Original Publication Date: March 7, 2025 | Updated: March 21, 2025
You’re standing backstage. Your heart is racing. Your hands feel clammy. Your brain is convinced that stepping onto that stage is the same as stepping into a lion’s den. Welcome to performance anxiety—aka, stage fright.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to live with this fear. I’ve worked with everyone—from absolute beginners to world-famous performers—and let me tell you: stage fright is something you can control.
If you’re struggling with performance anxiety, I’ve put together a powerful, free guide to help you:
✅ Rewire your brain so nerves don’t hold you back
✅ Master proven, backstage-tested relaxation techniques
✅ Build rock-solid confidence before you step into the spotlight
Now, let’s break down exactly why stage fright happens—and how you can start flipping fear into fierce performance power.
Why Does Performance Anxiety Happen?
Before we talk solutions, let’s get one thing straight: stage fright is not a flaw. It’s literally how your brain is designed.
Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
🚨 Your brain registers the audience as a “threat” (even though they’re not)
🚨 It triggers the fight-or-flight response (aka survival mode)
🚨 Your body releases adrenaline: heart races, breathing gets shallow, mind blanks out
This reaction helped our ancestors survive—but today? It just makes stepping onstage feel terrifying.
But Here’s the Truth…
Your body isn’t betraying you—it’s giving you energy to perform. That nervous rush? It’s potential. And when you learn to redirect it, your nerves can fuel your best performance ever.
👉 Want the full breakdown on why performance anxiety happens—PLUS how to take control of it? Download my free guide here.
Performance Anxiety Management Techniques You Can Start Using Now
1. The “Name Your Fear” Trick (This Works Instantly)
Ever feel like your stage fright is a nasty little voice in your head telling you you’re going to mess up? Let’s flip the script.
🔹 Give your fear a name. Make it a character. (Mine is named Marcia—and trust me, she is a mess.)
🔹 Talk to it. When Marcia shows up before a performance, I literally tell her: “Girl, you are NOT needed today. There’s the door.”
🔹 Physically remove it. Some of my students carry an object (a coin, a pen) to symbolize their fear—then leave it backstage before stepping out.
It sounds weird, but guess what? It works. The moment you stop seeing your anxiety as a part of you—and start treating it like an uninvited guest—you gain control.
👉 Want the step-by-step process for making this technique stick? Grab my free guide now!
2. The “Flip the Script” Mental Hack
Most people try to fight their nerves. But here’s the secret:🔥 Nerves and excitement feel the same in your body.
Think about it: When you’re nervous, your heart races. When you’re excited, your heart races. The difference? How your brain labels the feeling.
💡 Instead of saying, “I’m nervous,” try:
✅ “I’m excited to share this with people.”
✅ “This energy means I’m ready.”
✅ “I’m about to slay this performance.”
I break down exactly how to train your brain to replace fear with fierce confidence inside my free guide.
3. The “Pre-Show Ritual” That Grounds You Every Time
Want to know what Broadway stars, Olympic athletes, and world-class speakers all have in common?
...They ALL have a pre-performance ritual.
Of all the performance anxiety management techniques I go over in the guide, this is perhaps the most important one. A ritual is a small, repeatable action that tells your brain: It’s showtime. Let’s go.
🎤 Here’s my personal pre-show ritual:
I put a drop of Rhoto eye drops in each eye. (They burn, but in a good way.) (Not an ad, btw)
I lower my head, breathe in, and let the coolness tingle.
Then I snap my head up, lock eyes with myself in the mirror, and whisper one word:
✨ STAR. ✨
Find YOUR ritual—whether it’s a breathing exercise, a lucky charm, or a quick stretch sequence. The more you repeat it, the more it becomes a mental anchor.
(Want a pre-show routine that works for YOU? Download my free guide.)
What’s Inside the “Stage Fright to Stage Might” Guide?
Inside, I walk you through exactly how to:
✅ Turn anxiety into performance power (instead of fighting it)
✅ Master a breathing technique that calms nerves instantly
✅ Create a pre-show ritual that makes fear disappear
✅ Avoid the 3 biggest mistakes most performers make before stepping onstage
Final Thoughts: You Are Bigger Than Your Fear
🚀 Performance anxiety does NOT control you.
🚀 Your nerves do NOT define you.
🚀 You have something incredible to share—and the world is waiting.
🎤 Next steps?
🎭 Book a coaching session if you want 1-on-1 training.
📚 Check out my other vocal tips here around the blog to keep building your confidence.
👑 Leave mediocrity to someone else. It’s time to SLAY.
BTW - if you're wondering how much the typical voice lesson costs around the United States, check out this blog I wrote based on my own research.
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