Whether you believe the statistic that more people fear public speaking than they do death (41% vs 19%) or the 2011 Gallup poll that has fear of public speaking at 41% and fear of snakes at 50%, that is still a large number of fearful people when it comes to speaking on stage!
I love to do presentations and am never fearful when I get on stage and speak in front of audiences but it wasn’t always like this. I used to have to really force myself and push through the fear, I felt terribly uncomfortable and almost breathless. I also used to hate networking events and mingling. Then I discovered that I have pyroluria (see the pyroluria questionnaire here), a genetic condition that leads to anxiety, inner tension and feeling uncomfortable in crowds. By adding a few key nutrients – zinc, vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil – my pyroluric symptoms are completely in check, hence my calm in the face of speaking in public. I speak nationally about The Antianxiety Food Solution and always joke that I am Ms Antianxiety! I also have a new-found love of networking and meeting people!
Sontine is a client of mine who made diet changes, lifestyle changes like walking and added the key nutrients like zinc and vitamin B6 (and a few others) and found she too had no more fear of public speaking – and she actually started to really enjoy it! She also started to sleep well and had good energy. She was skeptical that this was possible for her but curiosity got the better of her and she’s so pleased with the results.
Here is Sontine’s story in her own words:
The first time I heard Trudy telling her personal story about anxiety and nutrition, I thought ‘that’s a really unique situation’. I believed it worked for her but that it was ‘just one in a million…it’s not going to work for most people and it’s not going to work for me’
After working with Trudy for 3 months I’ve had amazing changes:
- From exhausted to normal healthy energy
- Anxiety has decreased
- Mood and blood sugar has stabilized
- Sleeping better
- Completely lost my fear of public speaking which has plagued me my whole life! I was so terrified I avoided it as much as possible. Now I am not nervous and I enjoy it! It’s been amazing for me!
Sontine is also a busy mom with a busy job – like many of us are – but she made time to go for an evening walk with her young daughter and husband [we recorded this in December last year, hence the reference to Christmas lights] and says that such a small thing makes all the difference in how she feels. We know how beneficial exercise is for both mood and sleep
PS. I also added GABA, removed caffeine and removed gluten from my diet. Each person is unique and you will have to find your own unique nutritional approach.
So how are you when it comes to public speaking? And what do you do to stay calm?
If you’re fearful could pyroluria also be your problem?
Do you perhaps have clients who hate and fear public speaking?
Your success stories are so inspiring, Trudy. I love that you are so expert in what you do, and the service you provide is so needed.
Thanks Sue! I just wish more people didn’t simply tolerate not feeling their absolute best!
This is such an unusual, yet important post! I loved it. I used to be mildly fearful of public speaking, but when you have a message to share, it’s important to find a way to work through the jitters. It’s a good thing you were able to do that because you’re such an engaging speaker and your message needs to be heard!
Melissa
Thanks Melissa! and likewise…I loved hearing you speak on gluten at the NANP conference!
Hi Trudy — Great article. My questions for you are: what brand of zinc do you recommend & what is the best way for its uptake? In other words, does it need to be in combination with some other nutrient? Could a person be deficient in zinc if the dietary intake includes a lot of peanuts, cocoa and pumpkin seeds or other natural food sources with higher levels of zinc?
Hi Anne
I start my clients on 30mg Optizinc by Solaray. This form seems to be very well absorbed and doesn’t have copper.
Yes, a person could be deficient in zinc if there are large amounts of copper in the foods they eat (peanuts, nuts and seeds do also contain copper) and if they eat sugar, exercise and are stressed. It’s a common deficiency. If they have pyroluria they will have a higher need for zinc and need to supplement over and above what they get from their diet. I have my clients do the pyroluria questionnaire (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/) and do the zinc taste test (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/zinc-deficiency-and-using-the-zinc-taste-test/). And we monitor their response to the supplements (zinc, vitamin B6 and Evening primrose oil in the case of pyroluria)
Trudy
I love public speaking, and I love that you shared your personal triumph over your fear, because the world needs to hear what you have to say!
Hi Trudy. I’m not afraid of public speaking so it was eye-opening to see the percentage of people who struggle with this. And how great that you managed to overcome your aversion to it because I’ve heard you speak and you are wonderful!!
Hi Mira – yes it’s quite amazing how many struggle with it, isn’t it!? I’ve heard you speak too and you are also wonderful!
Thank you for sharing your story and once again pointing toward a condition. I enjoy public speaking! Every single time I continue to be a bit nervous. It is good nervous though. It means I really care and I want to be my best and deliver every single time.
I never thought that fear of speaking could be related to diet and nutrition. What an eye opener. Thanks for sharing!
I would much rather speak to 5K people than walk into a networking event with 50. I do try to be physical before giving a talk.
I assume you mean exercise? if yes, it’s great for getting your blood flowing and raising serotonin which can help with anxiety
Awesome story Trudy and Sontine – you are too spot on that each person is unique and their nutrition should be treated individually.
Public Speaking is something that strikes fear in many people however with some simple training and understanding what makes them unique could assist them in becoming powerful presenters!
I love that – understanding what makes you unique!
Hi Trudy. Can you tell me how much vitamnin B6 is recommended daily for pyroluria?
Thanks!
Hi Simon
May I suggest you peruse the comments of this blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
There are many comments on how much B6 and zinc and the various forms
Trudy
Hi Trudy!
I teach Public Speaking classes. I talk about speaking anxiety on the 1st day of class. I can’t wait to show your post to my students! Thanks so much!!!!
Hi Kristin
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this and thank you for being willing to share this. Please do keep me posted on how well received it is.
If you ever need a guest speaker on the topic just let me know.
Trudy
Hi Trudy,
Wow, this gives me hope! I loved the video. I recently joined Toastmasters International to help me face my fears and get over my public speaking hang ups which are very severe! I have thrown up, panicked and walked out in front of people. This is not just butterflies! I received your book in the mail yesterday and am so excited to dive into it today. I’ve added GABA and noticed it makes a huge difference, I’m looking for a good multivitamin too. I eat lots of probiotic foods and am trying to get more sleep (tough when you have 3 little kids!). I have NO energy for exercise but just got my blood tested so we’ll see what the results are. The doctor kept assuring me you are young and thin you are fine, you’re healthy, if you had blood sugar issues you would walk in here looking like death…I’m sorry but I don’t agree. I don’t think that “unhealthy” has “a look”. I’m seeing that copper isn’t good for those with anxiety? I was debating on getting a copper IUD (non hormonal birth control) but maybe I shouldn’t! Thank you for all you do Trudy, you rock!
Hi Hannah
I’m so pleased this gives you hope and to hear that the GABA is helping so quickly! before you know it, your talks will be a breeze!
You may also want to consider adrenal saliva testing.
I like FAM as a birth control method – the copper can be problematic for people with high copper/low zinc (which often happens with anxiety)
I agree, many people look great and feel awful! Do keep us posted on how you’re doing ok!
Trudy
The information I am learning about pyroluria and low Vit. B/Zinc has given me much needed hope. I scored 22 out of 28 “yes” on just the most common symptoms and 11 out of 12 on the less common symptoms on the pyrolurua questionnaire. My symptoms began in elementary school and I am now 52 years old. I had Cushing’s disease in early 20’s as well. Along with anxiety I have severe chest and neck flushing that is an everyday embarrassment and exacerbates the anxiety when people ask if I am sunburned (sure…24/7…365) or if I’m ok?..Will vitamin regimen help flushing as it quells anxiety. Thank you so much.
Hi Melanie
I’m so pleased you have hope and encourage you to try the pyroluria protocol. Please let us know how it goes.
Regarding the severe chest and neck flushing I’d look into a possible reaction to high-histamine foods. I interview Yasmina on this very topic on the Anxiety summit which starts today http://www.theanxietysummit.com
Her interview airs next week
Trudy
Trudy,
I am definitely going to get tested for Pyroluria. I think this might be my missing link. But I missed it somewhere when you explained what happens if you have Pyroluria and you take copper supplements. Can you advise again or tell me where to go and find your post, please. Thank you!
Pamela
Most of my clients with pyroluria do not need copper