Master Public Speaking Under Pressure | Elaine Williams | Captivate the Mic

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Even though I grew up performing, singing, dancing, and doing theater, the very first time I stood up to speak as myself at a Toastmasters meeting—without a script or a character to hide behind—my brain went completely blank. My heart pounded, I started sweating, and I completely choked in under 30 seconds.

In this special solo episode of Captivate the Mic, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own journey from freezing up on stage to doing stand-up comedy and helping C-suite executives command the room. Speaking well under pressure is a completely different animal than regular conversation, and true confidence comes from the inside out.

Key Takeaways:

Character vs. Self: Speaking as a character with a script is vastly different from standing up and sharing your authentic voice as a human being.Practice in Front of People: Skip the mirror. Mirror practice makes you hyper-self-conscious. True growth happens when you practice in front of real eyes.Ride the Ride: Every audience is a unique experience. Give up the need to control the outcome, stay anchored in your purpose, and be willing to ride the ups and downs.Connect with Your Why: When your focus shifts from "How do I look?" to "How can I make an impact?", your nerves naturally settle.

Elaine Willaims' Bio

An award-winning comedic speaker, international best-selling author, and podcast host, Elaine Williams is a premier video and speaker coach who transforms clients from "awkward to awesome" on camera and stage. As the founder of Captivate the Crowd, she combines her certified coaching background with over 40 years of professional experience across theater, film, TV, and stand-up comedy—including credits with Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent, and HBO—to train executives, entrepreneurs, and speakers to confidently command the room. Her clients have accelerated from complete camera avoidance to launching successful YouTube channels, embarking on international book tours, and speaking for organizations like NASA. A highly sought-after speaker who has delivered keynotes at military bases and prestigious universities nationwide, Elaine holds a BA in Drama with honors from UT Austin and draws on her extensive training in leadership, performance, and visibility to empower leaders to step out of the wings, take imperfect action, and own their spotlight. 

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!