The Layers of Fear behind Public Speaking
It’s not just the fear you think it is.
You tell yourself you’re afraid of public speaking.
You picture the stage, the camera, the Zoom call… and you feel it — that tightness in your chest, the shaky voice, the blank mind.
But let’s go deeper.
Because often, what you think is the fear… isn’t the real fear.
When I work with clients, I ask them to complete two simple phrases:
“I’m afraid of public speaking because…”
And they answer:
“Because I might stutter.”
“Because I’ll forget what to say.”
“Because people will notice how nervous I am.”
Then I ask:
“…and if that happens, then what?”
And that’s when the truth emerges:
“Then people will think I’m not good enough.”
“They’ll judge me.”
“They’ll reject me.”
I might keep asking even more questions getting to more layers but this is the main and most powerful layer beneath.
The fear under the fear.
It’s not just about speaking.
It’s about being seen — and not accepted.
It’s about rejection, shame, exposure.
When your nervous system is flooded with the fear of judgment, the body reacts — no matter how prepared you are.
You don’t need to be louder.
Or perfect.
Or someone else.
You just need safety.
A new imprint.
A way to teach your body that visibility is no longer a threat.
That’s what we do inside Executive Talk Rewire™:
We get to the root.
We untangle the fear — layer by layer.
Until you can finally step forward, speak clearly, and feel safe doing it.
Because when you’re no longer afraid of being seen, your voice becomes magnetic.
Learn more:
