Success Stories

The speech went really well (many people complimented me that it was the best of the night)! A million thanks to you both — I don't think I would've been as comfortable as I felt up there without having all the exposure I did in class. Even though I felt super anxious right before, I was calm and collected on stage and felt at ease. I could NOT have done this speech without going to class. It's been so invaluable.

I went from panicking and wanting to desperately escape the room on the first day, to teaching a class. Not only that, I got the highest score in the program. One of the most common comments was that I have a very natural, pleasing rapport with students. This would never, ever have happened without your class. I have a career because of you.

Our event was spectacular. My speech went without a hitch. Every single friend of mine commented on my massive improvement. Thank you and Charles.

I was able to say what I needed to say about the data and even get audience engagement! It was a very new experience, being able to stand there and talk, and not be afraid of all these people staring back at me.

Thank you for the wonderful work you're doing, you have helped me tremendously and I can't thank you enough... I feel much more confident in my abilities to speak in public.

I think I never get enough now of public speaking and always looking into new things. I also just signed up for storytelling classes. I even seriously started thinking about becoming an executive/leadership or life coach. I honestly think this would not be even possible without first starting your classes. I don't know where all this is going to take me, but I will always remember where I started — with you and your classes. Thank you again! Regards to Kyra!

Thank you for all your support. I definitely notice a change. One more year with these classes and I would have run for president.

Thank you for the great teaching. Thanks to you, I am presenting at my company at least twice a month, and my public speaking skill set has helped me in looking for a new career.

I wanted to let you know that a month ago I addressed ~120 people in New England!! It went very well thanks to your coaching!! Your course has been a Godsend.

Thank you very much for your kind advice and instruction as you helped me prepare for my panel discussion. The panel discussion, held at NYU, was a great success, with a better than expected turnout and a very engaged audience (it was also televised on a Greek channel). Thank you again for everything.

I gave a talk at the New York Academy of Medicine. Again, thank you and Charles for all your help. I could have never given a talk like this 6 months ago. I'll be giving another talk at the Mayo Clinic on Sunday.

The systematic approach that transforms you from a panicked, dry-throated, heart-racing, mute wanna-be public speaker into a comfortable, confident, and competent public communicator is an ABSOLUTE game changer. The hardest part is getting to the first class. After that, it is one manageable step after another.

The speech went great! I just wanted to thank you for your help and support over the past few months. I would not have been able to give the speech last night without it.

My presentation and workshop was a complete success. I feel like a whole new woman — new found confidence and ready to take on the world. I honestly couldn't have gotten here without your assistance, thank you for all that you do to support us in our process to success.

The speech went great! I just wanted to thank you for your help and support over the past few months. I would not have been able to give the speech last night without it.

My father passed away and I was asked to say a few words at the funeral. There were over 20 people in attendance. The thought of it was terrifying. When the time came I was able to stand up there and share what I wanted to. I made people laugh and cry with the stories I told. All this would not have been possible without your class. Thank you.

The beginning was a little scarier and bumpier than I'd hoped, but I recovered well in between speakers, and felt very confident by the end.

My training class in India was a huge success. I was able to speak with confidence in front of 30–40 people each time. I was invited as a guest speaker to the Women in Technology team with just 1 day's notice. I spoke for about 40 minutes to 30 young colleagues about what I learned in my career.

The speech went very well. It was wayy easier in the actual setting, but I can't tell you how much the classes helped. Thanks very much.

My wedding toast went amazingly well. Only now I am wishing it had been longer. Can you believe that? Thank you! P.S. See you in class soon.

"Davis's presence in meetings is probably one of his best assets. When Davis speaks in meetings, his voice is one of sheer confidence. He is unwavering in his words." — feedback from my mid-year assessment. I can accredit all of this to you. Thank you again!

The speech was a great success. I received many compliments, not only from family but from random guests, throughout the evening and into the next day. I appreciate all of your help in this.

I did my first speech today in a large auditorium to an audience of 43 people at my hospital about weight loss surgery. I felt so good and relaxed. It was empowering and fantastic! Six months ago I would not have done it even at gunpoint. That's when I knew I rocked that stage! :)

I am so happy I found this class, and these amazing people who constantly inspire me every week that I have the power inside to overcome my fears and face them. Anxiety is an awful feeling and it's good to know and share with people who understand that fear and see them constantly work through it and become more courageous.

For the first time I actually felt on my game. This voice and this confidence emanated out of me! I had extensive notes, but only looked at them to double-check a number or two. The preso actually became more of a conversation and for the first time I felt certain that I am improving. Thank you for helping me.

You made such a tremendous difference in my life and I can't even begin to thank you. With the tools you gave me and your guidance and patience I have been transformed into the bold person I always wanted to be. The anxiety around meeting new people and interacting with groups is completely gone and all of the walls I had put up have been torn down.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your last minute help. Presentation went really well... I appreciate all of your pointers from speaking up, to being the ALPHA in the room, down to what to eat!

I did a reading a couple weeks ago and actually enjoyed it. That wouldn't have been possible without those classes I attended. Doing lots of radio now, which I needed to get comfortable with again.

I want to let you know that the panel discussion I led back in October was a big success. Great turnout, excellent discussion, and I was able to speak and introduce everyone without a problem. Thank you Charles!

I managed to get through my med school orientation, which involved a little introduction speech in front of the entire class and a lot of icebreakers that I would have never imagined getting through before. It wasn't easy, but manageable.

I wanted to tell you that the presentation today went really good. I was not even very anxious and people said good things about the way I presented. Thank you so much for your tips. Helped a lot!

I've found the class to be highly beneficial. In the last couple of months, I've been able to facilitate and present in senior executive meetings with lower levels of anxiety than before.

I did speak on the panel — the reason I started your class — and it went pretty well. Thanks for your help getting me to that point.

I wanted to express my thanks for the public speaking classes. I can honestly say going through the classes was one of the highlights of my 2-year stay in New York and one of the most important professional development efforts I undertook. I greatly appreciate your coaching over the past year.

Thanks so much for your program. When I started, the idea of agreeing to do even the most informal, low-pressure public speaking was terrifying. You helped me get over the first big hurdle toward imagining the possibility of being able to get better. I just gave a fairly formal presentation and it went well. Thank you for your part in that process.

There were 160 people staring back at me — far more than I anticipated and by far the most demanding setting. It's hard to remember where I was 5 months ago, but being able to fight through that level of nerves is no doubt a result of my in-class training. My boss told me I did a great job — so that's a win.

I'm emailing from Cancun — my wedding speech went amazingly well. There were about 75 people. People came up to me afterwards and told me they loved the speech. Without the class and your encouragement this would not have been possible. I avoided things like this throughout my life but now I know I can do it.

The work I did in your class seems to have had long-lasting positive effects — I'm now able to get through meetings at work and the day-to-day with minimal discomfort. That is really incredible, considering how absolutely paralyzed I was by anxiety just a year ago.

Tonight I can say I've felt the most comfortable ever in your class to date. Even though there is much work to be done, I can appreciate the large amount of progress I feel I have made. Thanks again.

Charles I did it. Thanks so much for your help! My teacher said my presentation was one of the best! Thanks again!

I want to thank you for this course. I can feel a marked improvement in my communicating ability in front of a group of people already, and it has only been a few weeks since I started the program.

I am proud to tell you that since our last class, I have completed 3 presentations successfully! Thank You!

As I attended classes, my comfort level in front of the class began to grow. I used the class as a springboard to gain the confidence to volunteer myself for a new instructor position at work. While I'm still a tad nervous before each presentation, I have gotten to the point where I can comfortably present in front of a group. Thanks again!

I was at a conference where I had to speak on a panel. I felt comfortable and articulate up there because I really did use the techniques to manage my anticipatory anxiety. Thank you for all your help, Charles. I feel like I am at least back in the saddle now.

We had our annual budget meeting and I had to present to a group that included 2 presidents and several VPs. In years past I would be a mess for a month ahead of time worrying. This year I knocked it out of the ballpark. Even though it's been a while since I've been in the class, it still stays with me. I can't thank you enough for helping me regain my confidence.

I have fond memories of your classes and continue to use what you taught me. Gave a retirement toast last week and it went well. Wishing you the best in the important work you do.

I just wanted to let you know my presentation went great. It was my first presentation with other lawyers in the audience — which has always been the greatest source of anxiety for me. I had no problems at all. Your class exceeded all expectations.

My presentation went pretty well. I felt very calm and pretty confident, and I was not reading from the paper! Thank you.

Made it through with flying colors! Thx so much.... Next up, the Rachel Ray Show!

I cannot thank you enough for working with me to establish a base of comfort in public speaking. Grad school is more or less all public speaking! I am teaching two classes and it's getting easier and easier. I have a tiny notebook with the tips from your handbook that I review every morning before classes.

I've joined three clubs and got a part-time job as a caller. The calling job was a challenge because I've got to cold call people and ask them for donations, but it certainly took my phone anxiety down a notch. Without your group sessions I may very well have been exactly where I was last year.

Just had 3 different presentations in one day to audiences of over 200 people that went great. Main difference versus the past was I had an excited anticipation versus a nervous anticipation. Used a lot of what you taught me.

Last night I read my work to a room packed with writers and editors. I felt fine and when I was done, everyone told me they loved it. Before I took your class, I would have refused to even try, but now I know I can do it. Thank you!

I've been telling everyone about what a life changer the class is for me. I feel like you're the only one who "gets it." I can't tell you how grateful I am to have found your class.

Two years ago the thought of being in an acting class overwhelmed me so much that I couldn't even enter the building. Taking your classes showed me how far I've come in getting my anxiety under control. This positive experience has encouraged me to continue taking acting classes in the future. Keep up the good work!

I gave a speech to about 150 people at my wedding party this past weekend and it went so very well. People were actually coming up afterward to say how good it was. Who would have thought?! Thank you — so happy with the progress I've made over the past year.

I gave my best man speech at the wedding and it couldn't have gone better. People were actually walking up to me following it and telling me how great of a job I did.

By the way, you are NOT going to believe this, but I just got back from doing a Q&A session in front of 150+ people at an NYU alumni event!! I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be, and it went off very smoothly. I found myself thinking back on all of the things I've learned in this class... so THANK YOU!!

The little things you say in class are like 'Gold.' I get a lot of value when you reiterate each class that you're not here to impress anyone or give a scintillating performance, and that it's totally okay to be anxious and to take little manageable steps. It's extremely reinforcing each time I hear you say that. Thank you again!

I really think it was helpful. The presentation went well(ish). I didn't fall on my face, vomit, or faint. I was certainly nervous but tried to take deep breaths and focus on the material. I think that helped. Thanks again.

Thanks for your encouragement for the two reception/thank you speeches I had to do... it all went fine. There was a connection with the audience, folks seemed to react to it in a sympathetic way, and I even got a few laughs.

The wedding was a blast and my best man's speech went better than I could have ever imagined! I couldn't have done it without you and the wonderful support of the group... many thanks for your advice and teachings over the years.

I gave my speech today in front of 700 people and I nailed it. I can't thank you enough. Never could have done it without going to your classes.

Deciding to face the issue was a difficult decision but a life-changing experience. During the past couple of years I have surprised myself as I have given many Compliance presentations to groups as large as 60 — a big step when a group of three once seemed impossible. Thank you for all your support.

Thanks for your help and guidance. My presentation went really well and I could not have done it without you. I am actually looking forward to my next presentation.

With all the preparation and a couple of practice runs I felt absolutely no anxiety on the run up to delivering my best man's speech to 200 folks. It went off without a hitch and the compliments flowed. Even the other speakers said that I had shown them up. I could not have done it without the classes and your help.

My meeting this morning went really well. I was very anxious all morning but once I started speaking I was totally fine. Thank you for your help getting me through this one!

I DID IT... with flying colors!!!!! My ikebana demonstration (5 arrangements) took place in front of an audience of 65 people. Thank you so much for all your support. I owe you so much!!! I even smiled during the demo!

I volunteered to do a "Lunch and Learn" presentation to a group of psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers — a tough crowd to impress. I nailed it. It went great. All the skills I learned in your class were second nature, and it all just clicked. Thanks for all your help in my ongoing journey towards becoming a better public speaker.

I'm now on the lecture circuit — NY, Boston, and Toronto so far. All went well.

I went to psychiatrists, hypno-therapists, as well as other group therapies and none of them had an effective approach. When I started the group sessions with your classes, I experienced lasting changes in my perception and ability to interact with other people comfortably in group settings. I am forever grateful that I have stumbled upon these classes.

The workshop may not make public speaking easy, but it makes it possible. I was horrified at the thought of teaching English 220 to 30 undergraduates. I enrolled hoping to cure my paralyzing fear. Though I was trembling with trepidation when I walked into my first class, the experience I had gained from groups sustained me and I survived.

I never thought I would be able to speak in front of a group again, and with your compassionate guidance, I am gaining confidence in my ability to do just that. It's amazing how the things we think are so challenging are just what the doctor ordered.

It started like an airplane... shaky at first, rumbling down the runway. Once I realized I was within grasp of control, the anxiety began to fade. As the anxiety began to lift, I actually took off, soared, and enjoyed myself. It was the presentation I always wanted to give!! Thank you Charles!!!!!

By the way, I gave my presentation at work Friday and it went great. I spoke to a room full of about 25 people and wasn't nervous at all! I couldn't have even imagined doing that a year ago. My boss told me twice that I did a great job. You have worked a miracle — thanks so much.