Turning Stage Fright Into Stage Presence
I recently learned about a medication called propranolol that some people use to reduce stage fright. I understand the impulse. I used to experience tremendous anxiety any time I had to get up in front of an audience. Back in high school, college, even into my twenties, I would check my heart rate before presenting, and it would be double my normal resting rate. I’d be sweating, shaking, freaking out—and then freaking out more because I was freaking out.
So I get why someone might want something that lowers the physical symptoms of nervousness. But here’s an idea I’d like to offer: anxiety and excitement look almost identical in the human body.
Anxiety and Excitement Feel the Same—It’s the Story That’s Different
Scientists have actually studied this. They put two people on a roller coaster—one person who loves roller coasters and one who hates them. They measured their physiological responses. And guess what?
Their bodies looked the same.
- Heart rate up
- Adrenaline pumping
- Skin sweating
- Heightened alertness
The only difference? The meaning each person gave the sensation. One person interpreted all that energy as excitement. The other interpreted it as fear.
What Helped Me Move Past Stage Fright
Over the years, I discovered something powerful: I actually want to feel that energy. Great speakers feel it too. Even the most seasoned presenters in the world carry a certain level of discomfort before they step into the spotlight.
The mistake we make is believing we need to feel calm the entire time. Then, as the presentation gets closer, we get hit with a wave of nervousness and think, “Oh no, something’s wrong.” That reaction creates more fear.
Try Choosing Discomfort Instead of Fighting It
The next time you feel that pang of nervousness, don’t resist it—embrace it. Let it be there. Consider the possibility that this energy is actually useful. Because it is.
Comfort doesn’t create presence. Discomfort does.
If you stop chasing comfort and allow yourself to feel the natural surge of energy that comes before presenting, you’re going to get closer to the confident, connected stage presence you want.
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