In 2016, I nervously attended my very first Toastmasters meeting. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was that I wanted to challenge myself, to grow, and to find a way to share my story. What I didn’t know was just how much Toastmasters would change the course of my life.
The Push I Needed
My journey didn’t begin on my own. It began with encouragement. My dear friend Kirsty saw something in me that I hadn’t fully seen in myself yet. She encouraged me to attend Toastmasters, and when I finally walked into 4th Dimension Toastmasters, she became my mentor. Kirsty’s belief in me was the spark that pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and into a community that would shape my confidence and my career.
The Journey Through CC10
Like every Toastmaster, I started with my Icebreaker speech. I remember shaking from nerves, wondering if my words would come out the way I wanted them to. But the club members listened with encouragement, and for the first time, I felt the power of a safe space where I could practice and grow.
Each speech in the Competent Communicator (CC) manual became a stepping stone:
- Icebreaker – introducing myself, learning to share who I am.
- Organize Your Speech – structuring my thoughts so they flowed with clarity.
- Get to the Point – discovering how to be purposeful and impactful.
- Using Body Language & Vocal Variety – learning that communication is about so much more than words.
- And finally, CC10: Inspire Your Audience – where I realized that I didn’t just want to give speeches; I wanted to inspire.
In 2018, when I completed CC10, I had not only grown as a speaker—I had found a voice I never thought I had.
Beyond the Club: Speaking as a Career
What started as a personal challenge became the foundation for my career. Today, I am a motivational and keynote speaker, sharing my journey and speaking on themes like kindness, bravery, inclusion, and embracing challenges.
The lessons I learned in Toastmasters live in every speech I give:
- The structure that keeps me clear and focused.
- The storytelling that makes my message memorable.
- The confidence that allows me to connect with audiences of all sizes.
- The feedback I received, which taught me to always be open to growth.
From schools to corporate events, from small gatherings to large conferences—every stage I step onto is possible because of the foundation Toastmasters gave me.
Since Toastmasters: Stages I’ve Spoken On
Since completing my CC10, I’ve had the privilege of stepping onto stages that I never imagined possible back in 2016. A few highlights include:
- AIG disAbilities and Allies Employee Resource Group: Broker High Tea – where I shared my personal story and the importance of inclusion.
- MDF AGM
- Beaulieu Prep and Brescia House School – speaking to young people about bravery, kindness, and embracing challenges with courage.
- PechaKucha – one of the most unique and challenging formats I’ve ever tried: 20 slides, 20 seconds each. No pausing, no backtracking, just a fast-paced flow of words and images.
At first, the thought of PechaKucha terrified me. Toastmasters had taught me to structure a speech and use pauses to connect—but this format forced me to be concise and sharp. I had to cut out every extra word and trust that my message could still land powerfully in such a short window.
And it did. That night, as the slides clicked forward like clockwork, I realised how much Toastmasters had prepared me to adapt, to think quickly, and to deliver a message with clarity. It was yet another reminder that the skills I built in Toastmasters aren’t limited to one type of speech—they’re skills I can carry anywhere, in any format, on any stage. The shaky Icebreaker speech I once gave at Toastmasters was the very first step toward these bigger platforms.
The Heart of Toastmasters
But for me, Toastmasters isn’t just about speeches. It’s about people. The supportive environment. The mentors who guide us. The encouragement from fellow members who clap just as loudly for shaky beginners as they do for polished speakers.
It’s about Kirsty. She was not only the person who introduced me to Toastmasters, but also the mentor who walked beside me through those early, nerve-wracking speeches. Her encouragement lit a spark that continues to fuel my journey today.
What Toastmasters Means to Me
Toastmasters gave me more than confidence and communication skills. It gave me courage. It gave me a community. And most of all, it gave me a platform to turn my story into something that could touch and inspire others.
As I look back at my journey—from that nervous Icebreaker in 2016, to completing CC10 in 2018, to standing on professional stages today—I can say this with absolute certainty:
Toastmasters didn’t just help me find my voice. It gave me the courage to use it.
