I Spoke In Public as an Introvert—Here’s How I Did It

One month ago, I stood on stage at TEDxUNILAG, giving a talk that has since reached an audience of over 40 million people digitally and hundreds physically. It still feels surreal.

I went from being terrified of public speaking to delivering a talk that became an audience favourite.

If you’ve ever felt afraid to put yourself out there, I get it. The spotlight can feel overwhelming, especially when the comfort of staying behind the scenes seems so much safer. But here’s the truth: your voice, your story, and your brand deserve to be heard.

I know this because I’ve been there.

For years, I avoided anything that would make me the centre of attention. Meetings, pitches, and even casual networking felt impossible—like climbing Mount Everest without gear. My fear of judgement and rejection kept me paralyzed.

But one day, it hit me: staying silent wasn’t serving my dreams. The more I stayed invisible, the further away my goals felt.

So, I took action. Slowly, but consistently.

Running a marketing agency like Pixxis Agency forced me to step out of my comfort zone. I had to pitch, lead client calls, and network regularly. Over time, I learned to embrace the discomfort.

Here are three lessons that helped me transform:

1. Reframe fear as excitement. Nervous energy is passion in disguise—channel it!
2. Prepare like your life depends on it. Confidence comes from knowing you’re ready.
3. Start small. Speak to familiar, low-pressure audiences before taking bigger stages.

When I was invited to speak at TEDxUNILAG, my first instinct was to say no. I told myself I was too busy, preferred smaller crowds, and would fail to connect with the audience. But thanks to a few good friends, I snapped out of it and decided to prepare.

I spoke about “Overthinking from the Perspective of a CEO/Leader”—how I turned a perceived weakness into a superpower. When the TEDx Licensee walked up to me afterward and said, “Your talk was an audience favourite,” I realised the leap of faith had been worth it.

I went from being afraid of stages, to getting featured on Techcabal, and I look forward to speaking more. Barely 2 weeks after, I got invited to speak at another event.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I took that first step. And I hope this post inspires you to take yours.

Your journey starts with one small action: believing you’re worthy of being heard.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your story. What’s one scary step you’ve taken that you’re now proud of? Share it in the comments.

P.S. Are you in the Fintech, Fashion, or Food industry? Winning in 2025 means starting now. Book a strategy session with me here: https://calendly.com/pixxis/clarity or email me directly at [email protected].

Let’s make magic.

Gideon Tomoloju , Founder Pixxis Agency

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