Stay calm and composed: Remember that the audience is not there to attack you personally, but rather to hear what you have to say. Take a deep breath and focus on delivering your message confidently. Engage with the audience: Try to connect with the crowd by asking questions, sharing personal anecdotes, or using humor to break the tension. This can help create a more positive atmosphere and make the audience more receptive to your speech. Practice active listening: Pay attention to the reactions of the crowd during your speech and be prepared to adjust your delivery if necessary. If you sense that the audience is not engaged, try changing up your approach or adding more interactive elements to keep them interested.

One thing that helps me is accepting that some anxiety is normal—for me, it stems from performance anxiety from playing D1 sports. Anxiety means we CARE. I remind myself I'm talking to real people, not merely delivering information. I recently learned that stage fright likely stems from evolution—our ancestors felt anxious when being watched closely by strangers (fight-or-flight). Knowing that this anxiety is hardwired makes me feel better about it. If I trip over a line or two, I roll with it. I acknowledge my nerves with light-hearted comments to ease the tension. It's not about being perfect but about connecting with the audience. Being vulnerable and embracing our imperfections can be a powerful tool for authenticity.

Facing a large crowd can feel like standing in the eye of a storm, but remaining calm is similar to perfecting box breathing. Inhale slowly—fill your lungs with confidence, allowing the stress to dissolve away. Hold that breath, centering yourself in the present moment and allowing your mind to focus. Exhale, releasing your nerves as if a weight were lifted from your chest. Repeat this rhythm, much like box breathing, to keep your thoughts and heartbeat stable. The calm, controlled energy you project is what gives your speech its strength, not the words you use. When your breath is steady, your speech becomes unshakeable, and the listener is compelled to lean in.

One way to stay focused when facing nerves is to firstly take a moment to stay as calm and composed as possible. Deep breathing can be very helpful for this and can help to reduce the stress and nerves before stepping on to the stage. It can also help to keep you grounded and centre you and your thoughts to ensure you can be fully focused on the content of your speech. Also, another way is to shift the focus of your attention from focusing on the fear of what the audience will think of your speech to focusing on what value you can give to the audience and how your speech can positively impact them. This shifting of focus can help to relieve the pressure you are putting on yourself and instead reconnect with the purpose of your speech.

To overcome nervousness while public speaking, employ deep breathing techniques to maintain composure and focus on delivering your message effectively. Extensive practice is key to building confidence and delivering a powerful speech. Establish a connection with your audience by maintaining eye contact, which fosters a personal understanding.