Dr. David Lee Fish, Ph.D.
A seasoned performer and educator with a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Dr. David Lee Fish is the creator of Speak, Perform & Compete with Confidence, a science-backed method for overcoming performance anxiety. At Catawba College in North Carolina, he founded and directed a nationally recognized program of study for students of popular music, helping the next generation of artists find their voice—on stage and off.
Quick Answer
Freezing occurs when your brain perceives a threat and triggers a fight-or-flight response. This survival mechanism prioritizes physical safety over clear thinking and speech. You can manage it by accepting the sensation rather than fighting it, pausing to breathe, and fully engaging in your message using mindfulness techniques
Why Your Freeze
You are not alone in feeling this sudden paralysis. When you stand before an audience, your body often mistakes the pressure for physical danger. This activates your sympathetic nervous system. Your heart races and your mind goes blank because your body is preparing to survive rather than communicate.
The goal is not to eliminate this feeling entirely but to change how you relate to it. Trying to fight the freeze works like a finger trap. The harder you pull away, the tighter the grip becomes. Instead, we use a mindfulness-based approach called the READ method. We accept the nervous energy and channel it into your performance. This method helps speakers, performers, and athletes tame your nerves and regain control quickly.
What triggers the freeze response?
The freeze response is a natural biological reaction. It does not mean you are broken. Several factors converge to create this reaction:
• Audience Presence: Simply having eyes on you triggers self-awareness.
• Fear of Judgment: You perceive that listeners are evaluating you or your competence.
• Perceived Threat: You believe a mistake poses a deep danger to your career or reputation.
• The Cycle of Control: Trying to suppress thoughts creates "brain chaos" that worsens the freeze.
How do I unfreeze?
If you find your mind going blank, you can use the Little School of Fish READ method to reset your system:
1. Remember: Recall the core values that give you courage. Remind yourself why this speech matters to you.
2. Engage: Focus entirely on the task at hand. Immerse yourself in the act of speaking rather than your fear.
3. Accept: Allow the anxiety to exist. Do not judge yourself for feeling nervous. Treat anxiety like an uninvited party guest you simply tolerate.
4. Detach: By engaging and accepting, you naturally detach from the fear. You do not force this. It is the fruit of your mindful efforts.
How can I accept the discomfort?
Accepting discomfort of performance anxiety is counterintuitive. However, it's the key to release.
• Shift your self-talk. Replace the word "but" with "and." Instead of saying "I want to do well but I am nervous," say "I want to do well and I am nervous." This acknowledges that success and anxiety can coexist.
• Be the Monk. Recall the story of the monk and the strawberry. Even surrounded by tigers (threats), he focused fully on the sweetness of the strawberry (the present moment). Focus on your words, not the danger.
• Breathe through it. If you freeze, pause. Focus on your breath for a few seconds. This anchors you in the present and calms the amygdala.
Recent Posts
Formal presentations, online meetings, live Q&As, social events, and any other time you speak in front of others. Engage the room with greater ease and authenticity.
Editions
