For many professionals, public speaking anxiety is more than just a nuisance, it’s a serious barrier. A source of stress. Even panic.

But what if we told you that the fear of public speaking doesn’t have to own you? That the anxiety you're feeling can be transformed, not with more tips and tricks, but with a deeper shift in your mindset and beliefs?

That’s exactly what came to life during our BostonSpeaks April 2025 Speaking Success Panel. In this powerful live event, three professionals shared how they faced their speaking anxiety head-on and came out on the other side with more public speaking confidence, clarity, and calm.

Watch the Full Panel

Hear how Fabian, Josh, and Suresh went from anxious to empowered speakers:

💬 Fabian’s Story: “Enough was enough.”

Fabian, a Software Engineering Manager, described how his lifelong nervousness about public speaking shaped his career and self-worth.

“I rated myself a 9 or 10. I avoided it at all costs. I once missed a flight on purpose so I didn’t have to give a presentation. I let my teammates down but I felt relief. That’s when I knew something had to change.”

Even after trying solutions like Toastmasters and online tips for overcoming fear of public speaking, Fabian still struggled.

“It wasn’t tips and tricks. It was mindset. I realized I needed to stop resisting the anxiety. Now when it shows up, I say, ‘Okay, sit next to me. We’re doing this together.’ That changed everything.”

💬 Josh’s Story: “I couldn’t believe I was still dealing with this at 50.”

Josh McLean, a business owner in Wisconsin, had spent his entire life trying to cope with performance anxiety.

“I’ve battled this my whole life. I remember skipping a college presentation and telling the professor, ‘I’ll take the D.’ And I meant it.”

Despite years of managing teams and speaking in meetings, Josh still experienced public speaking nerves, especially when a podium or microphone was involved.

“I hit a wall. I had several speaking engagements coming up, and I thought, ‘Why am I still struggling with this?’

A breakthrough moment for Josh came during an exercise that involved intentionally "freezing" in front of an audience to reduce fear.

“It was powerful. I stopped fearing the worst-case scenario. I realized I could stumble and still be okay. The world didn’t end.”

Today, Josh approaches his fear of public speaking with acceptance.

“I still get nervous, but I don’t resist it. I accept it. I even tell people, ‘Yeah, I’m nervous because this matters to me.’ That honesty is freeing.”

💬 Suresh’s Story: “I’m finally happy.”

For Suresh, a software engineer, speaking anxiety wasn’t a constant, but it would spike during high-stakes moments like executive presentations.

“In one-on-one or regulatory meetings, I was fine. But high-stakes presentations? My heart would race. My voice would shake. I was so critical of myself after.”

After discovering BostonSpeaks through a social media ad, Suresh took the leap and found clarity.

“The biggest win for me was understanding why I felt this way. BostonSpeaks helped me uncover the root of the anxiety. Now, even if I feel nervous, I let it be. And I move forward.”

When asked how things have changed, Suresh didn’t talk about promotions or applause, he talked about peace.

“I'm not chasing perfection anymore. I'm not overanalyzing my accent or my grammar. I’m just happy and that’s everything.”

Mindset over Mastery

All three stories highlighted one essential truth: the key to overcoming public speaking anxiety isn’t mastering performance—it’s shifting your mindset.

As Gina Rappaport, Head Speaking Coach at BostonSpeaks, shared:

“Perfectionism can take us far in life but it often backfires in speaking. You can’t be present when you're in your head. The key is learning to be okay with imperfection.”

These speakers didn’t eliminate anxiety. Instead, they learned to reframe it. To stop letting it control them.

“It’s not dread anymore,” said Fabian. “It’s just being human.”

From Coping to Confidence

Before BostonSpeaks, each panelist tried different ways to cope with public speaking fear...like cold plunges, beta blockers, and breathing exercises. While helpful, those methods were short-term.

The real transformation came when they combined practical tools with deeper mindset coaching for speaking anxiety.

As Josh noted:

“The coursework made sense of everything. It wasn’t about just getting by—it was about understanding, accepting, and then thriving.”

Real-Life Confidence Gains

• Fabian now leads meetings with presence and calm.
• Suresh no longer ruminates after presentations.
• Josh is testing the waters of stand-up comedy!

Final Advice for Anyone with Speaking Anxiety

We asked the panelists: What would you say to someone still stuck in fear?

• “Life’s too short to live in fear.” – Josh
• “Just try something new. You don’t have to do it alone.” – Fabian
• “Explore with an open mind.” – Suresh

You’re Not Alone

If you’ve been searching for how to overcome fear of public speaking, you’re in the right place. At BostonSpeaks, we’ve helped hundreds of professionals build real public speaking confidence.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.

👉 Book a free call to explore how we can help you transform your relationship with public speaking.