Tech Glitch? Brain Freeze? Here’s How to Stay Unstoppable On Camera

Recently, one of my clients faced the ultimate on-air nightmare. Right in the middle of a media appearance, his internet froze. The screen went dark, the sound cut out, and the connection was lost. For those few seconds, everything stopped—but in his mind, it felt like an eternity.

When he reconnected, the panic set in. His "brain bully" went into overdrive, bombarding him with self-doubt:

• Did I just ruin this opportunity?
• Do I look unprofessional?
• How will I ever recover?

The rest of his interview reflected some of those thoughts. He played it safe, sounded less confident, and walked away feeling like he hadn’t delivered his best.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: the brain bully thrives in moments like these—when something unexpected throws you off course and self-doubt takes over. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to.

The Reality of On-Air Setbacks

Whether it’s a frozen screen, a distracting noise, or stumbling over your words, unexpected moments happen. You’re human, and so is your audience. What truly matters isn’t the glitch itself—it’s how you recover.

In fact, handling a setback with grace can work in your favor. It shows your audience resilience, confidence, and authenticity. People connect with leaders who can handle pressure without falling apart.

This is why I share with clients my Just Keep Going mentality.? You have to just keep going when adversity strikes.? This is true in life and on TV.? I saw the positive impact this mentality had on my clients and it inspired me to bring the message to children in my upcoming children’s book Just Keep Going.? You’ll be the first to hear about when this hits presale this month!? More next week on that.

Do you know who just did this best? Carrie Underwood at the inauguration.? Did you see it?? There was a music glitch.? It wouldn’t play.? What did Carrie do?? She looked confidently into the audience and said “Let’s do this, will you sing with me?”? And she CRUSHED IT.? It was a masterclass in Just Keep Going mentality and in pivoting to what you can control in an uncontrollable perceived disaster.? When millions are watching she could have floundered but instead she flourished because she just kept going.

Think about what we’ve discussed before about the power of showing up authentically. Perfection isn’t what resonates—humanity does.

How to Reset and Take Back Control

The next time a tech glitch or unexpected moment happens, use these steps to regain your footing and shine:

1. Pause and Breathe It might sound simple, but taking a deep breath is the fastest way to stop the brain bully in its tracks. It calms your nerves, resets your focus, and gives you the space to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting in panic.

2. Acknowledge the Moment Pretending nothing happened isn’t the answer—your audience knows something went wrong. Own the moment with ease:

• “Looks like we had a hiccup there—let’s pick up where we left off.”
• “Technology keeps us on our toes! Now, back to the point I was making.”

This small acknowledgment humanizes you and keeps the connection with your audience intact.

3. Shift Your Inner Dialogue The brain bully loves to hijack your confidence. Replace self-doubt with empowering thoughts:

• This is just a moment—it doesn’t define me.
• My audience is rooting for me, not judging me.

Remember, your audience wants you to succeed. They’re far more forgiving than your inner critic.

4. Anchor Yourself to Your Core Message It’s tempting to overcompensate when things go off track. Resist the urge. Instead, anchor yourself back to your key message. This clarity will help you regain control and deliver with confidence.

Why Resilience Matters More Than Perfection

One of the biggest lessons I share with my clients is that audiences don’t expect perfection—they expect connection. How you handle challenges says more about your leadership than a flawless delivery ever could.

In The Green Room, we talk about turning moments of vulnerability into opportunities for authenticity. One client I coached initially dreaded every media appearance. A single misstep would send them into a spiral of self-doubt. But with the right tools and mindset shifts, they learned to embrace these moments as part of the process. Today, they step into every media opportunity with poise and resilience.

This isn’t just about media training—it’s about leadership. Whether you’re on camera, in the boardroom, or addressing your team, challenges will arise. What sets great leaders apart is their ability to navigate those moments with grace and confidence.

The Bigger Picture: Don’t Let the Brain Bully Win

Here’s the truth: the brain bully doesn’t just show up during media appearances—it’s there in meetings, presentations, and even everyday conversations. It thrives on self-doubt and thrives in moments of uncertainty.

But it only has power if you let it.

The key to silencing the brain bully is preparation and mindset. When you’re prepared, you can handle whatever comes your way. When you shift your mindset, you can see setbacks as opportunities instead of obstacles.

Your Takeaway

The next time a setback happens—whether it’s a frozen screen, a tough question, or an unexpected interruption—remember:

• Pause, breathe, and reset.
• Acknowledge the moment and move forward.
• Stay focused on your key message.

Your audience doesn’t expect perfection—they expect leadership. Show them that even when the unexpected happens, you can recover and deliver with impact.

Tip of the Week: Just because you are capable, doesn’t mean you should.