First hand accounts of people just like you, who were able to progress from terrified to confident with a consistent effort in manageable steps.
My perceptions of my skills is really starting to change for the better with each interaction, albeit with some minor setbacks along the way . I am focusing on the positives by managing my expectations of myself. I am really seeing results since I've started your class during the beginning of this year. Thank you for all your guidance.
F. Yi December 20, 2011
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My presentation went pretty well. I felt very calm and pretty confident, and I was not reading from the paper!
Thank you.
Olga Zadin - December 13, 2011
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Made it through with flying colors! Thx so much.... Next up, the Rachel Ray Show!
B. Reyes November 11, 2011
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I cannot thank you enough for working with me to establish a base of comfort in public speaking. Grad school is more or less all public speaking! I am teaching the two classes and actually had to do a 15-minute research presentation today that went pretty well. It's getting easier and easier (of course, with the expected set-backs here and there). I have a tiny notebook with the tips from your handbook that I review every AM before classes. Wishing you all the best. Thank you a million again.
Sara Rabinov – November 8, 2011
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I just wanted to thank you for the group sessions. I have noticed a remarkable improvement in college. I’ve joined three clubs and got a part time job as caller. The calling job was a challenge because I’ve got to cold call people and ask them for donations but it certainly took my phone anxiety down a notch. Without your group sessions I may very well have been exactly where I was last year. So thank you again for all the help.
J. Sinclare – October 11, 2011
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The group presentation/discussion went really well!!! I'm very happy! My teacher said we did a great job! Thanks a lot!!! I'll see u soon.
K. Jimenez - September 28, 2011
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Just had 3 different presentations in one day to audiences of over 200 people that went great. Main difference versus the past was I had an excited anticipation versus a nervous anticipation. Used a lot of what you taught me.
H. Scott - September 27, 2011
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Charles, last night I read my work to a room packed of writers and editors. I felt fine and when I was done, everyone told me they loved it.
I'm sure you know how amazing it feels to overcome this thing after so long. Before I took your class, I would have refused to even try, but now I know I can do it. Thank you!
AS - July 31, 2011
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I've been telling everyone about what a life changer the class is for me. i feel like you're the only one who "gets it", i can't tell you how grateful i am to have found your class.
Jessica Slawson - July 27, 2011
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I wanted to thank you for doing an amazing job at running the classes
and really making me feel welcome and comfortable.
Two years ago the thought of being in an acting class overwhelmed me
so much that I couldn’t even enter the building where the classes took
place. Taking your classes showed me how far I’ve come in getting my
anxiety under control.
Thank god in your classes I was surrounded by positive people because
this positive experience has encourage me to continue taking acting
classes in the future when my work schedule is in order. Keep up the
good work and thank you for helping me get one step closer to feeling
confident when speaking and performing in front of others.
Alesha Thomas May 24, 2011
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Hey! So I gave a speech to about 150 people at my wedding party this past weekend and it went so very well. People were actually coming up afterward to say how good it was. Who would have thought?! Thank you- so happy with the progress I've made over the past year- you're great at what you do.
K. Shayna 05-10-11
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I gave my best man speech at the wedding and it couldn't have gone better. People were actually walking up to me following it and telling me how great of a job I did.
Patrick Heenon 04-27-11
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Yesterday’s hair show went very well... I still have much work to do, but the anxiety level was very, very low, not even a thought.
B. Reyes 03-29-11
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By the way, you are NOT going to believe this, but I just got back from doing a Q&A session in front of 150+ people at this NYU alumni event!! I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be (though I did notice my hands shaking every time I leaned down to pick up my cup of water), and it went off very smoothly. I found myself thinking back on all of the things I've learned in this class...so THANK YOU!!
C. Lauren 04-19-11
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Charles, thank you! It means a lot! Also I want to say that I was only able to step into that opportunity because of the way I have seen myself progress in the last 3 sessions. And thanks to you, the little things you say in class are like 'Gold' - I get lot of value when you reiterate each class that you're not here to impress anyone or give a scintillating performance, or make anyone laugh! And that it's totally ok to be anxious, and to take little manageable steps. It's extremely reinforcing each class I hear you say that, and so even though I maybe a bit anxious at times it gives me' the courage to easily speak with large groups of people.
Thank you again!
D Raj 03/10/11
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Hi Charles,
I just wanted to say thank you for suggesting the I attend the Tuesday meeting. I really think it was helpful. The presentation went well(ish). I didn't fall on my face, vomit, or faint. I was certainly nervous but tried to take deep breaths and focus on the material. I think that helped. Thanks again.
S. Ramos 02/22/11
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Charles, thanks for your encouragement last week for the two 'reception/thank you speeches' I had to do...it all went fine. There was a connection with the audience, folks seemed to react to it in a sympathetic way, and even got a few laughs.
Dee B. 01-31-11
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The wedding was a blast and my best man's speech went better than I could have ever imagined! I couldn't have done it without you and the wonderful support of the group...many thanks for your advice & teachings over the years.
Cliff Stiener 12-22-10
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I gave my speech today in front of 700 people and I nailed it. I can't thank you enough. Never could have done it without going to your classes.
Dick Concannon 12-04-10
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Wanted to give you an update on my presentation today. It went really well and I took your advice of really selling the information to the audience. I just felt really comfortable up there, because of all the repeated exposures during class! This class has helped me tremendously!
K. Lauren 11-23-10
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Deciding to face the issue was a difficult decision but a life changing experience. My fears went right down to my stomach and many sleepless nights. During the past couple years I have surprised myself as I have given many Compliance presentations to groups as large as 60 (A big step as a group of three seemed impossible.) Thank you for all your support you have provided me. I hope the program is still giving you the same satisfaction.
T. Timothy 10-20-10
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Charles,
Thanks for your help and guidance. My presentation went really well and I could not have done it without you. I am actually looking forward to my next presentation.
All the best,
Shlomo Nosco 10-12-10
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With all the preparation and a couple of practice runs that morning I felt absolutely no anxiety on the run up to delivering my best man’s speech to 200 folks. It went off without a hitch and the compliments flowed. Even the other speakers said that I had shown them up. Quite amazing. Thank you. All the hard work paid off. I could not have done it and been able to enjoy the evening so much without the classes and your help. Now lets take it to the next level.
All the best,
Will Watson 07-13-10
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Hi Charles - my meeting this morning went really well. I was very anxious all morning but once I started speaking I was totally fine. Thank you for your help getting me through this one!
M. Diana 08-05-10
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I DID IT ... with flying colors!!!!! My ikebana demonstration (5 arrangements) took place Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30PM in front of an audience of 65 people. Thank you so much for all your support. I owe you so much!!! I even smiled during the demo!
Ann Lise 08-01-10
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Hey, Charles,
While doing this psychiatry elective in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I volunteered to do a "Lunch and Learn" presentation to a group of psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers. Volunteering to do a presentation on my volition is something I would have never done before your class....presentations were typically something done under extreme necessity. I prepared a power point presentation on "Commonly Abused Legal Substances" given to a room of about 17 health professionals....(a tough crowd to impress when doing medical presentations)...and I nailed it. It went great. All the skills I learned in your class were second nature, and it all just clicked. Thanks for all your help in my ongoing journey towards becoming a better public speaker.
Roshan Hegde 07-25-10
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Charles,
I've been meaning to tell you that the Best Man speech went very well and I thoroughly enjoyed the wedding! Thank you for your help and I am glad I am taking the course.
K.Brit 07-20-10
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I'm now on the lecture circuit NY, Boston and Toronto (yesterday) so far. All went well.
G. Carles 06-28-10
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I went to psychiatrists, hypno-therapists, as well as other group therapies and none of them had an effective approach to dealing with anxiety and public speaking. When I started the group sessions with your classes, I experienced lasting changes in my perception and ability to interact with other people comfortably in group settings. It was the whole process of gradual exposure that put me at ease and softened my anxieties a great deal. I am forever grateful that I have stumbled upon these classes and owe great thanks to you Charles. Your patience, kindness, and concern have also made the classes an enjoyable experience and it was always a pleasure to be there
Shar Ram
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The task ahead seemed insurmountable. I am a 23 year
old graduate student who was to teach English 220 to a group of
30 undergraduate students. This would require intelligence,
poise, the ability to speak in public, and a brand-new wardrobe.
I was horrified. I enrolled in the workshop, hoping to cure my
paralyzing fear of public speaking. As the time drew closer, I
enjoyed daily panic attacks and hard-core insomnia. I practiced
in four different groups, and though, when I went in for my first
class, I was trembling with trepidation, the experience that I
had gained from groups sustained me and I survived. I write this
now in my brand-new office, a few hours after my third
class.
The workshop may not make public speaking easy, but it makes it
possible.
Marina Robinovich
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I'd like to thank you for all that you have done for
me up this point in our class. I never thought I would be able to
speak in front of a group again, and with your compassionate
guidance, I am gaining confidence in my ability to do just that.
It was a wonderful practice for me last night on so many levels.
In particular, waiting until the end to take my turn. It's
amazing how the things we think are so challenging, are just what
the doctor ordered.
Maureen Munroe
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It started like an airplane...shaky at first
rumbling down the runway (for about a minute) as I worked to gain
composure. During the first minute, I wasn't sure if I would
crash or fly until I got just a little air under my tires and
lifted of the ground just ever so slightly. Once I realized I was
within grasp of control (a few more minutes of talking), the
anxiety began to fade as I realized I knew the material well due
to practicing. As the anxiety began to lift, I actually took off,
soared and enjoyed myself. It was the presentation I always
wanted to give!! Thank you Charles!!!!!
Greg Roberts
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Hi Charles - My best man speech on Sunday went over
really well. I'll fill you in on all the details at the next
session. Thanks for all your help!
Frank Gregory
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By the way, I gave my presentation at work Friday
and it went great. I spoke to a room full of about 25 people and
wasn't nervous at all! I couldn't have even imagined doing that a
year ago. My boss told me twice that I did a great job. You have
worked a miracle -- thanks so much.
D. A.