Pressure Practice: Don't Choke When It Counts

Train your brain to function under stress

Sixty seconds. That's all my friend Sara had to convince a room of investors her startup was worth millions. Her pitch was perfect in practice, but her voice shook when she told me; "I don't know if I can do this. What if I freeze?“

The real problem wasn't her pitch.

It was her practice.

She'd been rehearsing in silence. No distractions. No pressure. But that's not how high-stakes rooms work. I introduced Sara to a technique that can transform your performance in high-pressure situations: Pressure Practice.

But here's the thing. Pitching isn't just for startup founders on Shark Tank.

Every day, we're all pitching. Selling ourselves in job interviews. Convincing a client we’re the right choice. Explaining an idea to a team. Trying to get a date.

Pitching isn't a niche skill for entrepreneurs. It's a fundamental human capability that can transform how you communicate in any high-stakes moment.

Let's dive in:

The Perfect Practice Trap

Most people practice in exactly the wrong conditions.

They rehearse in quiet rooms with zero pressure. Then they wonder why they crumble when their heart's racing, palms are sweating, and every eye in the room is fixed on them.

It's like training for a marathon by running on a treadmill.

Yes, you build stamina. But you're not ready for the wind, rain, uphill terrain or weaving through crowds. You learn to run, but not to race.

How you feel during perfect practice bears zero resemblance to how you'll feel during that make-or-break moment.

The Science of Stress Response

Under pressure your brain and body functions differently.

Your body floods with cortisol and adrenaline. Your heart rate spikes. Your breathing changes. This cocktail of stress hormones is why your mouth goes dry, your hands shake, and simple words become tongue twisters.

But there's a way to make this work for you, not against you.