[gonehome]

Yeah - I think it's a normal human experience, but there's a spectrum of intensity. It becomes a problem when it starts limiting you from doing what you want to do.

Bobby Fischer was also terrified before chess matches, Elon Musk says he's terrified of things failing all the time. I think bravery/courage it's not so much not being afraid, but being afraid and coming up with strategies to push through anyway.

For sports two tennis players come to mind too, Naomi Osaka recently but there was another earlier (I think Mardy Fish?).

I think different people feel the level of fear at different intensities though - probably a mixture of genetics and parenting. The physical symptoms are the worst part (waking up hyperventilating, etc.)

[throwawayboise]

I think people who really experience no nervousness or anxiety before doing something with a risk of failure either don't care at all, or are just bullshitters (in the Harry Frankfurt definition). It's likely that they are somewhere on the sociopathic spectrum.

[raegis]

I understand your feelings, but I disagree. The first time I stood in front of a classroom (~30 years ago) I was visibly shaking from nervousness. Over the years I've learned that everyone is human, makes mistakes, and sometimes their minds just go blank. Nowadays the only time I get anxiety over a presentation is when I'm not prepared. I think of public speaking not so much as a performance, but as an opportunity to share one or two simple ideas with the audience. Some may receive it well, and some not, but that's true with most interactions. Most nice people won't fault you for trying to be helpful.

Oh, and by the way, I'm not a sociopath :)