370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

I’ve been there: Standing in front of an audience or being on live TV with my heart pounding, butterflies in my stomach, and my body a bundle of nerves.

I’ve also had speaking engagements and TV appearances where I’ve felt in the flow and completely comfortable and confident.

What made the difference? That’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode.

It’s normal to feel nervous before you speak. What you want to do is learn how to channel those nerves and reduce outsized anxiety.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 3 reasons you get nervous before a speaking engagement

• Why your body reacts the way it does

• A story of my worst speaking experience ever and what I learned from it

• What do in advance of your speaking engagement to lessen anxiety

• What to do right before you go on stage to channel your normal nerves

This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”

Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk?

Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3day in-person speaking intensive.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/370/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker
• Episode 348: Confidence Unleashed: Owning the Stage with Authentic Presence
• Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable