Produce Powerful Presentations (Collection)

45. Presentation Advice from Michael Phelps and Dara Torres: How to Control Stress under Pressure

Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and Dara Torres won three silver medals. Yet both swimmers had to deal with the inevitable butterflies (pun somewhat intended) that go along with such high-pressure events.

These champions have training resources and regimens far above and beyond the scope of any business presenter, but their stress levels are no different. All human beings experience the same adrenaline rush. Mr. Phelps and Ms. Torres have developed some simple and effective anxiety-controlling techniques that they described to the New York Times—and that every presenter can use.

Ms. Torres, who captured attention ...