EP 29 - Nicole’s New Match: From the Tennis Court to Toastmasters

Nicole, a tennis coach and former professional tennis player, joined Toastmasters to challenge herself in new ways beyond the tennis court. Through Toastmasters, Nicole has learned techniques such as better voice control, humor, eye contact, and audience engagement, which have also made her a more effective and dynamic coach.

Her introduction to Toastmasters dates back to her childhood when her father, a chemist, participated in the program as part of his work. Decades later, after moving to the Blue Mountains, a friend invited Nicole to join Toastmasters, prompting her to take the opportunity to improve her communication skills. 

Nicole enjoys the diversity within her Toastmasters club, meeting people from different careers and backgrounds, such as doctors, lawyers, and scientists. She emphasizes how valuable evaluations are, learning from both her speeches and others' performances. She particularly values the "sandwich method" of feedback, which blends positive reinforcement with constructive advice, something she applies in her coaching.

Reflecting on her tennis career, Nicole mentions that speaking after winning matches was easier than after losing, as emotions can cloud one's thoughts. However, both experiences taught her to handle public speaking under pressure. She recalls that tennis players who spoke authentically, like Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova, were the most engaging.

For newcomers, Nicole recommends simply attending a Toastmasters meeting without pressure to speak, as observing others can be a powerful learning experience. She also shares a practical tip: practicing speeches in front of a mirror helps improve both delivery and confidence. Nicole concludes by encouraging people to explore different Toastmasters clubs to find the right fit, emphasizing that the supportive environment fosters growth and learning.