According to some studies, fear of public speaking surpasses fear of death in popularity polls. The good news: with the right tools, this fear transforms into fuel for a memorable speaking presence.
Why are people afraid of public speaking?
What you can do on your own
- Rehearse out loud, standing up, not just in your head. A brain that has already heard the sentences come out of your mouth retrieves them far better under pressure; three full run-throughs change a presentation.
- Learn your first thirty seconds by heart. That's the peak of the nerves: an automatic opening carries you through the peak without requiring thought, and the rest rides the momentum.
- Multiply the small occasions: a question in a meeting, a round-table comment, a toast. Tolerance to a group's gaze is built in small repeated doses, not in the annual high-stakes event.
- Aim for usable nerves, not zero nerves. Trying to eliminate them entirely adds a second fear, the fear of being afraid. A pounding heart before speaking is a body that's ready, not a body that's failing.
What coaching can bring
Master your breathing
Slow diaphragmatic breathing (inhale 4s, hold 4s, exhale 6s) activates the parasympathetic system and brings the stress response down, before and during a talk.
Reframe the nerves
Stage fright and excitement produce the same sensations in the body. Reframing the nerves as "action energy" rather than "danger" changes how you perceive the situation, and often the experience itself.
What hypnotherapy can bring
Mentally rehearse success
Reliving a successful talk in detail, with the positive emotions attached, prepares the brain to reproduce that experience in reality.
Anchor a state of confidence
With hypnosis and NLP anchors, we tie a gesture or a word to a state of calm and confidence, triggerable at will as you step up to speak.
What this support is not
My coaching and hypnotherapy support does not substitute for any medical or psychological care. It is complementary. I do not diagnose and I do not replace a doctor, a psychologist or a psychotherapist.
If you are going through significant psychological distress, such as depression or suicidal thoughts, I will direct you to the appropriate resources.
Frequently asked questions
Yes: the vast majority of experienced speakers get stage fright. The difference: they use it as fuel. Total stage fright rarely disappears; the goal is to manage and transform it.
For moderate fear, 4 to 6 coaching or hypnotherapy sessions are often sufficient for a clear improvement. For a deeper phobia, a more complete journey is recommended.
Absolutely. Introversion is not an obstacle to public speaking: many great speakers are introverts. Introversion is an energy style, not a lack of competence. Preparation strategies are often more natural for introverts.
Emergency techniques: breathe deeply, take a deliberate pause, glance at your notes, or reframe your last idea with "what I want to highlight is...". In coaching, we prepare Plan Bs and build mental immunity against catastrophizing memory blanks.
Written by David Veilleux, PCC certified coach and certified hypnotherapist in Quebec. Last updated July 16, 2026.
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