Before You Speak: The Pre-Game Rituals That Actually Work

Most speakers sabotage themselves before they even get on stage. Some wing it. Others over-hype themselves. Many cling to lucky charms or last-minute cramming. The result? Nerves, shaky delivery, and lost connection with the audience. In this solo episode, John shares a practical pre-game system you can actually use to get stage-ready without superstition or overthinking. You’ll learn how to:Reset your mindset in two minutes with Stoic reframing, box breathing, and a simple nerves-to-excitement shift.Prepare your body and voice with easy warm-ups (that won’t make you look ridiculous backstage).Prime your message by locking in your opening, closing, and key beats — without cramming.Avoid common pre-game mistakes that drain your energy or ramp up nerves. Whether you’re about to step on stage, record a podcast, or present to your team, these tools will help you show up calm, confident, and connected. 👉 Next time: John speaks with Joel Benge about Message Mastery and why tech leaders need to “talk good” (his words, not mine). 👉 Coming soon: A solo deep dive on the ethics of influence and the tricky line between genuine credibility and manufactured status. 🎥 For behind-the-scenes extras and visuals, subscribe to the YouTube channel: Present Influence Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Pre-Game Preparation 01:03 Personal Story: Overcoming Stage Fright 02:37 Mental Preparation Techniques 03:30 Breathing Exercises for Calmness 06:34 Vocal Warm-Ups and Physical Preparation 09:41 Effective Rehearsal Strategies 16:45 Common Pre-Game Mistakes to Avoid 21:05 Final Tips and Conclusion For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.