WHEN he was a student, the very idea of making a presentations or speech filled Chris Dawes with fear and dread.

“I was literally paralysed by fear,” he says. “I remember not wanting to speak, trying to get something out.”

It’s hard to believe this early terror: Chris, 41, from north Swindon, has not only enjoyed a successful career in IT sales for 18 years, he is successful and in-demand motor racing commentator, speaking live to thousands of listeners at venues like Donington Park, Oulton Park and Castle Combe, with prospects for international work. He is also an events host and does voiceover work. He has even put all his learning and experience as a communications expert, training others how to overcome their nerves and become powerful speakers.

Chris was born in Yate, near Bristol and after school, studied for a BSc in business information management systems. He had always been a motor racing fan and remembers childhood days spent with his father David, watching the racing.

“I loved watching it,” he recalls. “I used to go with my dad at five years old. To Castle Combe, to every Silverstone Formula 1 British grand prix for 10 years. We went to Le Mans as well when I was a teenager.

“It was so exciting – the speed, and the danger.”

At university, Chris had to give presentations to his class and to lecturers, and he discovered how terrifying the experience was – and how important.

“If you can’t speak, you end up not actually able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills and passion for what you are talking about,” he said. “I would imagine I always got something out because I am stubborn, and have a male ego, but it would have been awful.

“I had to work out a way to do it.”

Chris engaged in some self-analysis and finally worked out how to overcome his fears.

“I would ask myself what it was that was making me paralysed by fear, and why I was thinking and feeling these things. I put them in perspective and used some tricks of the mind.

“I was a national level swimmer till I went to university and when I was competing at the weekends and needed to go a bit faster, I could convince myself I was being chased by a shark and that mental trick got me a little bit more adrenalin.

“When you’re speaking you need to harness this adrenalin – nerves and excitement are the same physical feeling – I had to change the perspective in my mind.

“You don’t want to get calm when you’re speaking – get excited!”

Chris went into sales roles and did lots of meetings and presentations, building up his presentation skills. He married Claire and has a six-year-old daughter called Lauren. Six years ago, his wife spotted a notice online saying that the Castle Combe circuit was recruiting potential commentators. Encouraged by Claire, Chris decided to give it a go.

He had to submit a 15-minute presentation on a subject of his choice, along with a CV. On the strength of his application, Chris was invited for an interview and taken on as a trainee to shadow the commentators and learn the necessary skills. Chris did well and was invited to join the commentary team.

“I still remember the pride and excitement of knowing I was part of the team,” he recalls.

In 2013, Chris commentated on several race days at Castle Combe, and half a dozen at Oulton Park. The team at Oulton Park were so impressed they recommended him to Motor Sport Vision, which operates a number of race tracks in the UK. He went from strength to strength, and in 2015 and 2016 lined up a host of exciting commentating jobs for circuits in the UK and abroad, including the Blancpain GT Sprint at Brands Hatch and live feed coverage for the Rotax Max Euro Challenge in Italy and Germany.

He says he has an inclusive style as a commentator: “It’s like having a conversation – making each person listening feel that I am talking to them.”

This year he will be commentating almost every weekend in the racing year, as well as hosting awards nights and presentations. He has also moved into voiceover work, doing adverts, training videos, podcasts and even radio drama. Chris has also joined the board of the Castle Combe Racing Club – a development he is delighted by.

“I am that excited, in awe, passionate about it,” he grins. “I’m the fan who made it into the commentary box. I never lose that appreciation. It’s incredible!”

The success of his new career prompted Chris to set up a new business two and half years ago, called Chris Dawes Comms Ltd, and then Open Dawes Training – putting his skills and experience to use helping other people overcome their fears and develop their skills when speaking in public.

“People assume they have to become someone else when presenting, but in fact, it’s about being yourself, plus ten per cent. We get nerves, and adrenalin, but turn it into excitement.

“And it’s about using breathing and pausing. This will make an instant impact.”

Another recent and perhaps surprising fact about Chris – considering the high-pressure nature of his work - is that he recently discovered he has Generalised Anxiety Disorder – something he is keen to talk about to raise awareness of mental health issues, and because he believes more men should feel comfortable talking about their mental and emotional well-being.

“I think I’ve always had it,” he said. “I was bullied at primary school, and later I suffered a head injury.

“I am always in a state of anxiety. There are symptoms like heart palpitations, sleep disorders, blowing things out of all proportion.”

Now he understands more about his disorder, Chris says he can take steps to manage it – which includes meditation.

He would also encourage others who might have the condition to learn more about the symptoms and ways to manage it.

“It’s about being more realistic and learning to let things go,” he says.

For more information on his work, visit chrisdawescomms.co.uk and opendawestraining.co.uk.