In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to Anna Zhao. Anna is a financial management specialist by trade, but is a storyteller at heart. Growing up in China, Anna was encouraged by her parents to pursue her interests, public speaking being among the many. As an adult, she reignited that passion upon joining Toastmasters.

Anna talks about commitment, and how her unwavering passion allowed her to continue improving her speeches virtually during quarantine. While the experience of speaking to a live audience is incomparable, her passion for the craft was not diminished and she continued to be active in her club. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• How Anna rediscovered her love of public speaking with Toastmasters
• Early childhood and growing up in China
• Entering the United States and developing more passions
• It's all about commitment: speeches in the era of Zoom meetings
• Picking up leadership skills with Toastmasters
• A lifetime of developing passions

QUOTES

Anna: "I just signed up and starting from there, I gave a speech and learned from all the excellent toastmasters members. It has been a transformative experience. Every single day, I'm inspired by the people and by the stage itself."

Anna: "Writing a speech is a journey with ourselves. Each story is about ourselves, we just need to dig deep into our own story and then write it, rehearse it, and deliver it. It's about ourselves, it's just like a commitment. When we give a commitment, it's not about the other person." 

Anna: "If we talk about the commitment to the club, to giving a speech, to Toastmasters, it's all about ourselves. I want to get deeper into myself, to have discoveries about myself. I write about it, I contemplate it. It's about ourselves. Once we think through this, it's a natural flow from there." 

Connect with Anna in the links below:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annazhao-ny/
• Leadership Roundtable Open House Registration Link (May 2): https://www.leadershiproundtable.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html

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