Finding Your Voice: How Clarisse Saam Helps Emerging Leaders Become Creatively Courageous

Written by Heather Anderson

Clarisse Nichole knows firsthand the impact of a loud inner critic. She began her coaching journey by helping clients confront that inner voice and reconnect with their sense of worth—a foundation that continues to shape her work. But it wasn’t until she started coaching speakers and singers preparing for high-stakes moments—keynotes, auditions, summits—that everything clicked into alignment and her work truly began to take off. With more than 30 years of experience performing on stage and over a decade in corporate learning and organizational development, Clarisse brings both soul and strategy to the spotlight. In this conversation, we explore how she helps her clients feel steady, seen, and confident in the moments that matter most.

Your journey blends performance, coaching, and leadership in a really unique way. Was there a moment in your own life—on stage or off—that helped you realize how powerful presence and self-trust can be under pressure?

Absolutely. Years ago, I auditioned for my dream role of Jenny and completely blanked on a song I could sing in my sleep. I’d put so much pressure on myself to be perfect that I froze. I didn’t get the part—and I knew it wasn’t because I lacked talent, but because I couldn’t access it under that kind of stress.

It wasn’t until years later, after learning to manage my nerves and let go of perfectionism, that I started hearing things like, “You’re so grounded,” and “You’re magnetic to watch.” That shift—from proving to trusting—changed everything. And now it’s what I help others do, too.

How did singing become such a meaningful part of your life?

I’ve loved singing for as long as I can remember. My grandfather would always tell me, “I know how much you love to sing, and I hope you never stop.” But like many people, life got busy—college, a “real job,” and other priorities took over. For nearly a decade, I only sang in the shower or the car, and it felt like I’d lost touch with a vital part of myself. Rediscovering singing wasn’t just about the music—it was about reconnecting with who I am at my core.

What strategies do you use to help speakers and singers manage nerves and perform with confidence when the stakes are high?

One of the biggest things I teach is how to take the pressure off. High-stakes moments can feel overwhelming when you're focused on proving yourself or getting it “perfect.” Instead, we focus on refining your delivery, grounding your energy, and creating a pre-performance plan that helps you show up ready.

That includes things like breathwork, body awareness, visualization, and rehearsing recovery moments—so if something doesn’t go as planned, you can pivot without spiraling. When you practice presence instead of perfection, your confidence grows naturally.

How does your background as a singer and highly sensitive individual shape your work with clients?

Singing became my roadmap to resiliency. Growing up I regularly heard I was “too much”—too loud, too emotional, too big. So I adapted to survive—suppressing my needs, shrinking my voice, trying to earn my worth so I could survive. Rediscovering singing taught me to embrace vulnerability and show up as my full self. That experience changed everything.

Now, I bring that same lens to my work with clients. I know how it feels to freeze up, to doubt your value, to carry the weight of other people’s expectations. Whether someone is stepping onto a literal stage or just into a bigger version of themselves, I help them stay grounded and steady in their voice

You’ve worked with professionals in high-pressure environments. What patterns or struggles do you see most often, especially for speakers or performers preparing for high-stakes moments?

In competitive, high-pressure environments—whether it's corporate leadership or a keynote stage—, the inner critic thrives. It whispers things like, “Don’t make mistakes,” or “You’re not good enough,” fueling perfectionism imposter syndrome, and performance anxiety. I see it especially with summit speakers and leaders preparing for high-stakes moments—they know their stuff, but the visibility triggers a fear of being judged, freezing up, or not delivering it perfectly. That’s where my work comes in. We focus on building a sense of grounded presence—working through the inner critic, yes, but also refining delivery, anchoring in purpose, and building the tools to stay steady under pressure. When people feel safe in their bodies and voices, they naturally show up with more clarity, confidence, and connection.

What’s unique about your approach to coaching speakers, performers, and professionals who are stepping into more visibility?

I’ve lived both sides—I know what it’s like to crave the spotlight and to fear being too much once you’re in it. My clients are often navigating that same tension: they have something powerful to say, but the pressure to get it perfect—or the fear of being judged—gets in the way. What’s unique about my approach is how I blend mindset, presence, and performance. I create a space where clients don’t have to prove anything. Instead, we work on grounding their energy, elevating their delivery, detaching from the outcome, and building real tools to help them feel confident when it counts. For introverts, neuro-sparkly folks, and anyone who’s ever been told they’re “too much,” that shift can be transformational.

“Joy doesn’t have to be big or performative—it can be as simple as taking a deep breath, singing a song you love, or giving yourself permission to show up without pressure.”
— Clarisse Nichole

Your philosophy emphasizes joy as a pathway to effectiveness. How do you help clients lean into joy, especially when anxiety and self-doubt feel overwhelming?

Joy doesn’t have to be big or performative—it can be as simple as taking a deep breath, singing a song you love, or giving yourself permission to show up without pressure. I help clients reconnect to the joy of expression, not just the outcome. Whether they’re prepping for a keynote or an audition, we make space for creativity, movement, and curiosity—because when the process feels nourishing, the performance becomes more grounded and authentic.

For many of my clients, joy isn’t just a bonus—it’s the fuel that makes confidence sustainable.

Do you have a favorite client transformation story?

One of my favorite transformations was supporting a former Pixar executive as she prepared for her first TEDx talk. She came in with a strong message, but the pressure of delivering it on such a visible stage—especially being filmed—had her panicked that she might blank or lose connection to the emotional arc. Together, we worked on breathwork, grounding in purpose, and designing a pre-performance plan to help her feel confident and steady.

When the moment came, she said, "When I stood on that TED red dot your warm, compassionate voice came to mind, and I grounded my stance, breathed in a new, fuller way, and remembered that voice and breath are connected." She absolutely crushed it—and her talk was later featured by the TEDx organization.

I’ve also had the honor of supporting speakers onsite at major tech conferences, including the Snowflake Summit. When nerves hit in real time, I’m there to help them reset, breathe, and reconnect to their purpose—because the truth is, preparation isn’t just about what you rehearse. It’s about who you are when the spotlight hits.

For readers who feel stuck in overwork or self-doubt, what’s one practical step they can take today to feel more confident in high-pressure moment?

One of the most powerful things you can do is create a pre-performance ritual—even if you’re not stepping on stage. Before a big meeting, a presentation, or any moment that matters, take 2–3 minutes to ground yourself: plant your feet, take a deep breath, and reconnect to why you’re showing up. When you lead with purpose instead of pressure, your presence shifts.

That’s often where I start with clients—helping them get clear on their purpose so they can show up steady and self-assured, no matter the stakes.

What has balancing creativity and business looked like for you?

It’s definitely a dance. Singing fuels me most when it’s a source of joy rather not pressure. And the same goes for business—when I over-focus on one and neglect the other, I feel it. Balance, for me, means giving each part of my life space to breathe. That’s where creativity thrives (and where I do too). It’s not about perfection; it’s about honoring what I need in each season without guilt or shame.

If there’s one thing you’d like readers to take away from your story and your work, what would it be?

You don’t have to prove yourself to earn your place in the spotlight. When you take care of yourself—mentally, emotionally, and energetically—you show up clearer, stronger, and more connected. That’s not fluff. That’s strategy. Confidence starts with feeling safe in your own body and voice.

For someone curious about working with you, what’s the first step?

The best first step is booking a free Spotlight Strategy Session. It’s a 30-minute call where we’ll talk about what you’re preparing for, what’s feeling sticky or high-stakes, and how you want to feel when the moment comes. You’ll leave with clarity, personalized tools, and a real sense of what’s possible when you’re supported.

Curious about working with Clarisse?

Connect with Clarisse Nichole on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

You can also find her on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Clarisse inside The Club membership for women founders.

Heather Anderson