Michael McQueen helps the world’s top brands navigate uncertainty—and tackles one of the most common fears: public speaking. In this conversation, he shares practical strategies, pre-performance routines, and mindset shifts to turn fear into flow, plus insights from his best-selling book Mindstuck on persuasion and changing stubborn minds.
Michael blends science, storytelling, and performance strategies to help anyone speak with confidence and influence.
4:00 – Fear of public speaking & TikTok tips
11:00 – Training out fear, coaching vs. speaking, standup comedy lessons
18:00 – Preparing keynotes, topic transitions & diversity in presentations
27:30 – Crafting a 15-minute showcase & managing nerves
35:10 – Pre-performance routines & vocal warmups
45:45 – Behind-the-scenes work, props, slides & audience targeting
52:30 – Using 100+ slides, bombing keynotes & tech issues
1:08:00 – Andrew’s worst presentation & small wins
1:16:30 – Following up with clients & new book insights
1:27:00 – Podcasting, changing minds & expert reflections
Connect with Michael:
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What is Performance Intelligence?
There's IQ. There's EQ. Introducing PQ. All things human performance with PQ founder, Andrew May, exploring the latest in human performance with an all-star cast of subject matter experts covering physical and psychological wellbeing, performance psychology, sport, business, entertainment, the performing arts, leadership, and science.
Learn valuable lessons that can be applied to optimising performance in your personal and professional life. Performance Intelligence applies to the way we turn up in relationships and the way we turn up at work, it applies to the way we perform in front of 10,000 people and the way we perform in front of one.