Presenter Tips for Stage-Ready Confidence

You walk into the studio, turn on the lights, drop your bag, and fire up the Releases app – it’s the calm before the show begins. Soon, you’ll be giving your all in front of an expectant audience – taking in every move, every cue, and all the energy you bring. It takes stamina, focus, and presence, all in real time, with no retakes.

As House Chaalane says: “There’s truly no difference between teaching a small group training session or standing in front of a thousand people at a Masterclass. The feeling in my heart is always the same: I am here for them. Their energy, their progress, their moment. That’s what drives me, no matter how many faces are in front of me.”

So how do House Chaalane and the other Presenters prepare for a stellar performance? We asked them to share their top tips so you can breeze into January’s busy classes feeling stage-sharp and ready.

Kaylah-Blayr Fitzsimons-Nu’u

Managing my energy is key so I still have plenty left for the stage. Call times are a lot earlier than when we actually film. We’re all very excited and nervous, so it’s important to manage how much energy I put out before showtime. I try to eat at the right time before filming so I’m fully fueled. It’s very easy not to eat because you don’t want to feel bloated, but it’s so important – a LOT of energy is needed for filming.

Kylie Gates

One of the things that really helps me prepare for my day-to-day classes is simply reminding myself of the obstacles and challenges people have to overcome just to show up for my class – especially at 5am. That mindset shift puts me instantly into a state of gratitude, and I know it creates a different energy and feeling in the room. It’s easy to get distracted as an Instructor, so I also make a conscious effort to ensure it’s all about the people right in front of me. I ask myself, What do I want my participants to feel or experience in this part of the track? When I shift my focus to them, they feel it.

When it comes to big stage presentations, all of the above still applies – plus one more goal: I want my connection to reach the person in the very back of the room. So I prepare what I’m going to say and do both mentally (through visualization) and physically (in the mirrors), making sure I’m practicing how to project myself to everyone – just like performing artists do. I study the best performers and learn from them too.

Otto Prodan

Filming days are big, so I always set myself up properly. I wake up early and have a coffee to get going. Smoothies with coconut water are a must for me – they keep me hydrated and give me just the right amount of energy without feeling heavy. Before filming, I run through the music a couple of times just to get into the flow. Then, right before stepping on stage, I like to take a few minutes for yoga and some breathing techniques. It helps me concentrate, settle any nerves, and really ground myself before the lights go on.

Kenshin Tani

I’d like to say ‘eat well and rest well,’ but during filming, that’s not always possible. Especially for me – I need to prepare in English so I hardly get much sleep. That’s why it’s important to understand our own capacity. If we know our limits and keep challenging ourselves to push a little further, we can adjust better during filming. Even in such an intense period, it helps us find new challenges and get a bit stronger.
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Geena Pannett

I always follow the same process before any filming or workshop. Food comes first – lots of carbs, usually crumpets or toast! For mindset, I listen to my tracks as I drive to the filming location and talk through how I want to start each one so it feels like a lived experience in the moment. Once I’ve talked them through, I switch to my favorite hype songs to get in the zone (usually other BODYATTACK™ or BODYCOMBAT™ tracks of course!).

House Chaalane

That quiet preparation is where everything begins. First, I tune into what kind of group I’m about to meet. From there, I shape my coaching style, my energy, and the entire class experience. It’s not just planning – it’s preparing myself emotionally so I can give them the best version of me in every single class, event, or filming session.

Before class – usually 20 to 30 minutes early – I slip into my own world. Music in my ears, light stretching, letting my body wake up to the rhythm. There’s a moment when the choreography and the music become instinct – when I become one with what I’m about to teach. That’s when I feel ready. It’s like I merge with the content – and from that point on, my focus shifts completely to them.

‍Erin Maw

It starts the night before – recovery is important: compression pants, a salt bath, and hopefully a good night’s sleep! I take daily electrolytes and lots of protein in my diet. Finally, I consume much, much coffee with a good breakfast!

Lula Slaughter

I get plenty of rest, go to bed early the night before, and have a light meal that powers me through the day. I drink plenty of water and may use a bit of pre-workout or black coffee if I need a pick-me-up.

Fraser Beck

Carbs and protein are dialed up in the two days before filming. Then, 2-3 hours prior, I take some time to chill, switch off, have fun, and enjoy time with friends. LES MILLS YOGA™ is structured intelligently so you don’t need to warm up too much beforehand, aside from a few neural priming drills.

‍Bas Hollander

My preparation is really about making sure I feel ready. I need to feel confident in my script, so I practice it a couple of times beforehand. I also keep my routine consistent: a healthy dinner the night before, the same breakfast I always have, and then a coffee a little while before the workout. I’ll have some caffeine too. It’s all pretty standard, but it helps me feel grounded and prepared.
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Amy Lu

I remind myself that people make an effort to show up for our classes, so it’s only fair that we put in the time to prepare. For me, that means knowing the choreography and having a clear outcome for the day – whether it’s helping people feel acknowledged, celebrating their effort, or getting them to focus on timing and feel the music. Your class outcome becomes an anchor for each track and shapes your block objectives. With experience, your ideas come faster, but taking time to prepare always brings more purpose and intention to what you deliver. Once you’re clear on your plan, you can step into class with confidence, stay present, and truly light it up!

Summer Bradley

For BODYBALANCE™, I love to get my muscles warm before we start. Before filming 110, I went for a little run because it was so cold that day (New Zealand winter!).

And a final message from Sebastian Jaramillo

For me, the start of the year is the most important moment to connect with participants. It’s more about mental preparation than physical – because the physical part we do together in class.

At the start of class, I set expectations and say something like:

"Here we are – new year, new goals! Let’s make a group effort. In the first six weeks, you’ll feel a difference – physically or mentally – and then we’ll jump into the next challenge. What do you think?"

This creates accountability and engagement. As I always say: Les Mills is not just a class – it’s an experience. So give them one… and give yourself one too. Start the year strong!