Author: Dr. Cheryl Mathews

Early in my career, I had debilitating speaking anxiety and had to figure out how to overcome it. I know how painful it is—it put my career and life goals on hold for over a decade. Then I attended a public speaking phobia program that was TRANSFORMATIVE (it no longer exists). I went on to become an executive in major corporations and tech startups where I continually faced high-pressure speaking situations. In my SpeakCalmHQ program, I’ve combined my own experience with scientific research to explain why panic happens and how to get unstuck. No matter what level of anxiety you have, it is possible to get better. The thing I hear the most from clients is “you’re the first professional I’ve talked to that gets it.”

  • Systematic Desensitization for Public Speaking Anxiety: Complete Guide

    ByDr. Cheryl Mathews

    The science-backed approach to conquering public speaking anxiety through gradual, strategic exposure 🎯 Key Takeaways Goal: Build 50+ positive speaking memories to overlay past negative experiences Sweet Spot: Practice in the 4-6 anxiety range—challenging but manageable Frequency: 3-5 practice sessions per week for approximately one year Environment: Safe practice groups designed specifically for anxiety Outcome:…

  • Best Practice Groups for Public Speaking Anxiety

    ByDr. Cheryl Mathews

    Why Practice Groups Are Essential for Overcoming Speaking Anxiety If you’re struggling with public speaking anxiety, practice groups may be the most powerful tool in your recovery toolkit. But not all practice groups are created equal. For people with high-to-severe speaking anxiety, choosing the right environment can mean the difference between healing and re-traumatization. This…

  • Panic Attack While Speaking: The HEART Protocol

    ByDr. Cheryl Mathews

    You’re standing in front of the room. Your heart is pounding. Your mind goes blank. You tremble uncontrollably. You can’t catch your breath. You can’t get your point across. A sense of unreality closes in. You want to run and escape. This isn’t just nervousness—this is a full-blown panic attack during public speaking. And if…