Facing the Fear: Stage Fright, Performance Anxiety and Why You’re Not Alone

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As a communication coach, I see it every week.
Highly capable professionals—leaders, experts, scientists, engineers—who are confident in their knowledge, yet feel their stomachs tighten the moment they have to speak in public.

Stage fright. Performance anxiety. Public speaking nerves.
Different labels. Same human experience.

And here’s the reassuring truth: feeling anxious before you speak is normal. Totally normal.

Recently, on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Elaine Paige—often described as the First Lady of British Musical Theatre—shared something refreshingly honest.

Despite a career spanning more than 60 years, she suffered from terrible stage fright before every performance.

This is a woman who:

  • Made her West End debut in the 1960s

  • Shot to fame in 1978 playing Eva Perón in Evita

  • Starred in Cats, Chess and Sunset Boulevard

  • Released over 30 albums and performed worldwide

  • Hosted a BBC Radio 2 Sunday show for more than 20 years

  • And was recently awarded a Damehood by the King for services to music and charity

And yet—fear was always there.

Elaine described performing as deeply anxiety-making throughout her career. Not only early on, but decades later. In fact, she said it got worse as she got older.

She once asked Vera Lynn—the British legendary singer during the Second World War known as the Forces’ Sweetheart—whether nerves ever disappear.
Vera Lynn’s answer? No. They intensify.

Not exactly comforting. But incredibly honest.

Why this matters for professionals

Most of my clients assume:

“If I were good at public speaking, I wouldn’t feel this anxious.”

That belief is simply wrong.

Performance anxiety often appears when:

  • Your work matters

  • Your reputation is at stake

  • You’re visible

  • You care about being credible and taken seriously

Public speaking—whether it’s a board presentation, conference talk or town hall—is emotionally and physically demanding.

And for non-native English speakers, that pressure multiplies:

  • Finding the right words

  • Managing accent anxiety

  • Speaking with authority in a second (or third) language

No wonder nerves show up.

Fear is not a flaw

Here’s the reframe I encourage all my clients to adopt:

Fear is not a flaw.
It’s evidence that you care deeply about your work.

The goal is not to “get rid” of anxiety.
That’s unrealistic—and unnecessary.

The real goal is to manage it.

To speak with the nerves, not against them.
To develop presentation skills that support you under pressure.
To build structure, clarity, presence and confidence—especially when it matters most.

A goal for 2026

So as we start 2026, I’d love you to consider this:

Not “How do I stop feeling nervous?”
But “How do I ensure my ideas are heard despite the nerves?”

Because your ideas deserve recognition.
Your expertise deserves visibility.
And your voice deserves space—accent, nerves and all.

Practical support

If stage fright or public speaking anxiety resonates with you, I’ve created a free downloadable guide to help you move forward with confidence:

  • 10 practical tips to turn nerves into excitement

  • 5 additional tips for non-native English speakers

You’ll find the link here.

Let’s make 2026 the year you embrace the fear, strengthen your communication skills, and make the impact you truly deserve.