Quote · The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Fixing AI's Branding Problem + Advice for Anxious Public Speakers
Where this was said
Q2: Beating Stage Fright — Galloway's Hard-Won Tips
At 14:48 · chapter starts 11:40
Boulder Maker's question opens a surprisingly candid chapter. Galloway, widely regarded as one of the more commanding speakers in the business world, admits he has experienced real panic attacks on stage — including one at DLD 2015 where he thought he was having a heart attack, and another where he was swallowing hard to avoid throwing up as Bill Maher's panel set rushed toward him [1] — Scott Galloway "At DLD 2015, Scott Galloway thought he was having a heart attack. He wasn't — it was a panic attack. He's had them before Bill Maher, befor…" 12:45 . His advice is structured and practical: prepare thoroughly so the slides guide you and confidence builds; imagine one friend in the front row; remember that even a visible panic attack barely registers with an audience before they return to thinking about themselves. He discusses beta blockers as a legitimate medical option, acknowledges that a beer before speaking has helped him 'a couple of times,' and flags jet lag as an underappreciated panic trigger — recommending speakers arrive a day early for major events [2] — Scott Galloway "Preparation absorbs anxiety. Imagining one friend in the front row keeps you grounded. Jet lag is a hidden panic trigger — get there a day …" 13:40 . He closes with the durability argument: he speaks 40–50 times a year now, and the panic attacks get rarer every year. The cure, ultimately, is repetition.
At DLD 2015, Scott Galloway thought he was having a heart attack. He wasn't — it was a panic attack. He's had them before Bill Maher, before major conferences. His conclusion: everyone is nervous, nobody in the audience really cares, and repetition is the only cure.
Preparation absorbs anxiety. Imagining one friend in the front row keeps you grounded. Jet lag is a hidden panic trigger — get there a day early. Morning workouts and sunlight help. Beta blockers are an option. Even a beer has worked in a pinch.
Scott Galloway speaks roughly 40–50 times a year in front of crowds ranging from a board of directors to 10,000 people.
After analyzing his own data, Galloway found he has a public-speaking panic attack roughly once every two to three years, often triggered by jet lag.
