Nervousness is common

- It's okay to have butterflies when we speak in public,…as long as they're flying in formation.…Being a wee bit nervous is normal.…Some of us, though, experience…more than a wee bit of nervousness.…When people tell me they get nervous speaking up…in meetings, or delivering presentations and speeches.…I understand it completely.…I get nervous too.…In fact, people find this hard to believe,…but, when I was a TV news anchor and radio host,…I actually experienced panic attacks live on the air.…

The first time was when I quickly ran from the newsroom…to the studio because I was on the air…in a matter of seconds, and I rushed to the chair,…and I put on my microphone,…and then, just as I was about to start speaking,…I couldn't catch my breath.…I tried to speak, nothing came out,…my heart was racing.…It felt like I was in the movie, Jaws,…and a shark had grabbed me.…I managed to squeeze a few words out, haltingly,…swallowing a lot, unable to catch my breath.…It was very upsetting,…and not to mention embarrassing as well.…