TED Talk Tuesday: Amy Cuddy on Power Posing

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Amy Cuddy's TED Talk on body language argues that how you hold yourself can shape how confident you feel, which makes it ideal interview-season viewing. Her idea of power posing and fake it until you make it can help nervous pre-PA applicants project and build real confidence.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

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Why watch TED Talks during PA school prep?

I'm a big fan of TED Talks. If you're not familiar, they're short lectures from brilliant people on whatever they're an expert in, they're free, and I don't think I've ever watched one and felt like it was a waste of time. They're short enough to fit into a study break, which makes them perfect for busy pre-PA and PA students.

The one I want to share is from Amy Cuddy, and it's all about body language and how we can use it to our advantage. It's a great watch heading into interview season, because so much of how you come across in an interview is nonverbal.

In this post:

What is power posing and does it help with interviews?

Cuddy talks about power posing, which is the idea that taking on the posture of someone powerful and successful can shift how you feel. The notion that standing tall could increase confidence and lower stress is fascinating to me, and it's something I fully support trying before a big interview.

I also love her take on fake it until you make it. So many of us move through school and life feeling like we aren't ready to be where we are, but the truth is almost everyone feels that way, so you might as well own it. I don't want to miss out on something because I'm slouching, and I don't want patients to feel disconnected because of my body language either. The same goes for an interview room.

In Our Experience

In our experience coaching applicants, body language is one of the most overlooked parts of interview prep. Students focus on answers and forget that posture, eye contact, and presence speak first. Try a power pose before you walk in. It feels a little silly, but it works, and confidence is contagious in an interview.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Power posing before a high-stakes moment may help you feel more confident and less stressed, so strike a pose before your interview.

Free Application Timeline → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-application-timeline/

Need to Know:

Amy Cuddy's TED Talk focuses on body language and confidence
Power posing means adopting a confident, expansive posture
The idea is that posture can shift how confident you feel
It's ideal viewing during interview season
Fake it until you make it applies to nervous applicants
Nonverbal presence matters in interviews and with patients

Listen: Public Speaking and Interview Skills with Dr. Scott Litin

Forty years of teaching people how to not be boring.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

Forty years of teaching people how to not be boring.

Dr. Scott Litin has spent four decades working on presentation skills, and this conversation applies to a lot more than standing at a podium. It applies to your interview, your case presentations on rotations, and every time you have to explain something to a patient.

His core idea is that you're telling a story, not dumping information. People remember a narrative. They do not remember your fourth bullet point. If you want a message to land, build it into something with a shape.

He also gets into how to actually hold an audience, which is a skill, not a personality trait. That's good news if you think you're bad at this.

What we cover

Why communication skills shape your career
Building a presentation around a story instead of a data dump
Techniques for keeping an audience with you
Making your key message stick
Applying presentation skills to PA school interviews
Getting better at this if it doesn't come naturally

Resources

Follow The Pre-PA Club: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · All episodes

FAQ

What is Amy Cuddy's TED Talk about?

Body language and how your posture can influence how confident and powerful you feel.

What is power posing?

Adopting an expansive, confident posture, the kind a powerful person might hold, to help boost your own confidence.

How does this help with PA school interviews?

Interviews are heavily nonverbal. Carrying yourself with confidence can improve how you come across and how you feel.

What does fake it until you make it mean here?

Acting confident even when you don't feel it can help you build genuine confidence, which matters when nearly everyone feels unprepared.

Are TED Talks good for busy students?

Yes. They're short and free, making them a perfect study-break resource.

Should I try power posing before my interview?

It's worth a shot. Many people find a quick confident pose beforehand helps settle nerves.

CLOSING

TED Talks are an easy, free way to learn something useful during a study break, and Amy Cuddy's is a great place to start before interviews. Give power posing a try, own your confidence, and remember that almost everyone in that waiting room feels nervous too. If you want structured help getting interview-ready, we're here for that.

Pre-PA Counseling → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/pre-pa-counseling/

TED Talk Tuesday: Amy Cuddy on Power Posing