In this episode, I talk with Jimmy — a public speaking champion and freelance trainer for English teachers — about his transformation from a school teacher to a confident freelancer and contest-winning speaker. With a deep passion for growth, Jimmy shares how he prepares to win, not just on stage, but in life. We explore practical tips for crafting compelling speeches, overcoming sad moments, improving English fluency, and defining personal ambition. We also open up about our lesser-known sides outside the Toastmasters world, and the quiet value of long-standing friendships. Whether you’re chasing a goal or simply enjoying the journey, this conversation will inspire you to reflect, recharge, and grow. ⏱️ Timestamps: * 01:00 – Jimmy’s transformation: from school teacher to freelance trainer for English teachers * 08:00 – Why English fluency can plateau and tips to improve * 15:00 – How Jimmy joined Toastmasters and found his passion for contests * 18:00 – Ambition and the different levels of wanting to win * 24:00 – How to choose the right personal story and define your speech message * 28:00 – Tips on sharing sad stories and handling emotional moments * 35:00 – Outside the spotlight: other sides of Jimmy and me * 40:00 – Do you see yourself as hardworking? Working smart vs. working hard * 46:00 – Ideal relationship patterns and reflections on love and family * 53:00 – Life pace this year and the ongoing road of transformation

In this episode, we dive into topics such as stage presence, public speaking, and the journey of personal growth and resilience. We explore how hiking, life hacks for relaxation (hotpot therapy, anyone?), and Toastmasters meetings can help with self-reflection and healing. The discussion also touches on shifting from a victim mindset to positive thinking, and how mentors influence our development. The episode also covers career transitions, embracing your unique style, and the idea that growth often comes with challenges. If you're looking for inspiration to balance self-care, pursue your goals, and live authentically, this episode is for you. Sections: * - 00:08 First impressions and stage presence * - 00:15 Managing stress and building meaningful relationships * - 00:24 Insights on friendship and bonding through Toastmasters * - 00:27 Positive mindset: Avoiding victim mentality and reclaiming control * - 00:33 Relaxation habits: Overcoming indulgences and bad habits * - 00:40 MacLehose Trail Hiking stories: Accidents, and triumphs * - 00:47 Regular hiking experience and MBTI P vs J types * - 00:53 "Think Like a Monk": Book ideas sharing * - 01:03 Personal growth through style and self-image * - 01:16 The rewarding journey of club revival and chasing dreams * - 01:24 Career changes and overcoming hesitation

In this episode, I connect with Dan to discuss staying present, balanced, and energized. We explore the power of focusing on the present moment to reduce stress and anxiety, and how positive surroundings can fuel our energy. Dan shares strategies for navigating low-energy days and highlights the importance of supportive friendships. We also delve into how vision boards can strengthen connections with like-minded people and help us achieve meaningful goals. Join us for an inspiring conversation about protecting energy, cultivating positivity, and building environments that support growth. Sections: 1. 1)Overcoming stress and anxiety by getting back to the present moment 2. 2)Quick methods for handling low-energy days 3. 3)Prioritizing energy protection and avoiding energy suckers 4. 4)Using vision boards to foster personal growth

In this episode, I chat with Jessica about her recent travels to Malaysia and Singapore, where she deepened her connection with her mother and experienced the kindness of locals during a challenging moment of losing her passport. We delve into Jessica's passion for hiking, discussing how it has transformed her perspective and provided opportunities for self-discovery. She shares memorable hiking experiences, highlighting the joy of unplanned adventures and how these moments help heal and foster acceptance. On the professional side, Jessica reveals her journey as a TikTok content creator in the e-commerce industry. We explore her aspirations for an international career, her experiences in various job positions, and her recent endeavor of launching her own online shop. Join us as we discuss the value of travel, the beauty of nature, and the courage to pursue new paths in life! Timestamp: 00:00 - Warm-up and Intro: 01:20 - Jessica’s Trip to Malaysia & Singapore: Jessica shares her memorable trip to Malaysia and Singapore with her mom, highlighting cultural differences and a challenging experience of losing and recovering her passport and SIM card. 18:00 - Deepening Connections Through Travel: Jessica reflects on how traveling with her mom has strengthened their bond, helping them understand each other better. 26:00 - The Joy of Hiking: Discussing her passion for hiking, Jessica explains how it helps her embrace solitude and deepen her connections with friends while finding healing in nature. 34:00 - Memorable Hiking Experiences: We recounts two significant hiking trips, illustrating how unplanned moments during these adventures led to unexpected joy and beautiful memories. 37:00 - Career Transitions: Having moved from Guangzhou to Shenzhen, Jessica shares her fearless approach to changing jobs and her aspirations to work in Singapore one day. 41:00 - Job Selection Insights: She discusses her role as a TikTok content creator in the e-commerce industry and her pursuit of jobs related to international business. 46:00 - Goal-Oriented Mindset: Jessica explains her goal-oriented personality, emphasizing the importance of trying new opportunities and finding role models for motivation. 54:00 - Enhancing English Skills: We highlights the significance of improving English proficiency in broadening the career opportunities. 01:00:00 - Launching Her Online Business: Jessica shares her journey of starting her online shop from scratch, wishing for its growth while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 01:09:00 - Final Thoughts: In closing, Jessica encourages listeners not to overthink their decisions, emphasizing that taking action will lead to clarity and answers over time.

I talk with Yuli, a freelancer teaching Chinese, about her inspiring journey from Yunnan Province to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Invited by friends to travel, Yuli embraced the opportunity and settled down, enrolling in a Thai language school while simultaneously teaching Chinese. She reflects on how her initial part-time teaching role gradually evolved into a full-fledged freelancing career, fueled by positive feedback and a growing confidence in her abilities. Yuli shares her experience with content creation, revealing her preference for audio materials over video as she develops a podcast on her teaching platform, Italki. We discuss her daily routine, which includes attending classes, teaching, engaging in Thai boxing, and exploring local activities. Yuli emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and maintaining a positive mindset, especially during the challenging early days of freelancing. Join us as we explore Yuli’s insights on personal growth, the journey of self-discovery, and the joy of pursuing a career that aligns with one’s personality. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion filled with inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to carve their own path!

In this episode, I chat with Joyce, a beginner English teacher, about her journey in the classroom. She leverages the skills she developed as a content creator, using innovative teaching strategies to inspire her students in learning English. Joyce shares her effective methods, including shadow reading movies and video clips, and discusses her preference for intensive listening and reading techniques, while I lean towards extensive ones. We discuss the importance of building a supportive community, asking questions, and forging connections, as well as her experiences in a Toastmasters club that helped her acclimate to a new city and role. Joyce also opens up about her hobbies, including learning guitar and watching movies, and how creating a schedule has helped her stay on track and achieve her goals. Join us as we explore the transformative impact of adopting her cat, Haoqi, and the positive outlook she maintains in life. Tune in for insights on education, personal growth, and the joy of embracing change!

In this episode, Coco shares her journey of landing a new job after a 5-month gap. She attributes her success in overcoming self-doubt to two key factors: seeking advice from an experienced mentor and having the unwavering support of a close friend. Coco also opens up about her struggles with interpersonal communication and emphasizes the importance of feeling supported in building quality relationships. We explore whether positivity and negativity are culturally influenced, sparking an open discussion. Additionally, we reflect on how our Galaxy club has been a supportive environment for both club activities and personal growth. As life goes on, the best way to repay the love we've received is by paying it forward.

In this episode, we delve into the journey of finding safety and stability as a freelancer, sharing insights on routines, habits, and the balance between work and life. We explore the significance of making friends with time, inspired by "Atomic Habits," and how small, consistent efforts, like a 15-minute daily challenge, can lead to meaningful change. The conversation then covers the early struggles of freelancing, the transition to a more balanced lifestyle, and the importance of self-discipline in achieving long-term goals. We also discuss the path to starting a social media influencer journey, reflecting on the value of expressing emotions genuinely, understanding the five love languages, and finding connections that truly resonate. Finally, we talk about living authentically, stepping away from others’ expectations, and celebrating the small victories that bring joy to everyday life. Join us as we explore how to build safety and stability and live a life full of purpose and connection.

In this episode, we explore various topics, starting with observations of kids playing at a birthday party. We discuss how screens often distract us adults from focusing on a single task. We also highlight the importance of good sleep for both body and brain health. Lastly, we reflect on how children express their emotions genuinely, and question why, as we grow up, we seem to lose this ability. Are we simply performing for others? Do we always need to present the best version of ourselves?