Brian Ranes

Violinist | Biologist | Pilot | After years of scrolling I’m here to make an impact | Sharing how I overcame stage fright

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

Stage fright isn't just for musicians/actors on stage.

Most people feel nervous before:

-Business presentations
-Academic presentations
-Wedding speeches
-Job interviews
-Sporting events

Almost everyone can benefit from learning to control their stage fright

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@nubesycielo I’m sorry you still feel stuck with your stage fright. If there is anything else I can do to help, don’t hesitate to send me a message

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@nubesycielo I am a big believer in therapy to help deal with underlying anxiety. If you are able, I would recommend to find a counselor that has a focus on anxiety. As a last resort, beta blocker medication will prevent the most severe symptoms. For this you’ll need to see a doctor.

[Olly Tennis 🎾 🇬🇧 @Olly_Tennis_]

🇨🇭 When Stan Wawrinka candidly revealed that he suffered a panic attack before the 2016 US Open Final Vs Novak Djokovic, and was close to retiring during the match:

"A lot of people are asking me how I was able to take the court, nonchalantly, when five minutes prior to that I had a panic attack and I was trying to hold back tears.

I tried [but] I wasn't able to.I was close to breaking point - the moment where you let it all out, physically and nervously. I really felt I was at my limit. Maybe with the heat everyone thought I was perspiring.

So, how did I do it? I'll tell you. I ‘hurt’ myself. I tried to extend rallies as much as possible - one more shot, and another - to make the legs churn and not the head. I pushed myself until I ran out of breath. Past that point the mind isn't too capable of thinking.

My legs hurt so much. I even screamed at my box, 'I can't make it. I'm dead. My legs are gone'.

I was hurting so much. I was pushing myself so hard. I was so out of breath that I finally ended up muffling those little voices in my head.”

😳🙌

Source: Sport24

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@susanpgonz @rebeccaebrown @thedanieltweets Love it!! Such a great gift. I had a chance to fly a full motion sim last year and it was epicccc

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@JTTsteve Back to back anticyclones!

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@ATRightMovies They’re all great, but Amadeus is the choice

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@chargrysolle I love this clip. Such a misunderstood part of performing and peak performance and so informative to hear from someone that performs at the highest level.

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@JoeCassandra About 40 minutes. And the job is roughly in between…commute increases a little bit.

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

It’s mid-week! Take a moment to center yourself:

1. Sit or lay down
2. Close your eyes
3. Breathe in thru nose, out thru mouth
4. Relax any muscle tension
5. Let your mind wander, your thoughts like clouds in the sky

6. Enjoy focus and clarity

7. Repeat this tomorrow

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@SueCooney_com That symptom, unchecked, feels like brain fog to many. And causes many performers to suffer from memory loss on stage. Which is why I think it’s so important to actively work on managing one’s stress response

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

The stress response is what happens when a part of your brain called the amygdala senses a threat and triggers a flood of powerful hormones in your bloodstream.

These hormones cause the usual nervous symptoms. For me: rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, cold hands, and others.

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@SueCooney_com Hi Sue!

Biological perspective: fight-or-flight uses a neural pathway that goes from awareness to action 10-times faster than our usual thought process.

Performing perspective: harnessing even a fraction of that power unlocks a level of creativity unreachable without stress

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

@NadiaEfimova3 Wow!

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

Reach out to friends, family, colleagues, or online coaches 🙋‍♂️ for that accountability. Practicing these 3 pillars for a couple of months will change your performance anxiety. There is no quick fix. For me, it is a lifelong journey, but so worth it.

Thanks for reading!

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

My path to overcoming stage fright started when I'd had enough of the usual advice failing me:

• Take a few deep breaths
• Take a beta blocker
• Imagine the audience naked

I worked with a psychologist for 12 weeks to develop these 3 methods that actually worked:

[Brian Ranes @brianranes]

3) Accountability to put yourself in situations you know will trigger your nerves

Practice is the most important piece. It's different from practicing your speech or your musical instrument. You're practicing specifically to overcome your nervousness.