We grow up learning to be cautious around strangers and to stick with what’s familiar. Yet the moment I landed in Canada, I became a stranger. Every accent, every custom, every unspoken rule reminded me that I was outside my comfort zone. I braced for isolation. But then something remarkable happened: these strangers, the very people I thought would highlight my differences, became the unexpected key to my growth.

Starting Over with Six Suitcases and a Dream

Three years ago, I arrived in Canada with my husband, my little daughter, and six suitcases filled with dreams and, of course, some of our belongings. After years of professional experience in Latin America, I thought that settling into a new country would be challenging but manageable. I was wrong.

Canada’s job market was fiercely competitive. To stand out, I needed to reinvent myself. So, I made a plan and dove into upskilling: I earned project management certifications, explored AI tools, and began working on soft skills such as public speaking, my silent nemesis.

The Nudge That Changed Everything

Then a mentor said something that changed the trajectory of my journey:
“You should visit Toastmasters.”

At my first meeting as a guest, I was awestruck and intimidated. The speakers were polished and confident. How could I ever belong here? I wondered if I should retreat to English language classes, where I felt safer.

But something unexpected happened. The members welcomed me with warmth, urging me to return. “Give it another try,” they said. So I did.

The Moment of Truth

After three visits, I stood at a crossroads: commit or walk away. The decision weighed heavily on me. Was I truly ready for this? I still wasn’t sure, but I chose to trust myself and this community.

At every meeting, I heard the same words: “We provide a supportive and positive learning experience where members develop communication and leadership skills, gaining confidence and personal growth.”

At first, it sounded like a corporate slogan. But soon, I realized it was actually a promise.

A Conference That Shifted My Mindset

A few weeks ago, I attended the Toastmasters District 86 International Speech Contest in Thorold, ON. I went as a spectator, eager to learn, and what I discovered rewired my thinking.

Before the contest, I had the opportunity to meet Matt Kinsey, Toastmasters International President (2022-2023). When he asked why I joined, I replied, “To become a confident public speaker.” His response stuck with me: “You’re in the right place. No one here wants you to fail. We all want you to grow.”

Then came the speeches, eight contestants sharing stories of resilience. Each tale was filled with adversity, strength, and personal triumph. I laughed, teared up, and scribbled notes. I searched for a common thread in their journeys.

And then, it clicked.

In every story, there was always a supportive person or a group standing quietly in the shadows when doubt crept in, whispering, “You can do this.”

Realizing I Wasn’t Alone

Suddenly, I saw my journey with new clarity.

For the past three months, Toastmasters has been my not-so-silent ally. My club cheered my progress, from completing the Speechcraft Program to delivering three speeches and taking on meeting roles. They celebrated my wins and nudged me forward after a shaky line or a missed cue.

But it wasn’t until the conference that I truly understood: growth is never solitary. Behind every success, there are unseen forces; people who believe in you before you even believe in yourself.

I left that conference with more than a notebook of ideas. I left with conviction: Great speakers aren’t born, they’re forged by communities like this one.

A New Lens on Growth

I’m still early in my Toastmasters journey. But now, when I walk into a meeting, I see things differently.

The audience? They’re not just listeners, they’re my allies. Every volunteer role? It’s not just a task, it’s an opportunity. And that Toastmasters mission statement? I finally hear it for what it truly is: An open invitation to grow, and proof that no one succeeds alone.

To Anyone Starting Out

If you’re reading this and feeling unsure about public speaking, changing careers, or starting over in a new country, please hear this: Your voice matters. Your mistakes are part of the process. And there are people, right now, who want to see you succeed.

All you need to do is take the first step: Find a Toastmasters club near you at https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
Or message me, I’d love to welcome you to our next meeting.

Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in a community like this one. Just like it did for me. As James Cash Penney once said, “Growth never happens by accident; it comes from people working together.”

Some of those people are in Toastmasters. Sometimes they’re elsewhere.
But they’re out there, waiting to believe in you, just like they believed in me.

Created by Fabiola Quezada Monterrey, Milton Escarpment Toastmasters