One Teen Beats Public Speaking Anxiety, Thanks to AI
He named his anxiety Ryan, then used ChatGPT to shut him up
“I want to be able to speak confidently, but every time I stand up in front of people, my anxiety takes over.”
That’s how Carlos opened one of our recent sessions. A 15-year-old student living in Central America, he had a few weeks before traveling to New York City for the Model UN mock trials. It would be his first time meeting his classmates and teachers in person after years of attending online school.
“What do you think it will feel like to give the speech?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “But it’s my first time doing something like this.”
We sat with that uncertainty together. He was heading nearly 4,000 miles away to stand in front of a podium to deliver a speech, in English, in front of a global panel.
Preparing for the Podium
We’ve worked together for a few years now, and Carlos has consistently shown up ready to grow. As a student and athlete, he’s developed solid learning habits and tools like checklists, reflection prompts, feedback logs that he uses beyond our weekly sessions. But this was new.
“How do you want to prepare for your speech?” I asked during that session.
“I need to practice as much as I can. I have 14 days until I’m there in person,” he said, resting his head in his hands.
“How many times a day feels right to you?”
“At least three,” he replied, “but we’re still finalizing our parts, and I’m waiting for my partner…”
His voice trailed off, but then he sat up straighter.
“But we don’t need to wait for him,” he said. “We can start.”
We used ChatGPT to generate mock trial speeches on completely different topics, so the content wouldn’t overlap and confuse him. He read them aloud. I modeled tone, pacing, and inflection. We talked through what makes a statement persuasive and believable.
Each session leading up to the trip became focused and energized. Carlos practiced on his own between our check-ins, gradually finding his rhythm and voice.
Still, doubts crept in, especially on days he couldn’t stick to his goal of practicing three times a day. When he missed a session or felt off-beat, those nervous feelings would resurface. That’s when he told me the anxiety started to sneak back in.
The Big Day
On the morning of his speech, I eagerly awaited for an update from his mom. She sent over a video: Carlos, calm and composed, standing at the microphone, delivering his speech with poise. I got to see him in his fitted suit, he looked so sharp and so grown up. Proud coach moment.
Mom also shared:
He nailed it.
Later that week, he returned home, and sent an update.
Then he joined our Monday session.
“FINALLY. Four 4s is like the equivalent of straight As,” he beamed.
I smiled. “How did it feel?”
We debriefed the event, his performance, and the unexpected moments. Initially he hadn’t planned to go to the social event afterwards, but ended up having a great time.
“I definitely improved my confidence,” he said. “I was surprised that a lot of delegates didn’t speak at all. Some left early. Now I know what I need to keep working on. I’m ready to practice more.”
Naming the Anxiety
I asked, “Have you ever heard of Toastmasters?”
“No, what’s that?”
I told him about a global community of public speakers who practice storytelling and speeches. I also shared a memory of hearing a surprisingly impactful Toastmasters talk about a washing machine. It was the passion and simplicity that made it unforgettable.
Then I asked if he’d ever tried Mad Libs.
“Nope.”
“Let’s try making a Mad Libs-style speech with GPT.”
We created a fill-in-the-blank speech where Carlos could insert his own ideas, tone, and rhythm. He practiced reading it aloud, making real-time edits and noting which parts needed more clarity. He heard his own voice becoming stronger.
He was so excited with the final product that he shared this is exactly what he would want to share with other people. With just 19 minutes left, he created his Substack and published his first piece.
He titled it Kicking Ryan Out.
In it, he writes:
Insecurities are like big moths that appear in your room. You open the window so It flies out, but it stays in and you are too scared to touch it, but in reality you are way bigger than it, and it does not know you are there.
He named his anxiety “Ryan” and described how Ryan would show up uninvited, flooding his head with worries. But instead of letting that voice control his decisions, Carlos kicked Ryan out. And he practiced. Over and over.
“The first time, I sounded like an amateur TED Talk. But I kept practicing… I got the hang of it and started to feel more confident in my words.”
His reflection captures a powerful truth: confidence isn’t something you’re handed—it’s something you build, one rep at a time.
From Learner to Leader
Carlos is now preparing to mentor and coach students attending the next Model UN session. From uncertainty and anxiety to published writer and future coach, he’s transformed how he sees himself and how others see him too.
Read Carlos’s (
) full piece on Substack: Kicking Ryan OutAnd learn how to turn nerves into growth, one speech at a time.
Learning Updates:
🐣 Spent Easter weekend at the beach—seaside and windy days were refreshing, though I realized I'm not quite ready to live far from the city and easy access.
✍️ I’ve been turning this one over in my mind for a while—and now it’s out in the world. My latest piece just went live on Every. Read it here.
🧑💻I love partnering with
. Here’s a recent Forbes piece from MacKenzie on a topic I’m really passionate about — the role of AI in learning. Check it out here.🤖Upgraded to ChatGPT Pro and it’s been quite incredible to help build out new learning projects within multiple brands.
💡I’ve been thinking a lot about self-directed learning and AI. Would love to hear your thoughts—how are you seeing this intersection show up in your world?
Thanks to
for your support in writing this (and every!) piece.
Inspiring story for all kids around the world!
Loved this story so much. Made me think differently about anxiety and the idea of practicing like it's a gym session. Thank you for sharing it all.