an engineering firm, then spent the last 26 years of her career as a legal assistant for a law firm.

Esther has dedicated many hours to giving back to her communities through volunteer work:

Secretary for HASL (Handicap Awareness & Support League)

Toastmasters - Public Relations Officer

Mission trip to Uganda, Africa - orphanage team

Entertainer/singer @ veteran homes and assisted living facilities

Founder of Songs of Faith & Hope concert & bake sale to benefit foster care programs.

Music director for Country Roads Church for 2 seasons.

She is the proud mother of four sons, grandmother to 17 grandchildren (biological, adopted & foster children), and great-grandmother to one.

She and her husband, Sean Griffin, were married in 2015 and reside in warm Yuma, Arizona where they started a family-oriented karaoke business.

Esther likes all things water: rafting, kayaking, boating, ocean beaches, river banks and lakes. She plays senior volleyball on the courts in her local community, plays pickleball, loves working puzzles, painting, teaching paint & sip classes, singing, writing and speaking. You will often find her on the karaoke stage belting out a song... or on the platform giving her testimony.

Esther knows what it's like to hide in the shadows of fear because of a shy personality. Her desire is to encourage others to step beyond any fears that keep them from enjoying a fulfilling life. It's Never Too Late... to take that first step of faith.