Under Pressure: Breathwork for Presence & Performance
Breathwork for presence
This is not yoga, and certainly not meditation. This is professional performer-grade breathwork - the foundation of vocal power, mental clarity, and physical calm under pressure. In this short, guided session, participants learn the breathing techniques used by…
Body Scan & Body Awareness
Breathwork
Communication Skills Practice
Nervous System Regulation Practice
Public Speaking
Vocal Training
Workshop
Description
This is not yoga, and certainly not meditation. This is professional performer-grade breathwork - the foundation of vocal power, mental clarity, and physical calm under pressure.
In this short, guided session, participants learn the breathing techniques used by professional actors and elite performers to manage adrenaline, project confidence, and stay present in high-stakes moments.
Participants will leave with a simple, repeatable practice they can use before their next presentation, negotiation, or difficult conversation. A perfect energiser or reset within a broader session day.
What Makes This Unique
This session is grounded in established voice pedagogy (Patsy Rodenburg, Cicely Berry, Kristin Linklater and Arthur Lessac) and adapted from training used at Bell Shakespeare and NIDA.
Participants will feel calmer, understand the mechanics of breathing, and learn why breath is the foundation of vocal authority and how to use it strategically.
Benefits
- Provides an immediate physical tool for managing stress and nerves
- Bridges wellbeing and performance through functional learning
- Works as a standalone session or a powerful complement to other workshops
- Improves vocal ability, mental clarity, and the ability to think clearly under pressure
- Gives participants a simple daily practice that supports long-term resilience
- Accessible for all fitness levels and abilities
Hosted by Jack Starkey-Gill
About the Host
Jack is Voice Director at Bell Shakespeare, Australia’s national theatre company, a professional speaker, and founding director of JSG Voice, a specialist consultancy bringing elite performance training into the corporate world.
With a Master of Fine Arts in Voice from NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) and a professional background that spans both the boardroom – including roles at JWT and Hill+Knowlton Strategies – and the stage, Jack bridges two worlds that rarely meet. He translates the techniques that help actors command a theatre into practical tools that help leaders command a room.
His sessions draw on conservatoire-level voice training of breath, resonance, posture and presence to create immediate, tangible and strategic shifts in how people communicate under pressure.
Jack has coached C-suite executives, senior leadership teams, and professional performers alike, and brings a uniquely physical, experiential approach to communication development that participants remember long after the session ends.
Travel Locations
Sydney (home base, no additional cost). Melbourne (+$300 AUD). Brisbane, Canberra (+$400 AUD). Perth (+$600 AUD). Europe – available by arrangement during planned travel periods (next availability: mid-2026). Additional travel costs to be quoted per engagement.
Certifications & Credentials
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Victorian College of the Arts), Master of Fine Arts in Voice (National Institute of Dramatic Art), Member of Professional Speakers Australia.
Client Requirements
A screen is preferable so that I can use slides, but this is not necessary if none can be provided. Microphone is preferred for large spaces.
Focus Areas
Creative/CultureWell-being/HealthDevelopment/Coaching
Location
Newtown
Languages
English
Corporate Experience
Significant
Session Types Offered
Interactive (eg. improv, group-art, yoga etc.)
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Interactive
Past Clients
Bayer, Paper+Spark, SBS Radio, Bell Shakespeare, NIDA.
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