How I began to enjoy sharing my voice

Image

Caption

The moment Thinusha received the Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year Award (2019/20) for District 82

Thinusha Bamunuarachchi tells us how attending a public speaking club transformed his confidence.

I was a small boy, eagerly waiting for my chance to speak at a classroom debate. I stood up confidently and managed two or three lines. But suddenly, I noticed the audience looking at me strangely. I got stuck. I forgot my lines. I was out of breath and butterflies filled my stomach. I froze. The clock ticked. The bell rang.

After my speaking attempt, the teacher put a big zero next to my name. The team captain came up to me and said, "We lost because of you". That day the teacher, the captain and the whole class made me feel like a fool.

Weeks, months and years passed. Along with me, something else grew too: my stammer.

Simple tasks like making friends, answering a phone call or ordering my favourite food at a restaurant were major challenges.

Even though I got selected to a university, I deliberately avoided speaking in front of a crowd. Simple tasks like making friends, answering a phone call or ordering my favourite food at a restaurant were major challenges. This was during an era when there was very little awareness, even among teachers. But I faced it. And I continue to face it every day.

Presenting

There was a point where life gave me no choice. My career as a Process Improvement Executive and then Manager often demanded presentations to staff and management teams to share knowledge, explain new processes and train others. I had to train colleagues, stand up and speak — no matter how afraid I was. 

I started practicing by myself. Breathing slowly. Speaking deliberately. I found ways to manage those moments of tension. One powerful technique that helped me was Metta meditation (which cultivates love, kindness and compassion). It helped me remain calm and kind towards myself. Also, practising speeches multiple times helped improve my flow and reduce anxiety.

Transformation

But the real transformation happened when I discovered a community that embraced people like me: the public speaking organisation Toastmasters.

My first visit to a Toastmasters club was a memorable experience. I was nervous and was hesitant about having to speaking impromptu. However, during that first meeting I introduced myself to the audience. I stammered a little, but they were extremely kind and supportive. They did not make my stammer the focus of their feedback — they treated me like any other speaker, which gave me a lot of confidence. That experience really encouraged me to continue.

I stammered a little, but the audience was extremely kind and supportive. They did not make my stammer the focus of their feedback

It wasn't magic. It was a journey of small steps, repeated over time. At Toastmasters, I found a supportive and positive environment to experiment, fail and grow. I started to stammer less. I connected more. I began to enjoy sharing my voice.      

Then I started participating in speaking contests. Sometimes I won. Sometimes I lost. And that was okay — because losing taught me more than winning ever could. Over time, my confidence grew beyond my imagination.

Image

Caption

Thinusha delivering a presentation at the GeniusU London Social, speaking to a group of entrepreneurs

• See our tips for presentations & public speaking

My achievements

Eventually, I became the Outstanding Toastmaster of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu (District 82) in 2019-2020 — the highest honour a Toastmaster can receive at the district level.

In 2020, I helped bring together speakers from 76 different countries for a single global meeting. What started as one event blossomed into a community called 'One Country One World', and I became its Charter President. Later, I even got opportunities to deliver keynotes and international speeches across 16+ countries, touching audiences from various backgrounds.

If a boy like me who was once silenced by fear of stammering can find his voice on global stages, so can you.

During my time in Sri Lanka, I was proud to serve as a lecturer in a state university, teaching students the art of Presentation Skills — something that once terrified me.

Today, through the company I set up, I focus on transforming organisations and the people who drive them. I also coach and motivate individuals — especially those struggling with speech challenges. 

To anyone reading this who might be struggling, I challenge you — do not let others' opinions define you. Their opinions are not your truth. Show the world who you really are and what you can truly do.

If a boy like me who was once silenced by fear of stammering can find his voice on global stages, so can you.

The journey is not about being 'perfect'. It's about having the courage to keep showing up!

For details of Toastmasters and to see if there's a club near you, visit the Toastmasters website. If you live in London, there's the SASA Toastmasters club specially for people who stammer. Alternatively, the Association of Speakers Clubs is a similar organisation you can try.

If you would like to contact Thinusha, email us at editor@stamma.org and we will pass it on to him.

Would you like to write an article for Your Voice? See Submit Something For The Site or email editor@stamma.org for details.