How to look younger and boost your on camera confidence.

5 Min read

When you’re feeling confident it really does come through on the camera, an audience can see and sense confidence in a presenter and it makes them easy to watch. But if a presenter has insecurities or is uncomfortable that can be seen as well. Moments of uncertainty or self-doubt however small or subtle add up and the assumption made by an audience is that the presenter doesn’t know what they’re talking about. So eliminating any insecurities, where ever they might come from, can only be a good thing.

Building confidence in your presenting and performance ability is all covered in The Presenter Academy's online courses but insecurities come out in other areas too. Over the years I’ve seen many presenters struggle with the way they look on camera. The fact of the matter is that very often I, and other people, can’t really see anything wrong with the way they look but that’s not the point, it’s about how they feel and how that effects their self-esteem.

I’m lucky enough to often be told that I look younger than I am and as of June 2023 test results show my metabolic age to be 15 years younger than my actual age. So in this blog, I’ll cover what’s works for me but as a full disclaimer that’s all this is, my personal routines and nothing more. I am not a qualified Nutritionist, Doctor or health advisor so before starting any health routines or taking any supplements you should consult your Doctor and do your own research.

With all that being said I have done my research over many years and the strategies I use are based on the fact that a little bit of biological stress puts your body into ‘perceived adversary’ and the body grows back stronger. For example, we all know that exercise is good for us, if we exert enough physical stress on our muscle they grow stronger but muscles are not the only things in our body that react in this way.

Intermittent fasting:

This is my number one. *Research suggests that a lack of food encourages the body to go into ‘survival mode’ a process called autophagy, which helps eliminate damaged cells and encourages the growth of new, healthier cells. This renewal process can not only improve the elasticity and texture of your skin, making you look younger but also allows your body time to cleanse and regenerate.

On average it take between 12 to 13 hours for the digestive system to process a meal and this process uses a lot of the body’s resources and energy. If you eat three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and an evening meal it’s unlikely that your body ever stops digesting, the wear and tear on the digestive system alone is relentless!

Generally I eat between 5pm and 9pm daily, giving me a four hour eating window and a 20 hour fast (around seven hours of autophagy a day) I’ve been doing this a long time but if you’re thinking of starting a fasting routine don't aim for 20 hours, it'll seem really hard and the chances are you'll give up. Start by just skipping breakfast and then increasing the time as you go on.

Reduce Refined Sugar:

Processed sugars produce a quick and easy ‘spick’ of energy in the bloodstream that our bodies will always use as it’s preferred source of fuel. Unfortunately this leaves any fat that we’ve eaten to be redundant as a source of energy and unless you are an athlete or someone doing a lot of physical activity that fat is stored. Reducing the amount of sugar intake significantly will leave your body to burn the fat which it actually does very efficiently. Some *experts have referred to a body burning sugar (glucose) as a dirty old diesel engine, leaving lots of pollution and toxins, where as a body burning fat is a clean, renewable solar panel.

Consuming excessive sugar leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which damages collagen and elastin, contributing to wrinkles and sagging skin. By reducing your sugar intake, you can minimize AGE production, maintain skin elasticity, and prevent premature aging.

I tend to have a low carb diet and have found the daily level of sugars/carb that I can have without gaining weight. If you’re thinking of this kind of diet do your research and check with your Doctor especially if your pregnant, in menopause, under eighteen or have a medical condition.

Saunas and Cold Plunges:

Saunas and cold plunges are remarkable tools that can help you achieve a more youthful and vibrant appearance. Regular sauna sessions promote detoxification by stimulating sweat production, which assists in flushing out toxins from your body. Additionally, the heat from saunas dilates blood vessels, improving circulation and providing a natural glow to your skin. On the other hand, cold plunges or cold showers tighten your pores, reducing inflammation and enhancing skin tone. Alternating between saunas and cold plunges offers a fantastic combination for rejuvenation.

I aim for three, 20 minute saunas and three 5 minute plunges a week although *research suggests that an 11 to 15 minute plunge is best, I’m still working up to that! It can be hard to find a good cold plunge pool as the temperature should be below 15 degrees C so you may have to start with cold showers.

Resveratrol and NMN Supplements:

Resveratrol and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) supplements are gaining attention for their potential anti-aging properties. Resveratrol, found in grapes, berries, and red wine, is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. *Research suggests that it also activate certain conditions that the body associates with fasting therefore increasing those benefits.

NMN is a precursor to NAD+, a molecule involved in energy metabolism and cellular repair. NAD+ levels decline with age and on average a 50 year old has 50% less than someone who is 21. NMN supplements can potentially boost NAD+ levels, supporting health and slowing the aging process.

Here are the ones I use almost every day (I have a couple of days off a month to give my body a rest):

1000mg Resveratrol: https://amzn.to/3oVKtXB

1000mg NMN: https://amzn.to/3CePVYJ

Conclusion: Looking younger and increasing your confidence is within reach with the right strategies and mindset. Incorporate intermittent fasting to promote cellular rejuvenation, make saunas and cold plunges a regular part of your routine for detoxification and improved skin appearance, adopt a low sugar diet to protect your skin's elasticity, and consider the potential benefits of resveratrol and NMN supplements.

Remember, confidence in front of the camera not only stems from knowing that what you're doing is correct (good presentation techniques and preparation) but also feeling good about yourself, if you’re not quite there yet with your presenting skills join a courses now:

https://courses.presenteracademy.com/

*If you’d like to know more about the research referred to on this page here are links to some of the experts I follow:

https://www.youtube.com/@DavidSinclairPodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@DrEricBergDC

https://youtu.be/dmDsFU6WMR4