OUCH! How to Go from (Brain) Freeze to Flow

When I was a kid growing up in Southern California, I lived for popsicles on hot summer days. I’d eat them as fast as I could—until the inevitable brain freeze hit. That sudden, icy grip that stopped me in my tracks.

As it turns out, the same thing can happen in speaking.

One moment, you’re in the zone, words flowing effortlessly. The next? Blank mind. Tight breath. Frozen in place.

It’s speaking brain freeze, and if you’ve ever experienced it, you know how disorienting it feels.

Most people try to think their way out of it. But here’s the truth:?

Thinking won’t save you. Breathing will.

Why We Freeze

We stop breathing. When we stop breathing, we stop thinking. In that moment, our body reacts as if we’re facing a hungry bear instead of an audience filled with other humans. We hold our breath, tighten up, and mentally scramble for words.?

In other words, brain freeze.?

Just like popsicle brain freeze, the cure is pretty simple:

Open your mouth. Inhale air.

That’s it.

Breath is the gateway to inspiration.

The Power of the Pause

Of course, if it were that easy, no one would struggle. The deeper question is: Why do we stop breathing in the first place?

Through years of coaching speakers, I’ve found that under the surface, there are often a few deep-seated fears:

• I have to talk fast to keep their attention.
• If I slow down, they’ll cut me off.
• If I’m not doing something, I’m not valuable.

But here’s the truth: Silence isn’t your enemy—it’s your power.

Pauses aren’t awkward; they’re essential. They give the audience time to absorb your words. They create meaning, just like white space in art or rests in music.

The silence that feels endless to you? To your audience, it’s a breath of fresh air.

Your Presence is Enough

Many speakers feel they need to prove themselves. To fill every gap with words. But the most compelling speakers trust that their presence alone has value.

Anything you say is simply icing on the cake of you.

In this week’s mini-sode of Soulful Speaking, I explore how to break free from speaking brain freeze, why trusting the pause makes you a more powerful speaker, and how to shift from panic to presence.

?? Listen Here

Have you ever suffered from speaking brain freeze? What helped you find your way back? Let me know in the comments!