The 2016 world champion of public speaking explains how he deals with stage fright

Toastmasters International

Darren Tay poses with the 2016 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking trophy.

Darren Tay, a 27-year-old Singaporean lawyer, became the 2016 Toastmasters International world champion of public speaking in August, surviving several rounds of a competition that lasted six months and included more than 30,000 competitors from Toastmasters public speaking clubs around the world.

But even he was nervous before giving his winning speech, "Outsmart; Outlast."

"Many people think that you get rid of the butterflies in your stomach, and said, ''You looked so confident on stage!'" Tay told Business Insider. "But really at the end of the day it's not about getting rid of the butterflies in the stomach. It's about taking that energy and making it fly in formation."

Tay broke down his pre-presentation ritual that he uses to get those butterflies in order.