From Fear to Fearless: How to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety & Speak with Confidence
The Moment I Let Fear Control Me
I have always been a speaker—whether it was performing spoken word, acting, or leading conversations. But as I got older, something shifted. I started becoming afraid of what other people would think. The fear crept in quietly at first, but soon, it took hold.
One of the most defining moments in my journey happened when I was newly appointed as National Director of Marketing for a nationwide public health organization. I was called to advise in a high-level meeting with the CEO of our organization, the CEO of a partner organization, and their entire executive team. The topic? Race and public health—something deeply personal to me.
I sat there, listening as the conversation unfolded, realizing how detached it was from the realities of the communities we were serving. I had insights that could shift the conversation, but my mind was drowning in self-doubt:
Will they value what I have to say?
What if they reject my perspective?
What if I can’t articulate myself clearly?
I was the only person of color in the room, and that made me hesitate even more. But then, something clicked:
👉 I wasn’t in the room for myself—I was there to serve.
If I stayed silent, I wouldn’t just be letting myself down—I’d be failing the people I was there to represent. So, I spoke up. And in that moment, I realized that confidence isn’t about not having fear—it’s about choosing to speak despite it.
Why Public Speaking Anxiety Feels So Overwhelming
If you’ve ever felt your heart race, your hands sweat, or your mind go blank before speaking, you’re not alone. Public speaking anxiety is common, but what causes it?
At its core, it comes down to three major fears:
✅ Fear of Judgment – “What if I sound stupid?”
✅ Fear of Rejection – “What if no one listens?”
✅ Fear of Failure – “What if I mess up?”
These fears trigger an endless loop of what-if scenarios that paralyze us. But here’s something people don’t always talk about:
💜 Most people struggle with speaking because they care deeply.
💜 They care about their audience. They care about getting it right.
💜 And because they care, they put immense pressure on themselves to be perfect.
The truth?
You don’t have to be perfect to be impactful.
The Shift from Fear to Fearless
The biggest mindset shift that helped me was learning to speak to an audience of ONE.
I used to imagine standing in front of a sea of people, trying to impact them all. That was overwhelming. But when I started focusing on just one person—one individual who needed to hear what I had to say—everything changed.
💡 When you make your message about impact rather than perfection, confidence follows.
Another lesson? Owning my unique speaking style.
Early on, I wanted to sound like the greats—Tony Robbins, Lisa Nichols, Eric Thomas. But then I realized:
👉 They’re successful because they own their unique style.
👉 The same way they lean into their voice, I needed to lean into mine.
The moment I stopped trying to sound like someone else and embraced my natural voice, my confidence grew exponentially.
Practical Steps to Speak with Confidence
If you’re ready to start speaking with confidence, here are three actionable techniques you can use immediately:
🔥 1. Master Your Inner Voice
Replace “What if I fail?” with “What if I make an impact?”
Instead of “I don’t belong here,” say “I was called for this moment.”
Remind yourself: “I have something valuable to say, and people want to hear it.”
🔥 2. Shift Your Focus to Serving
If nerves hit, ask yourself: “Who am I here to serve?”
Overwhelm happens when we focus too much on ourselves—redirecting your energy toward your audience’s needs removes that pressure.
🔥 3. Prepare Like a Pro
Confidence isn’t about memorization—it’s about embodying your message.
The only way to feel like your message is a natural extension of you is to practice, refine, and own it before you step on stage.
💡 Small shifts like these have transformed the way I approach speaking—and they can do the same for you.
Final Thoughts: The First Step to Fearless Speaking
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds great, but I still don’t think I can be a confident speaker…” I want to tell you:
👉 You’re already on the right track—the fact that you’re here means you’re ready to grow.
👉 You don’t have to figure it out alone. Sometimes, we need someone to show us our own magic.
