Why You Freeze Under Pressure and How to Take Control with Nausheen I. Chen

In Episode 329 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Nausheen I. Chen, 3x TEDx speaker and Fortune 500 communication coach, to unpack why so many capable leaders struggle when it’s time to speak. From the fight, flight, or freeze response to the pressure of being seen and judged, Nausheen explains what’s really happening in your brain when you feel nervous, lose your words, or freeze under pressure. This episode breaks down the psychology behind communication and why even highly successful professionals can sound flat, robotic, or disconnected when it matters most.

More importantly, Nausheen reveals the shift that changes everything. Public speaking isn’t about confidence, it’s about focus. When you stop trying to perform and start focusing on delivering value, the pressure disappears and your ability to connect skyrockets. If you want to communicate with more clarity, presence, and authority in meetings, presentations, or content, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to finally take control.

Connect with Nausheen I. Chen and learn more about her work:

Website: https://www.speaking.coach

Speak as a Leader Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QTpeh8l5ow8y72rtr8np2

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nausheenichen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nausheenichen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nausheen.speaking.coach/

Email: nausheen@speaking.coach

Key Takeaways:

1. You don’t freeze because you lack confidence, you freeze because your brain thinks you’re under threat.
2. Public speaking fear is a primal response, not a personal weakness, and it can be trained.
3. The biggest shift in communication is moving from performing to delivering value.
4. When you focus on the audience instead of yourself, pressure drops and clarity rises.
5. Confidence is not something you’re born with, it’s built through repetition, self-talk, and preparation.
6. Your voice, energy, and body language are the three levers that determine how your message lands.
7. Most people fail in communication because they focus too much on what to say and not how it’s delivered.
8. Memorizing scripts creates pressure and increases the chance of freezing, speaking naturally creates connection.
9. Exposure and repetition reduce fear, but only if you review and learn from each performance.
10. The goal isn’t to impress people, it’s to make their time feel valuable, and everything changes when you do.

Sponsor Shoutouts

This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, a leader in hydro excavation equipment helping contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently across North America.

Alongside Hypervac, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for durability, performance, and real-world industrial application.

🌐 https://www.hypervac.com

🌐 https://www.hyperfab.ca

This episode is also proudly supported by Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc., specializing in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration across Canada.

Alongside them, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers high-end lift solutions for luxury homes, condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with systems that are truly Bat Cave Ready.

🌐 https://www.thunderbayhydraulics.com

🌐 https://www.atlaselitelifts.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

Hyperfab Midroll