I still remember the first time I stood in front of a crowd to speak. My voice trembled like a radio signal from another galaxy. My palms? Sweaty. Knees? Almost gave way. That moment, standing before a small class in Port Harcourt during my early years, felt like a battle between my passion and my nerves. Fast forward to today, I lead speaking clubs, teach, host talk shows, and still find myself battling how to overcome stage fright now and then. But guess what? I now own the stage, not fear.

If you’ve ever felt the heat of self-doubt just before speaking up in a meeting, giving a presentation, or performing on stage, you’re not alone. Whether you’re in Nigeria or Turkey, on Zoom or in a physical room, stage fright is real. But it doesn’t have to own you.

Let’s explore real, relatable, and actionable ways to overcome stage fright and speak with confidence, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a teacher, a creative, or just someone trying to be heard.

1. Know Your Why—Let Passion Lead the Way

One thing I’ve learned from speaking at MEEI’s Speaking Club and other forums is that passion can drown fear. When you focus on why you’re speaking, what value you’re bringing, it pulls your attention away from fear and back to purpose.

Ask yourself:

• What message do I want to share?
• Who needs to hear this today?

Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being impactful.

2. Practice, But Practice Smart

Practicing your speech or pitch is important, but don’t just memorize. Instead:

• Practice in front of a mirror.
• Record yourself and watch it back (you’ll cringe, but you’ll learn).
• Practice in low-stakes settings, like with friends, in a language club, or in small classes.

I often rehearse my key points while walking around my flat in Türkiye or while sipping tea on my balcony—doing it in familiar, low-pressure settings helped me internalize the message.

3. Breathe Like You Mean It

When stage fright kicks in, your breathing becomes shallow. This makes everything worse.
Here’s a trick:

• Inhale deeply for 4 seconds
• Hold it for 4 seconds
• Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
• Do this three times before stepping on stage

It resets your nervous system. Simple, but powerful.

4. Start Small—Let Confidence Compound

Don’t wait for the “big stage” to practice confidence.
Start by:

• Speaking up in team meetings
• Volunteering to introduce someone at an event
• Reading a book passage aloud at a book club

I got more comfortable speaking publicly by leading small speaking clubs and classroom sessions. Those little wins built my public-speaking muscle over time.

5. Create a Pre-Speech Ritual

Before speaking, I play calming music, sometimes Nigerian gospel, sometimes Turkish soul. I pray, review my notes, and give myself a little pep talk.
Find what grounds you:

• A playlist
• Affirmations like: “I deserve to be heard”
• Stretching or even a short dance

It’s less about the ritual itself and more about creating a consistent, familiar rhythm that tells your brain, “We’ve got this.”

6. Make It a Conversation, Not a Performance

One mental shift changed the game for me:
I stopped trying to impress. I started trying to connect.
People don’t need a perfect speaker. They need a present one. Talk to your audience like you’re chatting with a close friend over a meal in Uyo or at a café in Istanbul.

Let your personality shine through. Laugh. Be human.

7. Visualize Success (Not Disaster)

Your brain doesn’t know the difference between real and vividly imagined experiences. So use it to your advantage:

• Visualize walking confidently onto the stage
• Picture the audience nodding and smiling
• Imagine yourself enjoying the talk

This mental rehearsal rewires your brain to associate public speaking with positive outcomes, not panic.

8. Get Feedback and Keep Growing

After every speaking gig, big or small, get feedback:

• Ask what worked and what didn’t
• Watch your recording (yes, again)
• Join a group like a local speaking club (like MEEI’s!)

The more you speak, the more you grow. You’ll start noticing progress, even if it’s subtle.

Final Thoughts: Your Voice is a Gift—Don’t Hide It

I still feel nervous before speaking sometimes. But now I know fear doesn’t mean I’m not ready. It means I care.
You were never meant to sound like anyone else. Your voice matters. Your story matters.

So whether you’re pitching your business, sharing a story, or stepping on stage for the first time, lean in. The world is waiting to hear what you’ve got to say.

Have you struggled with stage fright before? What’s helped you feel more confident speaking publicly?
Let me know in the comments or share your story, let’s grow together.