The first step to conquering fear is to understand what causes it and how it affects you. Fear is a natural reaction to perceived threats or challenges, and it can trigger physical and mental responses that can either help or hinder your performance. Common sources of fear when pitching include fear of rejection or criticism, fear of failure or embarrassment, fear of the unknown or unpredictable, fear of not being prepared or knowledgeable enough, and fear of not being persuasive or convincing enough. To understand your fear better, identify which sources are relevant to your situation and how they manifest in your body and mind. Do you feel anxious, nervous, sweaty, shaky, or nauseous? Do you have negative thoughts, doubts, or worries? Do you avoid eye contact, stutter, or ramble? By recognizing your fear, you can acknowledge it and start to work on overcoming it.