I Froze During My Toastmasters Icebreaker -- Why Unmuted: Speak to Lead Exists

Confidence Comes After You Speak (The Truth About Public Speaking Fear)

Confidence doesn’t come before you speak. It comes because you speak. In this episode of Unmuted: Speak to Lead, John Katsavos sits down with Ajay Kuruvila for an honest, grounded conversation about the real journey behind public speaking — the fear, hesitation, self-doubt, and internal resistance most people never talk about. Ajay shares how he started speaking before he felt confident, what Toastmasters taught him about fear and growth, and how small, intentional steps helped him build confidence over time. From icebreaker speeches and table topics to movement, vocal variety, and mindset shifts, this conversation breaks down what it actually takes to find your voice. This episode is for you if: * You want to speak but don’t feel “ready yet” * You’re waiting for confidence before taking action * You struggle with fear of public speaking or being seen * You want to become a better communicator or leader * You’re learning that leadership starts with using your voice This isn’t about polished performances or instant confidence. It’s about stepping into fear — and speaking anyway. 🎙️ New episodes of Unmuted: Speak to Lead every week

I Froze During My Toastmasters Icebreaker -- Why Unmuted: Speak to Lead Exists

Most people think public speaking confidence comes naturally. It doesn’t. In this very first episode of Unmuted: Speak to Lead, I share the real moment that forced me to confront my fear of speaking — freezing during a six-minute Toastmasters icebreaker in front of more than 20 people. I didn’t bomb the speech. People actually liked it. But I read the entire thing from my notes because my nerves took over. And that moment made one thing clear: 👉 If I wanted to grow as a leader, a communicator, and a speaker — I had to stop hiding behind a microphone and start doing the real work. This episode explains: * Why Unmuted: Speak to Lead exists * Who this podcast is really for * What you’ll get from future episodes * How public speaking fear actually shows up (even for podcasters and professionals) * What to expect from this show moving forward * When new episodes are released If you’ve ever: * Frozen while speaking * Read directly from your notes * Felt confident on camera but nervous in front of people * Left a meeting thinking “I should have said that better” This podcast is for you. 🎙️ New episodes drop every Monday at 6:00 AM Eastern 📩 Join the Rebel Intel newsletter for behind-the-scenes updates, speaker resources, and early access to guests (link in description). This is Unmuted. This is Speak to Lead. And this is where we stop playing small.