Overcoming stage fright: turn nerves into energy
Stage fright is part of speaking. Fear of speaking doesn't have to be. In coaching with public speaking coach Michael Sinnhuber you learn to get trembling, a racing heart and blanking out under control, and to channel your nerves into energy. We work on your actual next talk, covering mindset, structure, breathing, voice and practice under realistic conditions. Online or in Mittersill (Austria), in English or German. From €250 net (€300 gross) per hour.
“There are two types of speakers: those who get nervous and those who are liars.”
attributed to Mark Twain
Stage fright is not a sign of weakness.
It shows that your talk matters to you.
When does stage fright hit you?
Most often just before you go on. For some people, at every one of these moments.
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Days in advance
Sleepless nights, a knot in your stomach and thoughts that keep circling back to the talk.
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Just before you go on
The most common moment: you are waiting for your turn. Your palms get sweaty, your pulse races, and suddenly your opening line is gone.
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In the first few minutes
Your voice shakes, your heart pounds, your mouth goes dry. And everyone is looking at you.
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Going blank
Mid-sentence, everything is suddenly gone. Many speakers' worst nightmare, and something you can learn to handle.
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During Q&A and on camera
You're fine as long as you stick to what you prepared. Then a question comes, or the camera starts rolling.
Stage fright can strike on any occasion. For your specific talk, see the matching page under public speaking coaching.
What we work on
We follow the four phases of the House of Speaking method. Stage fright starts in your head, so that is where the work starts too: with the foundation.
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Foundation Your mindset: what others think is not in your hands. -
Planning & building A clear structure that keeps you steady. -
Design Slides and notes that catch you when things get tight. -
Delivery Breathing, voice and body language that calm you down.
Negative and positive stage fright
For many people, speaking in front of others is their single biggest fear. In a survey in Germany, “speaking in public” came top at 41%, well ahead of the fear of illness. So you are in good company.
Yet stage fright isn’t bad in itself. There is negative stage fright, which holds you back: shaking, a racing heart, going blank. And there is positive stage fright, which makes you alert, focused and full of energy. That is what we work towards: not getting rid of stage fright, but moving to its good side.
What changes
Before
- You turn down speaking opportunities or pass them to others
- Nerves take over your voice and body
- You dread going blank
- Afterwards, you're just relieved it's over
After
- You say yes when an opportunity comes up
- You channel your nerves into energy
- You know exactly what to do when things get tight
- You walk off stage knowing: that went well
How it works
- Intro call short · free When your stage fright kicks in, how it shows and which talk is coming up next.
- Analysis What makes you nervous, and what already gives you confidence today.
- Practice in small steps First in a safe setting, then under increasingly realistic conditions.
- Dress rehearsal Your talk, as close to the real thing as possible, with everything that goes with it.
- Your talk You go on stage with butterflies, but in control.
- Formats
- Single session, Talk sprint or Stage ready
- Where
- online · Mittersill
- Languages
- English and German
Your coach
I'm Michael Sinnhuber, public speaking coach and author of “3, 2, 1… Reden ist jetzt Deins”. At school and university I trembled before every presentation. Today I enjoy being on stage. I know the journey in between from personal experience.
“Thank you […] above all for your time and patience! Thanks to your constructive feedback and your positive manner, I have more faith in myself again and will keep working on my presentation skills.”
Frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of stage fright completely?
No, and that's a good thing. A certain level of nerves keeps you alert and focused. The goal isn't to feel nothing at all, but to make your nerves work for you instead of against you.
What is the difference between stage fright and fear of public speaking?
Stage fright is the nervousness before and during a talk that almost everyone experiences. Fear of public speaking, known as glossophobia, is when the anxiety becomes so strong that you avoid speaking altogether. Both can be reduced significantly with practice and preparation.
What helps just before I go on?
Above all, what you have taken care of beforehand: tech and room checked, your opening firmly in your head, steady breathing. In coaching we work out exactly what helps you personally in those last few minutes.
What do I do if I go blank?
Stay calm, take a breath and go back to your structure. A pause feels endless to you, but your audience barely notices it. We practise this until you know how to pick up the thread again.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on how much your stage fright holds you back. Before a specific talk, the Talk sprint works well. If you want to become more confident for good, choose the three-month programme.
Is coaching a substitute for therapy?
No. If you experience panic attacks or anxiety that seriously restricts your life, medical or psychotherapeutic support is the right path. Coaching focuses on speaking: preparation, practice and delivery.
Which talk is making you nervous?
Tell me about it in a short, free intro call. We'll work out what you need, which format will get you there and whether we're a good fit.