Shadowing Practice: I Became People Pleaser and Regretted Forever - Learn English Speaking with Video

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319 sentences

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Hi, I'm Sunny, and I have a curse to live with.

I'm too nice, and I can't say no. Whenever I try, I'm hit by a tsunami of guilt.

I feel nauseous, my butt starts sweating, and I have to fix the situation.

I just can't stand someone being displeased with me.

I know what you're thinking.

She's a people pleaser, a pushover.

And of course, you're right.

But it took me some time to realize that.

But before I continue, like and subscribe.

Sorry, it's not in order.

It's just a request, please.

I never disobeyed my mother.

I always shared my lunch at school.

I always gave up the swing at the park, and I could never turn down a poor person's request.

Like this one time in 10th grade, I was running back home after school when the homeless guy around the corner asked me for a favor.

Hey, Sonny, could you hold this shovel for a few minutes?

It's really heavy, and I need to run to the soup kitchen before it closes.

Sure, no problem.

I kept standing there for two hours, and he didn't return.

Finally, I left the shovel in the homeless guy's corner with an apology note.

But later that night, the police turned up at my door to arrest me.

Apparently, they'd found my fingerprints all over a murder weapon.

A frickin' shovel!

It took a while to get my name cleared.

Or this one time, I had to go to the bathroom in the mall

when I accidentally went into the disabled people's stall.

When I came out, I was met by a furious woman in a wheelchair.

I've been holding my pee for 10 minutes!

People like you are what's wrong with society.

What?

Oh no, this was a mistake.

I'm so sorry.

I followed her all over the mall begging for forgiveness till she called security and told them I was harassing her.

Well, naturally, I followed her home and started showing up at her door every day.

Her servants wouldn't let me in, so one day I broke into her house through a window.

Please, please just say you'll forgive me.

I can't live like this anymore.

She filed a restraining order that day.

I still pay for a plane to go over her house every week and skywrite my apology.

In addition to being nice, I'm also a teen model.

I know, I'm breaking stereotypes.

I've been on the cover of a dozen fashion magazines, and I've walked on many big runways.

My career was amazing.

Till my mom convinced me to fire my agent and hire her instead.

Trust me, honey, I'll make you a star.

Um, that's nice, mom, but you have no experience.

What does that matter?

I'm your mother, and no one will ever have your interest in heart like I do.

I was in labor with you for the worst 23 minutes of my life, remember?

Right, of course.

You can be my agent.

I already knew it was a horrible idea.

Mom hated people and rubbed everyone the wrong way.

She screamed at the photographers and made a makeup artist cry.

She even yelled at a famous designer

and started mopping the floor with his dress to show him what she really thought of it.

Soon, Mom started complaining about our small house in our dingy neighborhood and started making trouble with the loud, ugly neighbors.

Her words, not mine.

So, I bought a chic new apartment in a posh area.

But then, Mom started complaining about her privacy.

Sonny, you really are getting in the way.

My new boyfriend and I need our space.

But you're standing in my room.

Maybe you should move.

Yeah, I know.

It didn't make any sense.

I bought the place.

I was bringing in the money.

I shouldn't be the one to move out.

But as always, I gave in.

After buying the apartment, money was a bit tight.

Luckily, I found a room in a beautiful beach house that I had to share with three other models.

Sasha, Tracy, and Mika.

And I soon discovered that living with models, the drama was always out of control.

I mean, what would you expect from girls who eat a cube of cheese, one grape, and two almonds a day?

They're always hangry.

That's my seat, you stupid cow.

Is your name written on this seat?

OMG, are you wearing my shirt?

Is your name written on the shirt?

Show me where it is.

Can you idiots shut up?

If I don't get enough sleep, I'd look like a raccoon.

And then I'll bite like one, too.

I had to break up almost a dozen catfights.

One day, I cooked us all dinner so we could try to get to know each other.

Sasha dreamed of being a pop star.

Tracy loved to work out.

And Mika was insanely pretty and loved rubbing that in everyone's face.

I asked Sasha to sing us one of her songs.

And I never heard something so horrible in my life.

Of course, I still clapped for her, but Mika and Tracy fell off their seats laughing.

What's so funny?

You sound like a constipated pig.

I'd rather put my head up a cow's butt than listen to you.

Yeah, stick to modeling.

As long as you can.

I mean, you're already showing signs of aging.

Sasha got so mad that she threw her plate of pasta at Tracy.

100

Tracy ducked and the food landed on Mika's dress, and they started shouting and pulling at each other's hair.

101

I tried to break up the fight, but I slipped on some sauce and fell.

102

Then someone tossed a hair extension onto the stove, and the kitchen caught fire.

103

When the landlord found out, he was furious and banned us from the kitchen.

104

I put up an ad online for a chef, and a ridiculously good -looking candidate named Lance showed up the next day.

105

Uh, so Lance, you can cook, huh?

106

Yeah, that's why I applied for the job.

107

Lance, your cologne is to die for.

108

I'm not wearing any cologne.

109

Lance, did you just fix - are sank?

110

You're such a genius!

111

It wasn't broken, you just left the faucet on.

112

Your biceps look like boulders.

113

Can I touch them?

114

I'd prefer it if you didn't.

115

Lance was an amazing chef, a handyman, and even a gardener.

116

One day, all of us were drooling at his abs as he pulled out weeds, when suddenly some crazy paparazzi climbed over our garden wall.

117

Lance ran towards them like Tom Cruise, broke their cameras, kicked their butts, and sent them running.

118

Oh my god.

119

I can't take it anymore.

120

I have to ask him out.

121

No, he's mine.

122

What?

123

I saw him first.

124

I don't think he's interested in dating any of us.

125

Shut up.

126

Who asked you?

127

The girls cornered Lance in the hallway to get his attention.

128

Sasha sang Lance an awful love song.

129

Tracy did a cheerleading routine.

130

Then Mika walked up in a bathing suit.

131

Hey Lance, you want to go for a swim?

132

Uh, no thanks.

133

I gotta get back to work.

134

But the girls' constant flirting and fawning over Lance got

135

so out of hand that he couldn't do his job properly since he was always trying to hide from them.

136

One of the toilets got clogged, the shower stopped working, and the front yard was starting to look like a jungle.

137

I can't live like this!

138

How are we supposed to share one bathroom?

139

I haven't taken a shower in two days!

140

I proposed a solution.

141

Okay then, from here on out, Lance is off limits.

142

No one is dating Lance.

143

They reluctantly agreed and we made a pact.

144

We all left Lance alone and soon the house started getting back to normal.

145

A couple of months later, I threw a party and invited a bunch of rich models.

146

Sasha, Tracy, and Mika seemed to forget about their crush on Lance in about two minutes.

147

Just then, the doorbell rang and Mom walked in.

148

Hey, honey, did you miss me?

149

Clearly not, or you would have sent me a proper invite.

150

Mom, actually, I...

151

Yes, you're right.

152

I'm sorry, but I'm glad you're here now.

153

Just for ten minutes.

154

I don't want to overstay where I'm not wanted.

155

I just need to borrow a couple of dresses from you and about, oh, $20 ,000.

156

But I let you borrow $10 ,000 last week.

157

Don't be cheap, honey.

158

It's unattractive.

159

Don't you want mommy to buy something nice for her birthday?

160

Your birthday isn't for another 11 months.

161

But mom was being pushy, and I knew she'd make a scene.

162

So I gave her my credit card and told her to return it in two weeks.

163

Just then, I noticed Lance shaking his head at me, and then he walked away.

164

After the party?

165

The house was a mess, so I asked the girls to help me clean up.

166

Sorry, I have plans with my new boyfriend.

167

I'm allergic to dirt.

168

I twisted my ankle.

169

I'm gonna rest.

170

Okay, no problem.

171

Sleep tight.

172

I was up well into the night still cleaning when Lance joined me and started to help.

173

Why are you still here?

174

You don't need to do this.

175

I stayed back in case you girls needed me.

176

I don't mind.

177

As we were cleaning, I kept catching him looking at me strangely.

178

Okay, I can't take it any longer.

179

Why are you staring at me like I have two heads?

180

You're not like the others.

181

You're a misfit.

182

Well, that's rude.

183

No, it's a good thing.

184

You're beautiful, but not self -absorbed.

185

You're smart, and you seem like a really kind person.

186

You think I'm beautiful?

187

That's all you got from what I said?

188

Lance gave me that strange look and went back to work.

189

You're doing that thing with your face again.

190

Did I do something to make you mad?

191

Are you disappointed?

192

Why do you care what I think?

193

I don't know why.

194

I just do.

195

It's how I'm built.

196

Want some advice?

197

Just stop caring what others think and stop letting people push you around and use you.

198

You deserve better.

199

Excuse me?

200

I am not so naive that - Really?

201

Then how come you're the only one who's cleaning up after the party?

202

And has your mom ever returned the money she keeps borrowing?

203

That's none of your business.

204

Okay, that was kind of rude.

205

I'm sorry.

206

Why are you always sorry?

207

Also, would you like to go out with me sometime?

208

What?

209

After you just insulted me?

210

No. I mean, I'm sorry to crush your feelings, and it feels nice to be asked out by someone like you, but no!

211

Sorry!

212

I spent the rest of the night replaying my conversation with Lance, feeling angry.

213

But as I cooled off, I couldn't help thinking that maybe he was right.

214

I did a lot for Mom and the girls, and I couldn't remember the last time they did anything nice for me.

215

The next day, I was watching my favorite MSA videos on the TV, when the girls walked in, and Tracy just snatched the remote from me and changed the channel.

216

I want to watch a movie.

217

Sunny, please sit on the other sofa.

218

No, Sunny, don't sit anywhere.

219

You've got to drive me to the nail salon.

220

Sunny, all my clothes are wrinkled.

221

Iron them when you're back.

222

Lance was right.

223

I was a pushover, and I didn't like it.

224

No!

225

What do you mean no?

226

I won't take you to the beauty salon.

227

I won't iron your clothes.

228

And I was watching TV.

229

All you do is use me, and you don't respect me.

230

And that's not cool.

231

Oh, also, I'm going to go out with Lance, and you all have boyfriends, so I don't care if you're mad.

232

I am breaking the pact.

233

They were shocked, and so was I.

234

I'd never yelled at anyone in my life, and it felt good.

235

Later that day, the girls apologized for treating me badly and promised not to take advantage of me anymore.

236

They even gave me their blessing to date Lance, and of course, I forgave them.

237

Lance and I started dating soon, and we had such a good time together.

238

He helped me stand up for myself more often and gain confidence.

239

I even booked some modeling gigs without involving Mom, and I was doing great!

240

One evening, Mom invited me to dinner at a fancy restaurant, and I decided to introduce Lance to her there.

241

Break up with him, honey.

242

That boy's a waste of time.

243

I'm sitting right here.

244

Mom, Lance is a nice guy, and he makes me happy.

245

He's a loser.

246

By the way, Lance, are you going to finish that cheesecake?

247

Before I forget, Sonny, I need to borrow your credit card again to book a flight to Hawaii.

248

So just give it to me after you've paid for this meal, okay?

249

I felt a wave of rage sweep through me.

250

No!

251

What's that sound you just made?

252

I've never heard it from your mouth before.

253

Hear it now, loud and clear.

254

No, no, no, no, and sayonara.

255

Oh, one last thing, you're fired.

256

I snapped my credit card in half, grabbed Lance's hand, and stormed out of there.

257

I'm sorry about my mom.

258

She shouldn't have treated you that way.

259

Don't worry about it.

260

I'm so proud of you for standing up to her.

261

Lance was such a supportive boyfriend, but mom got more conniving by the minute.

262

She started sending me dozens of texts begging me for money and it got harder to ignore her each day.

263

One night, Lance caught me sneaking out of the house.

264

Where are you going?

265

Uh, for a jog at midnight?

266

Fine, I admit it.

267

I can't help myself.

268

It's a curse.

269

I know my mom's using me, but I can't sleep at night since I refused her money.

270

There's no hope for me.

271

I'm doomed.

272

Leave now and save yourself.

273

I started crying like a baby and Lance pulled me into a hug.

274

Maybe you should try giving money to a good cause, Sonny, to people who really need your help.

275

I thought that was a great idea.

276

The next day, Lance introduced me to his cousin Nancy, who owned a non -profit to feed hungry kids.

277

I was so excited to help that I wrote Nancy a big fat check.

278

Sonny, that's a lot of money.

279

Maybe you should think about this.

280

No, I insist.

281

A couple of weeks later, I donated double the amount, and the month after, I dribbled it.

282

It felt amazing.

283

But one morning, Lance didn't show up to work and didn't answer any of my calls either.

284

When two days passed by, I started getting really worried and filed a missing person report.

285

I even called up Nancy, but her phone was off too.

286

And then I found pictures of Lance and Nancy on social media living their best life on some beach.

287

Lance wasn't even his real name.

288

Their whole charity was a big scam.

289

And duh, Nancy wasn't his cousin.

290

I was so devastated I couldn't get out of bed, take a shower, or comb my hair for days.

291

What is up with you, girl?

292

You smell like a gym sock soaked in spoiled milk.

293

Is there something living in your hair?

294

I burst into tears and told them everything.

295

I knew Lance was trouble with his perfect eyes and hair.

296

He was way too good to be true.

297

Of course he was evil.

298

We'll make him pay.

299

First, we went to the police, who put out a warrant for the pair's arrest.

300

But they were smart and couldn't easily be found.

301

Next, the girls and I went online and told our followers about Nancy

302

and Lance's scam and asked for help to find them.

303

Within minutes, we got a dozen leads.

304

Nancy and Lance were arrested at an airport trying to leave the country.

305

Sasha threw a party at the house to celebrate, but for some reason, I still wasn't happy.

306

I took a walk to get some air, and I saw these kids waiting in line outside a soup kitchen.

307

Suddenly, it turned on a light bulb in my head.

308

Before I knew it was a fraud, it had made me really happy thinking my money was going to needy kids.

309

I could start my own charity.

310

Being nice didn't have to be my weakness.

311

It could be my superpower.

312

And now, five years later, I'm running soup kitchens all over the country.

313

My model friends volunteer sometimes, too.

314

How about I perform for these kids after they've all eaten?

315

No. You two are just jealous.

316

You like my music, right, Sunny?

317

Sasha, I love you.

318

But I really, really, really hate your music.

319

Sorry, I'm not that nice anymore.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This video has 319 sentences and 2841 words to shadow. The speech runs for 13:50. The speaker talks fast, about 205 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 78% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
honey noun	/ˈhʌni/	A sweet, viscous, gold-colored fluid produced from plant nectar by bees, and often consumed by humans.
butt noun	/bʌt/	Body; self.
soup noun	/sup/	Any of various dishes commonly made by combining liquids, such as water or stock, with other ingredients, such as meat and vegetables, that contribute the food…
borrow verb	/ˈbɑɹ.oʊ/	To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it.
charity noun	/ˈtʃæɹɪti/	An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable purpose.
horrible adjective	/ˈhɔɹ.ɪ.bəl/	Causing horror; terrible; shocking.
cousin noun	/ˈkʌz(ə)n/	Chiefly with a qualifying word: Any relation (especially a distant one) who is not a direct ancestor or descendant but part of a person's extended family; a…
mall noun	/mɔːl/	A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct.
forgive verb	/fɚˈɡɪv/	To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against.
rude adjective	/ɹuːd/	Lacking in refinement or civility; bad-mannered; discourteous.
chef noun	/ʃɛf/	The presiding cook in the kitchen of a large household.
complain verb	/kəmˈpleɪn/	To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
crush verb	/kɹʌʃ/	To press between two hard objects; to squeeze so as to alter the natural shape or integrity, or to force together into a mass.
curse noun	/kɝs/	A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
apology noun	/əˈpɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/	An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
break up verb		To break or separate into pieces.
clean up verb		To make an area or a thing clean; to pick up a mess; to tidy.
get back to verb		Return to (an activity)
shut up	/ʃʌt ʌp/	Stop talking (usually in the form of making annoying, irrelevant, or false comments, during a period of peace and quiet, or when one is not allowed to talk)…
ask out verb		To invite somebody, especially on a date.
call up verb		To retrieve from personal or computer memory.
come out verb	/ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/	To be discovered; to be revealed.
cool off verb		To decrease in temperature, activity, or temper.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	being displeased · was met · wasn't broken
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	I've been · haven't taken · you've paid
Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past	was running · was harassing · was bringing
Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form	starts sweating · kept standing · started showing

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 103 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: chef /ʃɛf/, crush /kɹʌʃ/, extension /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/, shock /ʃɔk/, shake /ˈʃeɪk/
Long words — get the stress right: apology /əˈpɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, disappointed /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd/, photographer /fəˈtɑ.ɡɹə.fɚ/, accidentally /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like honey, butt, soup.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

Shadowing Practice: I Became People Pleaser and Regretted Forever - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Snow White Loved My Rich Fake Mom & Hated My Poor Real Mom | Stories for Teen @OnceUponAClueFRT