{"id":35042,"date":"2025-09-27T22:57:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T21:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/?page_id=35042"},"modified":"2025-10-24T11:37:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T10:37:59","slug":"overcome-anxiety-around-public-speaking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/overcome-anxiety-around-public-speaking","title":{"rendered":"Overcome Anxiety around Public Speaking"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column]<div id=\"home-slider\" class=\"flexslider\" ><ul class=\"slides\"><li><div class=\"slide-image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Week6.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"slide-wrap \"><div class=\"slide-content \"><div class=\"container\"><h1 class=\"font-small\">Overcome Anxiety around Public Speaking<\/h1><p class=\"mt-25\"><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; row_bg_color=&#8221;grey-bg&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1755551958735{background-color: #F6F6F6 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1113235481&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_bg_color=&#8221;grey-bg&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1761299264046{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title center\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">Key Ideas when it comes to Anxiety around Public Speaking<\/h2><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Anxiety is Natural<\/strong>: Public speaking anxiety affects nearly everyone. It doesn\u2019t solely target those standing on stage addressing hundreds of people but has the capability to impact many aspects of our lives.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biological Understanding<\/strong>: Our responses are rooted in ancient survival mechanisms. Blame your ancestors for wanting to stay alive!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mindset Matters<\/strong>: Developing a growth mindset is crucial for overcoming speaking fears. Your abilities and confidence can be developed through learning and practice, it\u2019s not about having fixed traits, tough luck, that\u2019s that, skills can be learnt and developed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preparation is Key<\/strong>: Thorough preparation reduces anxiety and builds confidence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Practice Makes Progress<\/strong>: Fundamentally it\u2019s about doing it, regular speaking opportunities will help reduce anxiety, and the more you do it the better you\u2019ll become!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<strong>Understanding Anxiety around Public Speaking<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Public speaking is widely recognised as one of\u00a0<em>the<\/em>\u00a0most common fears. Amazingly, studies have shown that for many people the fear of speaking in public ranks even higher than the fear of death![\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758902414550{margin-top: -20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<strong>The Biological Roots of Speaking Anxiety<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our anxiety around public speaking is deeply rooted in human evolutionary history. Thousands of years ago humans lived in small groups and tribes to survive. Being ostracised or kicked out of the group meant a much greater likelihood of injury or dying. Humans created a kind of \u2018fear reflex\u2019, a form of protection for survival, and this ancient in-built mechanism is something we still possess today. In the 21st century we\u2019re less likely to face the same challenges. However, we\u2019ve retained the underlying psychological ticks e.g. anxiety when meeting new people or the worry of standing out from the crowd.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; row_bg_color=&#8221;grey-bg&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1755551958735{background-color: #F6F6F6 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1113237569&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758891482831{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-color: #EEEEEE !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758892904624{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title center\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">What does it Feel Like?<\/h2><\/div>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758902891171{margin-bottom: -30px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]People describe consistent and similar physical and physiological experiences when facing public speaking situations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visceral Physical Responses<\/strong>\u00a0include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sweaty and wet hands.<\/li>\n<li>A racing heart.<\/li>\n<li>A wavering, thin, or broken voice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Psychological Responses\u00a0<\/strong>include:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Intrusive self-talk<\/strong>\u00a0-a negative internal commentary or monologue. Involving thoughts such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>&#8220;You&#8217;re doing it wrong.&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>&#8220;You&#8217;re boring people.&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>&#8220;They can tell you&#8217;re nervous.&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Negative self-perceptions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>&#8220;Why can&#8217;t you ever look anyone in the eye?\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cYou&#8217;ve always been like this.&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cYou\u2019re adding no value.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Another projection people build anxiety around, is the\u00a0<strong>fear of going blank<\/strong>, where all preparation seems to vanish from the mind and you\u2019re standing there, in absolute horror, time has stood still, and you want the earth to swallow you up!<\/p>\n<p>These\u00a0<strong>physical responses, physiological responses, and the fear of forgetting<\/strong>\u00a0often interweave, creating a strong desire to actively avoid public speaking.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling these things now, don\u2019t worry, there are several things you can do to change this![\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; row_bg_color=&#8221;grey-bg&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1755551958735{background-color: #F6F6F6 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1113238069&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758891482831{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-color: #EEEEEE !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758892904624{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title center\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">Yes!<\/h2><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Even the most experienced speakers often have a feeling of nervousness before speaking engagements. There can be a good level of adrenaline and nerves, which help us to stay present and be engaged. We talk a little more about this on our page\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/confidence-in-public-speaking\">\u201cHow to Have Confidence in Public Speaking\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, it is important to have a realistic understanding of what\u00a0<em>\u201covercoming anxiety\u201d<\/em>\u00a0means. The goal isn\u2019t to eliminate anxiety, and that\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing, but rather reach a point of freedom where anxiety no longer prevents you from pursuing opportunities or doing things that are important to you.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1761302274973{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1761302166538{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1113237271&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title\"><h3 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">What Can You Do?<\/h3><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758904980341{margin-top: -40px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]When people experience elevated mental anxiety, they are usually worrying about three things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The demands of the situation.<\/li>\n<li>Their ability to cope with the demands.<\/li>\n<li>The consequences of not meeting those demands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We need to reappraise this with a positive state of mind:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Focus on the process not the outcome. That is, what can we control?<\/li>\n<li>Focus on a positive experience.<\/li>\n<li>Visualise success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember that \u2018pressure\u2019 or \u2018performance anxiety\u2019 isn\u2019t real. It doesn\u2019t exist outside our head.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758893007064{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">Growth Mindset<\/h2><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758892989574{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758905099694{margin-top: -40px !important;margin-bottom: -30px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]Traditional thinking suggests we&#8217;re born with fixed talents, that we\u2019re either good at something or not. However, a\u00a0<em>growth\u00a0<\/em>mindset challenges this by recognising that skills can be developed through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Learning<\/li>\n<li>Effort<\/li>\n<li>Consistent practice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758893007064{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">Psychological Strategies<\/h2><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758892989574{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758905400192{margin-top: -40px !important;margin-bottom: -30px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<strong>Key Mindset Shifts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>View each speaking opportunity as a learning experience.<\/li>\n<li>Embrace mistakes as part of the growth process.<\/li>\n<li>Recognise that improvement comes with practice and be okay with the journey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Reframe Your Perspective<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Transform your mental approach to public speaking.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise: Reframing<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Instead of:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>&#8220;I might mess up.&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0<strong>Try<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>&#8220;This is an opportunity to improve my skills.&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Instead of:\u00a0<\/strong><em>\u201cI feel so nervous about this.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><strong>Try:\u00a0<\/strong><em>\u201cI\u2019m excited to share my perspective.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Instead of:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>\u201cThey look bored.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><strong>Try:\u00a0<\/strong><em>\u201cThey\u2019re processing my ideas.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758893007064{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">Visualisation Techniques<\/h2><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758892989574{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758905852132{margin-top: -40px !important;margin-bottom: -30px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]Prepare our brain for the outcome we desire by visualising our success. A scientific study found that people stimulate the same parts of the brain during a visualisation of an action as they do when actually performing the same action. Therefore, if your visualisation is successful your actual chances of success are improved since you\u2019ve already \u2018done\u2019 it. So, by \u2018seeing\u2019 our desired future we make it much more likely!<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a great visualisation exercise to get you started:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise: Mental Success Rehearsal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1.Find a quiet space, close your eyes and take several deep breaths.<\/p>\n<p>2.Visualise the entire presentation experience:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>See yourself walking into the room confidently.<\/li>\n<li>Notice the audience, lighting, and how the space feels.<\/li>\n<li>Picture yourself delivering your key points with clarity and passion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>3.Imagine potential challenges and your successful responses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Technical issues you handle calmly.<\/li>\n<li>Difficult questions you answer thoughtfully.<\/li>\n<li>Momentary nervousness you transform into energy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>3.Experience the positive audience reactions: nodding heads, engaged expressions, and attentive postures.<\/p>\n<p>4.Feel the emotion of success and the satisfaction as you deliver your strong closing, the warm applause, and your own sense of accomplishment.<\/p>\n<p>(It\u2019s useful to visualise the successful\u00a0<em>delivery\/action<\/em>\u00a0as well as the positive\u00a0<em>feelings\/emotions<\/em>\u00a0it conjures).<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Benefit:<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0This comprehensive mental rehearsal builds confidence by combining scenario familiarity, overcoming challenges, seeing preparation played out, and success reinforcement, making the actual presentation feel like something you&#8217;ve already mastered.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758906013179{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #F6F6F6 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-color: #E3E3E3 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;]<div class=\"title center\"><h2 class=\"\"  style=\"color: #3a81f7!important\">Want help on your Public Speaking Journey?<\/h2><\/div>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758906041878{margin-bottom: -30px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Hoopla runs a brilliant, fun and comprehensive 6-week course, Speakers Club. Here you can get all the tools, techniques, and most importantly, practice to reduce anxiety and boost your confidence when public speaking. We\u2019ll focus on who you are as an individual and enhance your unique speaking voice and delivery style. You\u2019ll actively learn and grow in a supportive environment with lots of laughter. We are an improvisation company after all!<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1755551988756{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">If you\u2019d like more details on our 6-week Public Speaking Course, here\u2019s a handy link:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/public-speaking-courses-london\">Speakers Club!<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;33921&#8243; img_size=&#8221;400&#215;400&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/how-to-speak-with-authority\">Speaking with Authority Workshop<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/banishing-public-speaking-nerves\">Banishing your Public Speaking Nerves<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/presentation-skills\">Presentation Skills Masterclass<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/read\/ted-talks-the-official-ted-guide-to-public-speaking\">TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Ready to transform your public speaking?<\/em><\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/contact\"><em>Contact us today<\/em><\/a><em>\u202fto discuss how our expert teachers and coaches can help you become a more confident and compelling speaker.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1755554434910{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #F6F6F6 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=&#8221;light-testimonial&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1573824139002{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}&#8221;]<div id=\"testimonials-slider\" data-options='{\"animation\": \"slide\", \"controlNav\": true}' class=\"flexslider nav-outside \"><ul class=\"slides\"><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Thanks for the workshop. All the feedback has been extremely positive! The team loved it!<\/p><footer>PR Manager, Comedy Central<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">We walked away with communication techniques that will stick with us for a lifetime.<\/p><footer>Andrew Valencia Yan, Facebook<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">The skills you taught them will give them a real competitive edge in the market place.<\/p><footer>Wendy Maitland, Thomson Reuters<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Inspiring and hugely relevant to how we work.<\/p><footer>Torvald de Coverly Veale, Director, Boots<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">I\u2019ve used the communication skills learned at Hoopla to attract over $3m in venture capital for my start-up. And had fun doing it!<\/p><footer>Erik Abrahamsson, CEO, Digital Fineprint<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">A smash hit. The feedback has been really amazing.<\/p><footer>Natalie Broom, AMV\/BBDO<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Improv has helped me to truly listen to what my clients want, understand their problems and then effectively work with others on my team to deliver a concise and consistent message.<\/p><footer>Belton Flournoy, Director, Protiviti<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">My work is about helping clients be more creative and uncover different possibilities and develop them - which improv has really helped with.<\/p><footer>Matt Handley, PWC<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Improv has supported my listening and support work for people I represent.<\/p><footer>Rachel Cader, English and Media Studies Teacher<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Improv is a great release to just mess around while building on the communication skills, confidence and self esteem that help me in my day to day job.<\/p><footer>Amy Barstow, Veterinarian<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Really useful for building self confidence and being able to communicate better with people who I was meeting for the first time.<\/p><footer>Jared Foley, Account Director, Marlin PR<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">Improv helped me have more faith in myself, particularly in meetings with clients or senior stakeholders. I have more confidence that whatever comes out of my mouth will make sense and be of value.<\/p><footer>Kate O\/Connor, Advertising Creative<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><li><blockquote><p class=\"serif\">I think improv makes people kinder to others and themselves. It teaches you to listen, react and support and I think everyone could benefit from more of that individually and collectively.<\/p><footer>Sabrina Luisi, Fundraising<\/footer><\/blockquote><\/li><\/ul><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571918716776{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;background: #3a81f7 url(https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/CTA-Bar-Background-Dark-Gradient-4&#215;3.jpg?id=12467) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner gap=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_column_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571916518716{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;makechildwhite orange-underline&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Want to know more?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1578405800698{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;makechildwhite&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/public-speaking-courses-london\">Public speaking courses in London<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/presentation-skills\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Presentation skills workshops for your business<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3>Get in touch with us for more information and details on how to book your session.<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;floatl&#8221;]JTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJtYWlsdG8lM0FoZWxsbyU0MGhvb3BsYWJ1c2luZXNzLmNvbSUzRnN1YmplY3QlM0RIb29wbGElMjUyMEJ1c2luZXNzJTI1MjBFbnF1aXJ5JTIyJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJidG4lMjBidG4tbGlnaHQlMjBidG4td3JhcC1sZyUyMGJ0bi1wYWQlMjIlM0VFbWFpbCUyMFVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQQ==[\/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;floatl&#8221;]JTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJ0ZWwlM0ElMjAwMjAzOTE2NTA0MiUyMiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYnRuJTIwYnRuLWxpZ2h0JTIwYnRuLXBhZCUyMGJ0bi13cmFwLWxnJTIyJTNFQ2FsbCUyMFVzJTNBJTIwMDIwMyUyMDkxNjUlMjAwNDIlM0MlMkZhJTNF[\/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;floatl&#8221;]JTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmhvb3BsYWJ1c2luZXNzLmNvbSUyMiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYnRuJTIwYnRuLWxpZ2h0JTIwYnRuLXBhZCUyMGJ0bi13cmFwLWxnJTIyJTNFUmVhZCUyMG1vcmUlMjBhdCUyMG91ciUyMGRlZGljYXRlZCUyMGJ1c2luZXNzJTIwc2l0ZSUzQyUyRmElM0UlMEE=[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; row_bg_color=&#8221;grey-bg&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1755551958735{background-color: #F6F6F6 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1113235481&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_bg_color=&#8221;grey-bg&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1761299264046{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;padder&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;top-bottom-padder&#8221;] Anxiety is Natural: Public speaking anxiety affects nearly everyone. It doesn\u2019t solely target those standing on stage addressing hundreds of people but has the capability to impact many aspects of our lives.[&#8230;] <\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-15\"><a class=\"small-link upper\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hooplaimpro.com\/overcome-anxiety-around-public-speaking\"><span>Read More<\/span><i class=\"hc-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":12935,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-35042","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Overcome Anxiety around Public Speaking | Hoopla<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Confidence is a hugely powerful quality to harness when public speaking.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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