Ask Robert Summa
Frequently asked questions answered here!
Why do I lose confidence before high-stakes presentations, even though I know my material?
This happens because your brain’s fear center — the amygdala — doesn’t respond to logic, talent, or preparation.
In high-stakes settings, it perceives judgment or authority figures as threats and triggers the same panic loop as a survival event.
Even high performers freeze, blank out, or spiral — not because they’re weak, but because their brain’s fear loop hasn’t been retrained.
I work with senior leaders to deactivate this response fast — restoring calm, clarity, and total control under pressure.
Why do I sound confident in casual meetings but fall apart in boardrooms or investor calls?
The stakes change the chemistry. In high-authority rooms, the brain shifts from confidence to survival mode.
Even seasoned executives can experience adrenaline spikes, tight throats, dry mouth, or dissociation — often without warning.
This isn’t about content or intelligence — it’s about a hyperactive fear loop misfiring under perceived scrutiny.
I coach high-level leaders to override that loop, anchor into presence, and speak with clarity even in the most pressure-heavy rooms.
Why do I feel imposter syndrome, or loss of confidence right before I present — even though I'm a senior leader?
Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear with promotions or accolades — it often intensifies.
The more visible the role, the more the inner critic activates: “What if I freeze?” “What if they see through me?”
This is not a mindset issue — it’s a trained neurological pattern tied to high-performance anxiety.
I help senior leaders quiet that voice by building a new internal framework — one aligned with their 3.0 future-self identity — so presence replaces panic.
Why do I feel dread for days before a big speaking event, even if it’s just 10 minutes long?
This is a classic anticipatory fear loop.
The brain doesn’t distinguish between a 10-minute update and a courtroom trial — it fixates on the threat of exposure, not the content.
That’s why you may lose sleep, over-rehearse, or feel a constant sense of doom in the days leading up.
I work with executives to shut off that pre-event anxiety pattern completely — so they can sleep deeply the night before and step into the room calm, clear, and completely in command.
I have a major presentation coming up in 3 weeks. Can this actually be fixed that fast?
Yes — if you address the root.
Public speaking panic isn’t a personality flaw — it’s a miswired brain response that can be rewired quickly with the right tools.
My Fast Track private coaching was built for executives with imminent board updates, keynote addresses, or media appearances.
In just a few sessions, I can deactivate the fear response and install a high-confidence baseline so you can deliver calmly, with clarity and control — even under immense pressure.