The Body Sets the Voice

Your voice is an output of your posture. Slouched shoulders fold the diaphragm, and a squeezed diaphragm produces the thin, rushed sound listeners hear as nervous.

Stand tall, plant your feet, let your shoulders drop back. With room to breathe, the voice that comes out is noticeably steadier — same words, more authority.

The fix works sitting, too: feet flat, back against the chair, chin slightly up. Your voice often steadies within a breath, because the diaphragm has more room to move.