How to Overcome Fears of Public Speaking
For many people, fear of public speaking is one of the biggest fears they hold — and I was no exception. My own fear began with a moment when I was thirteen, standing at the front of a classroom giving a presentation. Out of nowhere, my chest tightened, my voice thinned, and suddenly I could barely speak. That moment imprinted something in me:
It’s not safe to be seen. My voice might fail me.
For years, that fear lingered quietly in the background. I avoided speaking roles. I stayed small. I kept my real voice tucked away.
Everything began to shift when I started taking voice lessons. My teacher helped me learn how to breathe — really breathe — into my belly and diaphragm. As I strengthened my breath and my body, my voice began to return. I realized that public speaking is not just about words; it’s about grounding, presence, and allowing your authentic self to come through.
Over time, I not only healed my own fear of speaking — I began helping clients do the same. We practiced breathwork, voice activation, grounding techniques, and embodied presence. But something else became clear:
Fears of public speaking are not always about speaking. They are often about being seen.
As a Priestess and guide, I’ve also witnessed how deep these fears can run — sometimes linked to past-life memories of persecution, punishment for speaking truth, or being silenced for sharing wisdom. I’ve supported clients in releasing these ancient wounds so they could step fully into visibility, leadership, and authentic expression.
One client I supported was preparing for a speech at her local garden club. Her fear didn’t come from inexperience — it came from a belief formed in childhood. When she was a teenager, she begged her alcoholic mother to leave a bar with her. Her mother refused. In that moment, she internalized the belief:
My voice doesn’t matter. I don’t matter.
Together, we traced the origin of that wound, healed the belief, and rewove a new truth. Her speech went beautifully.
I’ve supported other clients to feel confident giving presentations in person or on zoom meetings, to feel more confident in social settings, and believe in the value of what they have to share.
Public speaking fears are often rooted in moments where our voice was dismissed, ignored, shamed, or silenced.
Whether they originate in this lifetime or another, they can be healed.
And alongside the inner healing, there are practical, grounded steps that build genuine confidence:
Start small — share your voice in spaces where you feel safe.
Create achievable wins — each success strengthens your nervous system.
Practice embodiment — breathwork, grounding, and presence are essential.
Repeat — confidence doesn’t come from thinking.
Confidence comes from taking action.
This is why I’ve led groups of new yoga teachers through practice teaching circles — giving them repetition, supportive feedback, and the chance to build embodied confidence in their voice. Again and again, I saw the same truth:
When we speak, we heal. When we show up, we grow.
One of my favorite quotes reminds us that fear is not a stop sign:
If it scares you, but excites you even just a little bit — it’s time to go for it.
This has guided me through every threshold, every stage, every moment of stepping into visibility.
And of course, I’ve walked this path myself. Here are a few talks I’ve given:
My Toastmasters speech: “The Gifts of Giving”
My book release party speech for Just Be: “The Power of Self-Love”
If fear of public speaking has been holding you back, know this: you are not alone.
Your voice matters.
Your message matters.
Your presence matters.
And with the right healing, support, and practice, you can reclaim the confidence to speak clearly, courageously, and powerfully — in any room you stand in.
If you’re seeking support in this area, I’d be happy to speak with you and create a custom plan for your next steps.
With love,
Meredith
