You have something worth saying.
An idea in the meeting. A pitch for funding. A story at dinner. A wedding speech you only get to give once.
Get out of yourown way.Find your voice.
Whether you freeze under pressure, struggle to get to the point, or already speak well but want more presence and personality, I’ll help you express yourself with ease and authenticity, and rewire your speaking confidence.
A few minutes to explore your speaking strengths and what to work on next.
Hi, I’m Alistair, a speaking coach.
Speak up the way you want to, when it matters most.
But it doesn't come out the way it sounds in your head.
Sometimes it’s nerves. Sometimes it’s habit: the over-prepared script, the safe version of you. Either way, you can change it.
With the right practice, speaking starts to feel like you.
You contribute without overthinking it. Your stories land. You stop scripting every word and connect more.
Trust yourself when it counts.
In meetings.
Say it the first time, without rehearsing it in your head.
In presentations.
Hold the room, not just get through the slides.
In pitches.
Make the case and sound like you believe it.
At weddings and occasions.
Funny, warm, and remembered for the right reasons.
In difficult conversations.
Stay clear and kind when it gets uncomfortable.
When you're already good.
Storytelling, presence and spontaneity, the next level up.
Great speaking is about more than just technique.
It takes three things. Each one helps on its own; together, they’re what makes it stick.
Skills
Storytelling, presence, structure and spontaneity, through exercises that get you out of your head and help you enjoy being seen.
Psychology
My coaching takes a CBT-informed approach, working on what's underneath, not just the surface habits.
Practice
Short, guided sessions in Speak Up, my own app, so you keep improving between our calls.
“I actually thought I was a good public speaker… Now my rhythm is better, my stories land more, I don’t rush, and I don’t speak from a script — I speak from connection.”
“What surprised me most is how far beyond speaking this went. Alistair helped me see a bigger pattern in my life: over-preparing to avoid mistakes. That insight opened me up to new experiences, and honestly changed my life.”
Tom, on what changed
A bit about me
I was the quiet kid (I still hate admitting that) who dreaded speaking up, from giving a speech to introducing myself or ordering a coffee. I even secretly quit my first online speaking lesson halfway through.
What changed things was practical training, plus understanding why being seen felt like such a big deal in the first place. My brain was predicting catastrophe whenever I opened my mouth!
That’s what my coaching combines now: Ultraspeaking-style drills, counselling-skills training, and an approach informed by memory reconsolidation research and CBT ideas about how the nervous system responds under pressure.
I’m a certified Ultraspeaking coach. Their method is built on speaking games and practice rather than theory, which is the backbone of the skills side of my coaching.
Ultraspeaking L1 Coach CertificationUltraspeaking · Issued Aug 2025
“You gave me personalised feedback that really helped. I actually spoke for the entire hour, which I’m not used to, and it felt great! You helped me believe more in my own skills as a speaker.”
Liudmila
Coaching client
Good morning.
Ready to practise?
This week’s drillTell a two-minute story without notes
Warm-up3 min · daily
Next sessionThursday with Alistair
Your progress doesn’t stop between sessions.
Practice is where new habits stick. In Speak Up, my own app, you get short daily warm-ups and drills built around what we’re working on, so you keep improving between our calls, and a speaking fitness score so you can see it happening.
It’s included for a year with the eight-week programme, along with courses and AI coaching to help you keep growing long after we finish.
See what’s includedEight weeks to become a more confident, compelling speaker.
Personal coaching, practical exercises and a structured way to keep improving between sessions.
- Weeks 1–3
Foundation
A self-assessment and a plan built around your goals. Then the fundamentals: staying present and composed under pressure, using pauses and breath, and letting more of your expression come through.
- Weeks 4–5
Clarity and story
Getting to the point, and telling stories that connect.
- Weeks 6–7
Fluency and authenticity
Thinking on your feet, trusting your instincts and bringing more of yourself, so speaking stops feeling like a performance.
- Week 8
Put it to work
Bringing it all together for your real, high-stakes situations, then a final self-assessment to see what's changed.
- Then
A year of practice
Speak Up keeps you improving long after our sessions finish.
“The way you stayed at ease and heard my questions inspired me to do the same — to take my time and own my speaking. This was one of the most impactful coaching sessions I’ve had.”
Evelyn Q
Coaching client
Speaking tips you need to hear
Short, practical ideas from my public speaking newsletter.
Sept 2026
The courage to stop talking
Read on Substack Aug 2026Treating Your Voice as an Instrument
Read on Substack Feb 2026Speaking Up Isn’t Just About Speaking
Read on SubstackGet new posts by email. Subscribe to my public speaking newsletter. Free, and easy to leave.
SubscribeQuestions people ask
Who is this for?
If you're here, probably you! Anyone who wants to feel more confident and comfortable when they speak, whether you're pitching for funding, presenting at work, giving a wedding speech, leading a team, or simply wanting to feel more at home in your own skin.
What makes your approach different?
I create a supportive space, then push you (gently) out of your comfort zone, because that's where growth happens. We combine Ultraspeaking's practical exercises (a method that's helped thousands of people) with a CBT-informed look at what's going on under pressure, plus the Speak Up app so you keep practising between sessions. And I started out terrified of speaking myself, so I understand the blocks, not just the techniques.
How quickly will I see results?
Most clients notice a shift in their very first session. For lasting change, we go deeper over the eight weeks, giving you time to practise, refine and embed new habits. If the coaching isn't the right approach for you after four sessions, ask within seven days of session four, before session five, and I'll refund your programme fee in full.
What if I'm extremely nervous about speaking?
Then you're in exactly the right place. We start gently, at your pace, and build confidence step by step. You'll never be thrown in unprepared. The process is supportive, playful and (surprisingly) fun.
Isn't this just who I am? Can I really change?
Yes. Speaking confidence isn't a fixed trait, it's a skill. I've seen people go from shaking hands and dry mouths to giving talks they're proud of, and actually enjoying it. It doesn't mean you stop being you. It means you can express yourself more fully, and trust yourself when it counts.
What happens in a session?
We usually jump straight into short speaking games, designed to put you under just enough pressure to learn, but not so much that it's overwhelming. Each session is tailored to your goals: a presentation, handling Q&A, speaking up in meetings, or introducing yourself in a room.
Is this therapy?
No. I'm a coach, and our focus is how you speak. My coaching draws on counselling-skills training and a CBT-informed approach, but if something bigger comes up, I'll say so and point you towards the right support.
Online or in person?
Usually online, which works wherever you are. If you're in Edinburgh, in person can be arranged when it's convenient.
What happens after the eight weeks?
You keep a full year in the Speak Up app, so practice carries on. If you want a top-up before a big moment, single sessions are always available.
I've got something big next week. Can you help?
I know the feeling! We'll do an intensive one-off session focused on your immediate need: targeted practice to help you feel ready, even if time is short. If you want to build longer-term skills afterwards, we can talk about the programme.
How do I book?
Start with a free 45-minute intro call. It's a chance to see if we're a good fit, and you'll get a taste of the method. Then you can book and pay for sessions or the programme through my calendar.
Do you work with teams?
Yes. I run interactive speaking workshops, as lunch-and-learns, half days or full days. See team workshops →
Do you work with comedians and performers?
Yes! Based in Edinburgh, I work with stand-up comedians and live performers on material, nerves, presence and recovery, whether you're prepping for the Fringe or working on a new set. See coaching for comedians →
Ready to find your voice?
Take the Speaker Quiz: in a few minutes, you’ll learn your strengths and challenges, and get your own personalised plan. Or book a free intro call and we’ll talk it through.
“Through thoughtful questions and a very human approach, I’ve got a simple plan with steps for what I can do in my situation starting immediately.”
Nailya B
Coaching client
Other things I do
- Freelancing for GoodI co-founded a community of 1,000+ freelancers working for causes they care about. I see all the time how speaking holds good people back.More about FFG
- Claude ClarityMy book on building an AI-powered productivity system with Claude. Available on Kindle.claudeclarity.com
- ConsultingWebsites, copywriting and design, plus some AI consulting, for the right projects.Get in touch
- Other projectsFreelance Radio, GBM Music (original music that led to sales and commissions) and whatever's capturing my interest.See projects