From panic to powerhouse! In this article, I share the personal journey of how I overcame intense fear as a speaker and trainer to build a thriving 7-figure business teaching others how to present with confidence and persuasion.
I’ve always loved performing. As a soloist in the Canberra Youth Ballet, I thrived on stage – the lights, the music, the magic. I was confident, expressive, and completely in my element. So it makes perfect sense that I ended up building a career around helping others shine on a stage!
What most people don’t realise is that my journey to becoming a presentation skills training expert wasn’t easy… and it wasn’t without fear.
After completing a Fine Arts degree, I struggled to find work during the early ’90s recession. A friend connected me with a secretarial role at Lend Lease. I knew it would be a great stepping stone. I discovered a love for teaching when I started helping colleagues with computers – and boldly pitched the idea of creating a training department… with me as the trainer. Remarkably, they said yes – and even funded Masters in Adult Education!
Unfortunately, that’s when the nerves began.
At first, it was subtle – a tight chest, a jittery tummy before presenting. But soon, the anxiety became debilitating. Before every presentation skills workshop, or speaking opportunity, I’d feel sick. My heart would race. I’d sweat through my clothes. My hands, legs and bum would shake to the point of embarrassment. I’d go completely blank in front of groups. Once, I even forgot my own name in front of a Board of Directors – all I had to say was “I’m Michelle” and I couldn’t remember! I started hiding in bathrooms, vomiting just before delivering my presentation skills workshops – and then pulling myself together and pretending nothing was wrong. And no one ever knew.
Later, while working as a presentation skills coach with a well know consultancy alongside talented Australian actors, I picked up dozens of clever tips. Sadly for me, actors, while brilliant, often battle their own stage fright – and mine was getting worse. Despite years of experience, I felt like a fraud.
Eventually, I found a mentor who changed everything. He taught me how to manage my mind, master my focus, and take control of my state. And with that, I finally conquered my nerves.
And now?
In 2022 I was honoured to speak at Million Dollar Round Table – it’s like the Olympic Games for public speakers and the audience numbers in the many thousands. Not a smidge of nerves – amazing!
These days, I run a successful 7-figure presentation skills training Sydney business, working with professionals at every level across Australia and the world. I teach presentation training Sydney and presentation skills training online, helping people just like you find their voice, calm their nerves, and speak with confidence and authority.
I’ve worked with thousands of amazing people – including Kate. Kate fainted three times before trying to give a short update to her team. Her boss eventually told me, “If you can’t fix her, we’ll have to let her go.” Can you imagine that pressure? Kate was terrified. But after just one session together, she never fainted again. Today, she’s still in that job, still presenting, and she’s absolutely thriving.
Another client, a CEO of a global tech company, was about to reject a prestigious Telstra Business Award because he was too frightened to speak on stage. After working together, not only did he accept the award and deliver a brilliant speech – he now regularly speaks to audiences of over 15,000 around the world.
Nerves are normal. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. If you feel sick with dread before speaking, if you avoid opportunities because you’re scared you’ll mess it up, please know: you’re not alone. And there is a way through it.
Here are three tips to get you started:
1. Remember – it’s not about you.
Great speakers serve their audience. Your nerves come from thinking too much about yourself – how you look, sound, or feel. The magic happens when you flip the focus. Think about how you can help your audience, what they need, and how you can serve them.
2. Prepare properly.
Winging it is a recipe for stress. Make a serious decision to take your communication seriously. Plan your message, structure your content, and rehearse thoroughly. When you prepare properly, you reduce uncertainty – and that helps calm your nerves.
3. Make real eye connection.
Instead of looking around nervously or avoiding people’s eyes, truly connect with your audience. Look one person in the eye, finish your thought, then move to another. When you focus fully on your audience, your attention shifts away from your fear – and onto the people you’re there to serve.
You don’t have to be born confident. Confidence can be built. And once you learn how to manage your nerves, you’ll feel unstoppable.
If you’re ready to speak up, be heard, and finally enjoy the experience of presenting, I’d love to help. You can join one of my presentation skills workshops, book private coaching, or explore my presentation skills training online from anywhere in the world. Let’s chat!
Would you like to participate in our presentation skills training course?
We have a 25-year proven track record in developing people’s business presentation, public speaking and pitching skills. We will help YOU stand out for all the right reasons!
Master the art of public speaking and persuasive presenting in business with our life-changing public speaking training in Sydney LIVE and ONLINE via Zoom or MS Teams.
One presentation skills training course once is all you need.
Become a more confident, engaging and persuasive business presenter & stay true to your natural style!
We promise no hand holding and we will not video your presentation because it’s not necessary for awesome improvement!
©2025 MICHELLE BOWDEN is an authority on persuasive presenting in business. She’s run her Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass over 1000 times for more than 13,000 people over the past 25 years and her name is a synonym for ‘presentation skills’ in Australia.
Michelle Bowden is a multi-million-dollar pitch coach to her client list that reads like a who’s who of international business: banking and finance, IT, pharmaceutical, retail, telecommunications plus many more.
Michelle is the creator of the Persuasion Smart Profile®, a world-first psychological assessment tool that reports on your persuasive strengths and weaknesses at work, the best-selling internationally published author of How to Present: the ultimate guide to presenting live and online (Wiley) and her new book is called How to Persuade: the skills you need to get what you want (Wiley).
