Ask Robert Summa

Why do I freeze up when I speak in front of people?

Freezing happens when your brain’s amygdala falsely senses danger and triggers the fight-flight-freeze response. That’s why your heart races, your voice locks up, and your mind goes blank — even if you know your material cold.
This isn’t a confidence issue — it’s a misfiring fear loop in your brain. I help professionals fully shut that loop off in just 3–4 weeks using a proven method with a 99.2% success rate — no exposure therapy, no medication.

Can beta blockers fix public speaking anxiety?

In short - no. Beta blockers can reduce just one of the 20+ physical symptoms of adrenaline only, like a racing heart.  But they don’t stop the powerful anxiety of days or weeks of dread, panicky feelings, high anxiety or the psychological impact of a full blown phobia.

9 of every 10 clients I helped tried them with disaapointment as the magical pill as advertised. Most of my clients say they still feel dread, fogginess, or panic leading up to the event and during.

That’s because beta blockers don’t retrain the brain’s fear response — they just barely dull the surface. I help people fix the actual root cause permanently, using a drug-free method with a 99.2% success rate.

Why didn’t Toastmasters help my speaking anxiety?

Toastmasters can help with speaking skills, but not with speaking phobia. If your fear is severe — like panic, dread, or feeling trapped — traditional exposure approaches can actually make it worse. Ivy league university researchers show 9-35x worse in many studies.

Over 80% of my clients said Toastmasters increased their anxiety. That’s because it pushes you into the fear without fixing the fear circuit. I use the opposite: a paradoxical method based on neuroscience that turns fear off instead of pushing through it.

What’s the fastest way to overcome fear of public speaking?

The fastest way to overcome public speaking fear is to stop treating the symptoms — and fix the brain’s fear loop directly. Most people don’t realize this fear is a specific phobia, not a personality trait.
My proprietary 21-day protocol targets the neurological misfire that causes dread, panic, and adrenaline surges. Clients often feel a major shift in just 1 week — with full relief in 3–4 sessions.

I have a huge presentation coming up. Can I get help fast?

Yes — I work with professionals who have urgent, high-stakes events like board updates, investor meetings, or keynotes just weeks away.

You don’t need months of therapy or endless practice.

My VIP Fast Track coaching is built for situations exactly like this. It’s a private, accelerated solution designed to calm the fear circuit quickly so you perform with clarity, confidence, and control — even under pressure.