He just seemed more relaxed yesterday--less of a snake-oil salesman, less apt to be pissed-off by rude questions, more willing to hit back, but in a good-natured way, and more confident about his own achievements.
He seemed more uptight and unconfident yesterday. 
mnli hypothesis: He seemed more uptight and unconfident yesterday.  premise: He just seemed more relaxed yesterday--less of a snake-oil salesman, less apt to be pissed-off by rude questions, more willing to hit back, but in a good-natured way, and more confident about his own achievements.