“Turn Around” by Zifang “Sherrie” Su, 2018 World Championship of Public Speaking® 2nd Place Winner

Summary

Sherrie Su shares her journey of overcoming fear through personal anecdotes and the power of communication. From witnessing her parents' tumultuous relationship to facing her own fears in relationships and public speaking, Sherrie's story highlights the transformative impact of confronting, rather than avoiding, what scares us. Her Toastmasters experience, where she met her future husband, illustrates how embracing challenges can lead to personal growth and happiness.

Takeaways

• 🌟 'Turn Around' is a speech by Sherrie Su that uses the metaphor of a stage to represent life's challenges and the importance of facing fears.
• 😨 Sherrie's childhood was marked by fear due to her parents' constant fighting, which led her to avoid confrontation by turning away.
• 🏠 The pivotal moment when Sherrie was forced to choose between her parents at the age of seven was a significant source of her fear and avoidance.
• 💔 Sherrie's fear of relationships was rooted in her parents' tumultuous marriage, which lasted for 15 years and deeply affected her.
• 🏙️ After college, Sherrie's move to a big city was an attempt to escape her past, but she found loneliness there, which was even scarier than her fears.
• 🗣️ Sherrie's friend Lily introduced her to Toastmasters, a public speaking club, which initially seemed as daunting as her other fears.
• 👦 Meeting Jim at Toastmasters was a turning point; despite initial fears, Sherrie found him to be endearing and supportive.
• 🔄 The internal struggle Sherrie faced with Jim, fearing the potential for a repeat of her parents' relationship, was a significant hurdle for her.
• 💑 Jim's persistence and understanding helped Sherrie to face her fears, leading to a successful relationship and marriage.
• 💬 Sherrie's experience with Toastmasters not only improved her communication skills but also played a crucial role in overcoming her fears and personal growth.
• 🌈 The speech concludes with a call to action, encouraging the audience to face their fears and turn around to embrace the potential for beauty and growth.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Sherrie Su's speech?

The central theme of Sherrie Su's speech is overcoming fear by turning around to face it, rather than turning one's back on it.

Why did Sherrie feel scared as a child during dinner?

Sherrie felt scared as a child because her parents were having a heated argument, which escalated to the point where her mother knocked over the bowls and plates, causing red tomato sauce to splash on the wall.

What difficult choice did Sherrie's mother present to her?

Sherrie's mother presented her with the difficult choice of deciding whether to live with her mother or her father after she decided to leave.

How did Sherrie's childhood experiences with her parents' fighting affect her adult life?

Sherrie's childhood experiences with her parents' fighting led her to fear relationships and people, causing her to turn her back on them, which in turn led to feelings of loneliness and misery.

What role did Toastmasters play in Sherrie's life?

Toastmasters played a significant role in Sherrie's life by providing her with a supportive community and a platform to improve her communication skills, which helped her face her fears.

Who is Jim in the context of Sherrie's story?

Jim is a member of Toastmasters who approached Sherrie and eventually became her support system, helping her to face her fears and leading to their marriage.

What advice did Jim give Sherrie regarding her fear of relationships?

Jim advised Sherrie that what scares her now might bring her the most beautiful thing and encouraged her to give it a chance by turning around and facing her fears.

How did Sherrie's perspective on her parents change after marrying Jim?

After marrying Jim, Sherrie's perspective on her parents changed as she and Jim became their marriage consultants, indicating a shift from fear to a position of support and guidance.

What is the significance of the tomato sauce on the wall in Sherrie's story?

The tomato sauce on the wall symbolizes the chaos and fear in Sherrie's childhood home, and her father's question about cleaning it represents the burden of dealing with the aftermath of her parents' conflict.

What does Sherrie mean when she asks the audience if they are turning their back on their fear?

Sherrie is encouraging the audience to confront their fears instead of avoiding them, drawing a parallel to her own experiences and the theme of her speech.