Public Speaking Panic: 5 Times I Forgot My Own Name

Public speaking panic is real—and I’ve lived through it five times. That moment when you're standing in front of a crowd, the spotlight glaring, and your mind goes blank. Not just blank like you forgot your lines, but blank like you forgot your own name. If you suffer from stage fright or fear of public speaking, this story might sound all too familiar.

Let me take you through the five unforgettable (ironically) times I literally forgot who I was on stage—and how I’ve started overcoming that fear.

1. The Middle School Debacle

It all began in 8th grade, during a school debate. I stood up, index cards trembling in my sweaty hands, and said, “Hi, my name is…” And nothing. Total silence. I looked out at my classmates, and the sea of faces made my heart pound louder than my voice.

I ended up stammering, “I forgot,” and sitting down. Laughter followed. That was my first real encounter with public speaking anxiety, and it left a deep scar. From that day, I dreaded every single time I had to speak publicly.

2. The College Orientation Icebreaker

Fast forward to freshman year in college. We were in a circle of 20 students, doing a simple “name, hometown, and one fun fact” intro. Easy, right? Wrong.

When it was my turn, I opened my mouth to say my name, and my brain decided it was time to take a coffee break. “I’m…” long pause “…um…” I felt the sweat return. Someone kindly whispered, “Your name?” and I blurted out, “Rachel!” (My name isn’t Rachel.)

It sounds funny now, but it was mortifying. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just nerves—this was speaking panic disorder rearing its ugly head.

3. The Work Presentation Meltdown

A few years later, I landed a job that required occasional presentations. I thought I’d grown out of my stage fright, but nope. During my first team meeting, I stood up to deliver a simple pitch. But when I introduced myself to the team, my mind blanked again.

“I’m… uh…” I looked at my name tag. “Sorry. Nerves.” My manager smiled, but I could tell he was concerned. I’d let anxiety win—again. That night, I Googled “how to overcome public speaking fear” and started reading everything I could find.

4. The Wedding Speech Slip-Up

My sister’s wedding. I was the maid of honor. I had a beautifully written speech, rehearsed it 50 times. But the second I stepped up to the mic, the panic set in. My hands trembled, my throat tightened, and when I tried to start, I forgot my opening line. Which included my name.

Everyone was kind, and my sister gave me a reassuring smile. But that moment confirmed it: I needed to seriously work on my public speaking confidence.

5. The Live Podcast Fumble

Just last year, I was invited on a small podcast about overcoming anxiety (ironically). We went live, and the host opened with, “Welcome, tell us who you are!”

I opened my mouth, and... you guessed it. “I’m… um… sorry, I’m blanking.” The host was kind and helped me through it, but I was beyond embarrassed. This time, though, I didn’t spiral. I used it as motivation.

How I’m Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

These five moments were painful, but they were also pivotal. I realized public speaking fear wasn’t going away on its own. Here’s what’s helped me turn things around:

Practice with small groups: Speaking in front of just 2–3 trusted friends helped build my comfort gradually.

Breathing techniques: Deep, controlled breaths before speaking calm my nervous system.

Visualization: Imagining a successful performance rewires my brain for confidence.

Toastmasters: Joining a local chapter gave me structured practice in a supportive environment.

Affirmations: Repeating “I am calm, I am clear, I know what I’m doing” rewires negative thoughts.

Now, I speak publicly at least once a month—not without nerves, but with confidence I never had before. I haven’t blanked on my name since.

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