2023 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking: Jocelyn Tyson

Summary

In the summer of 2021, Jocelyn Tyson faced a milestone birthday and chose to tackle a triathlon despite her fears. Her journey was marked by internal struggles between self-doubt and determination. After eight months of training, she faced the daunting race day, where she initially hesitated but ultimately overcame her fears and completed the swim, bike, and run. Tyson's story is a testament to the power of inner strength and the choice between being one's own worst critic or biggest cheerleader.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The speaker, Jocelyn Tyson, chose to celebrate a milestone birthday by attempting a triathlon, showcasing the power of setting ambitious personal goals.
• 🏊‍♀️ Despite initial hesitations and self-doubt, Jocelyn's decision to listen to her 'inner go-getter' highlights the importance of overcoming internal critics.
• 🚴‍♀️ The speaker's preparation for the triathlon, including jogging, borrowing a bike, and taking swim lessons, emphasizes the value of dedicated training and preparation.
• 🌊 Jocelyn's struggle with the open water swim during the race illustrates the challenge of applying skills in unfamiliar environments.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The support from her family and the audience at the race underscores the role of external encouragement in overcoming fears and obstacles.
• 🔄 The moment of panic and the decision to flip onto her back and start the backstroke represent a turning point, demonstrating the ability to adapt in the face of adversity.
• 🚦 The lifeguard's advice to consider quitting and Jocelyn's decision to continue highlight the struggle between self-doubt and perseverance.
• 🚴‍♀️ The physical and mental exhaustion Jocelyn experienced during the bike and run portions of the triathlon reflect the grueling nature of endurance events.
• 🏁 The speaker's completion of the triathlon, despite the challenges, serves as a testament to the power of determination and the ability to push through discomfort.
• 💪 The final message encourages the audience to find their 'inner go-getter' and to believe in their capabilities, as encapsulated by the quote from Henry Ford.

Q & A

What significant event was Jocelyn Tyson preparing for during the summer of 2021?

Jocelyn Tyson was preparing for a triathlon, which was a milestone birthday celebration for her.

What are the three disciplines involved in a triathlon?

The three disciplines involved in a triathlon are swimming, biking, and running.

What was Jocelyn's initial reaction to the idea of participating in a triathlon?

Jocelyn's initial reaction was a mix of excitement and doubt, with her 'inner go-getter' eager to participate and her 'inner critic' expressing concerns about her abilities in swimming, biking, and running.

How did Jocelyn Tyson overcome her fear of swimming in open water during the race?

Jocelyn overcame her fear by flipping onto her back and starting the backstroke, despite the lack of grace and beauty in her swimming.

What mistake did Jocelyn make during the swim portion of the triathlon?

Jocelyn swam in the wrong direction, going 50 meters off course before being corrected by a lifeguard.

What advice did the lifeguard give Jocelyn during the swim?

The lifeguard advised Jocelyn to consider quitting the swim portion of the race, acknowledging that she could still finish the bike and run parts.

How did Jocelyn Tyson feel after completing the swim portion of the triathlon?

Jocelyn felt exhausted, with her legs feeling like lead and her lungs on fire, but she was determined to continue.

What internal struggle did Jocelyn Tyson face during the run portion of the triathlon?

Jocelyn faced an internal struggle between her 'inner critic' who questioned why she was still participating, and her 'inner go-getter' who encouraged her to finish what she started.

What quote from Henry Ford did Jocelyn Tyson reference in her speech?

Jocelyn Tyson referenced Henry Ford's quote, 'Whether you think you can or you think you can't. You're right.'

What was the main message Jocelyn Tyson wanted to convey to the audience?

The main message was to look deep within oneself to find the 'inner go-getter' and to let it push you further, as it can help overcome challenges and achieve goals.

How did Jocelyn Tyson's experience in the triathlon relate to other life decisions and challenges?

Jocelyn Tyson's experience in the triathlon symbolized the internal conflict and decision-making process that can occur in various life situations, such as starting a new job, undergoing medical treatment, or making significant life changes.

Outlines

00:00

🏊‍♀️ Facing Fears: The Triathlon Challenge

Jocelyn Tyson shares her inspiring story of overcoming self-doubt to participate in a triathlon on her milestone birthday in the summer of 2021. Despite initial enthusiasm from her 'inner go-getter,' she faced a barrage of criticisms from her 'inner critic' regarding her lack of swimming skills and minimal biking experience. Choosing to follow her go-getter, she signed up for the race and began rigorous training, which included jogging, borrowing a bike, and taking swim lessons. On race day, she encountered a significant hurdle when the dark, unfamiliar waters of the lake triggered a panic attack, causing her to hesitate at the start. With the support of her family and the pressure of onlookers, she made the decision to enter the water and began her race, albeit with a comedic start where she swam in the wrong direction. Despite the lifeguard's advice to consider quitting, Jocelyn chose to persevere, demonstrating the power of determination and the ability to overcome内心的fears.

05:01

🚴‍♀️ Perseverance Over Obstacles: The Race Continues

After overcoming the initial challenge of the swim, Jocelyn Tyson describes her struggle to complete the bike portion of the triathlon, which she managed to finish despite her exhaustion. As she transitioned to the run, her 'inner critic' questioned her decision to continue, but her 'inner go-getter' motivated her to push through. She vividly describes the physical strain of the race, with her legs feeling like lead and her lungs on fire, yet she managed to cross the finish line. Jocelyn reflects on the broader implications of her experience, drawing parallels to other significant life decisions and challenges, such as starting a new job or undergoing medical treatments. She emphasizes the importance of internal belief in one's capabilities, citing Henry Ford's quote, 'Whether you think you can or you think you can't. You're right.' Jocelyn concludes by urging the audience to find their inner go-getter and to use it to push beyond their limits, ending with a reflective question to the audience, 'I've been there. Have you?'

Keywords

💡Triathlon

A triathlon is a multisport race that involves three continuous and sequential endurance events: swimming, cycling, and running. In the script, the speaker chose to participate in a triathlon as a way to challenge herself on a milestone birthday. The triathlon serves as a metaphor for overcoming personal challenges and pushing beyond perceived limitations.

💡Inner go-getter

The inner go-getter represents the optimistic and proactive part of one's psyche that encourages taking on challenges and pursuing goals. In the narrative, the speaker's inner go-getter motivates her to sign up for the triathlon, embodying the spirit of determination and self-belief.

💡Inner critic

The inner critic is the voice of self-doubt and negativity that can hinder one's progress by focusing on fears and perceived inadequacies. In the script, the speaker's inner critic tries to dissuade her from participating in the triathlon, highlighting the internal conflict between ambition and self-doubt.

💡Bucket list

A bucket list refers to a collection of experiences or achievements that one wants to accomplish in their lifetime. The speaker's decision to do a triathlon stems from her desire to complete an item on her bucket list, illustrating the pursuit of personal fulfillment and life experiences.

💡Training

Training in the context of the script refers to the rigorous preparation and practice the speaker underwent to participate in the triathlon. It symbolizes the effort and discipline required to achieve a goal, as the speaker trained every day for eight months to be ready for the race.

💡Race day

Race day is the term used to describe the day of the actual event or competition. In the script, it marks the culmination of the speaker's training and the moment of truth where she faces her fears and challenges head-on.

💡Panic

Panic, as used in the script, refers to the overwhelming fear and anxiety the speaker experiences at the start of the swim, which prevents her from immediately jumping into the water. It demonstrates the real and intense emotions that can arise when facing daunting tasks.

💡Backstroke

The backstroke is a swimming style where the swimmer lies on their back and moves through the water with alternating arm movements and leg kicks. The speaker uses the backstroke to begin her swim, despite it being a less efficient choice, highlighting her determination to start the race despite her fears.

💡Lifeguard

A lifeguard is a person trained in aquatic rescue, responsible for the safety of swimmers. In the script, lifeguards offer both practical advice and encouragement to the speaker, representing external support systems that can influence one's ability to overcome challenges.

💡Finish line

The finish line symbolizes the end goal or the completion of a race or challenge. For the speaker, crossing the finish line represents not only the completion of the triathlon but also the triumph over her fears and self-doubt.

💡Inner go-getter vs. inner critic

This concept represents the ongoing internal dialogue between one's motivating and demotivating thoughts. Throughout the script, the speaker's inner go-getter and inner critic represent the struggle between confidence and fear, which is a central theme in the narrative of overcoming personal challenges.

Highlights

Jocelyn Tyson decided to skip her milestone birthday party and choose a triathlon off her bucket list.

Triathlon consists of three disciplines: Swim, bike, run.

Jocelyn's inner go-getter and critic had conflicting opinions on participating in the triathlon.

She chose to follow her inner go-getter and signed up for the race.

Jocelyn started training, including jogging, borrowing a bike, and taking swim lessons.

After eight months of daily training, she felt ready for the race.

On race day, Jocelyn faced the challenge of swimming in open water, which was a new experience for her.

She initially struggled with the transition from pool swimming to open water swimming.

Jocelyn had a moment of panic at the start of the swim, unable to put her face in the dark water.

She made the decision to flip over and start the backstroke, despite the challenges.

During the swim, Jocelyn was told she was going the wrong way, which was a setback.

A lifeguard advised her to consider quitting the swim portion of the race.

Jocelyn chose to ignore the advice and continued swimming, demonstrating determination.

She completed the swim and moved on to the bike portion of the triathlon.

Despite exhaustion, Jocelyn managed to finish the 12-mile bike ride.

She then faced the final challenge of the run, where her inner critic questioned her decision to continue.

Jocelyn's inner go-getter motivated her to finish the race, overcoming her dislike for running.

She crossed the finish line, accomplishing her goal and overcoming her fears.

Jocelyn reflected on the importance of making decisions and overcoming challenges in life.

She emphasized the power of the inner go-getter and the potential it holds to push oneself further.

Jocelyn concluded her speech by encouraging the audience to find their inner go-getter for future challenges.

Transcripts

Jocelyn Tyson,

"Have You Been There?"

"Have You Been There?"

Jocelyn Tyson.

Thank you,

Contest Chair.

You're welcome.

It was the summer of 2021, and I was reaching a milestone birthday.

I decided to skip the party and pick something epic off my bucket list:

Triathlon.

For those of you unfamiliar, it is a race

that contains three disciplines: Swim, bike, run.

Now, almost immediately, my inner go-getter said, "Yeah, let's do this! Show 'em

you still got it."

But my inner critic:

"Slow down, hot stuff.

You hate swimming.

You barely bike, and girl,

wait a minute,

that swimming thing,

you can't do it!"

And just like that, I had two warring sides,

both with logical explanations for why I should or shouldn't do it.

A decision to make. This one, yes.

That one, no. Have you been there?

I decided to go with my inner go-getter.

I signed up for the race. I started jogging,

I borrowed a bike, and yes, friends,

I took swim lessons.

And after eight months straight of training every day,

I was ready.

It's race day.

People are lined up along the banks

of a lake, ready to start the first part, the swim.

They blow the whistle and the race is off.

I, on the other hand, am still at the bank

of the lake. Why?

You see, friends,

my brain cannot seem to understand that the water, the dark,

dreary, cedar water, was the same water that I had learned to swim in at the pool.

There it was clear, you could see to the bottom.

But this, this was darkness.

I go to put my face in and I couldn't do it.

I couldn't do it.

I started to panic.

I look over to my right.

I see my family. They're looking back at me. What's wrong?

I look over to the other side and

I can see all the people lined up to see the start of the race.

They're watching me.

And behind me are the people coming up for their next wave of the swim.

I had a choice to make. Go forward into the water

or go back home

from where I came.

A situation.

This one,

yes. That one, no.

Have you been there?

I chose to do the only thing any would do with that logical situation.

I flipped over on my back and started the backstroke.

Now, swimming

has a certain grace, a beauty, if you will.

This had neither grace nor beauty.

This was not swimming.

This was surviving.

I'm knocking into people, bumping into things,

knocking things over

and around, all things going on, all the while hyperventilating before I realize

I heard it.

"Ma'am, you're going the wrong way!"

All I could think to myself at that time was,

I wonder who they're talking to.

"Ma'am,

322, you're going the wrong way."

322. No, no, I'm 322.

I look over.

I am 50 meters off course.

Now in swim time that's not too bad,

but for me, it was everything.

I had to stop, get myself together,

and I got back on course.

Now, there are lifeguards spread out along the lake in canoes.

I swim up to one of the canoes.

The lifeguard, she looks over the boat.

She looks at me and says, "Ma'am, you really need to think this through,

okay? Look, you can still finish the race.

We'll let you finish the bike. We'll let you finish the run.

But you might want to think about quitting this."

And I understood where she was coming from.

There was a lot going on.

My inner critic agreed with her all the more.

"You're in over your head,

like 12 feet to be exact.

Quitting sounds like a smart move right now."

I looked up at her. I let go.

I kept on swimming.

I went on for another few more meters before I grabbed hold of another canoe.

That lifeguard leaned over and she said to me, "You're doing good.

Not much further.

You got this."

Advice.

This one, yes.

That one, no.

Have you been there?

I let go.

I finished the swim.

I'm staggering up the bank. My legs feel like lead.

My lungs are on fire.

I'm coughing out water, all the while exhausted.

I get to the bike. I fall up on top of the bike,

one foot in front of the other as I pedal.

To this day, I have no clue how I finished those 12 miles, but I got them done.

When I finished, I tossed the bike to the side.

I have now the run to do.

At this point, my inner critic steps out bold and says,

"You still have a third to do?

You hate running.

Why are we still here?"

At this point, my inner

go-getter steps out and says,

"We only have a third left to do.

You trained for this. Yes!

Yes! We're still here."

I shimmy, shod, struggle, trouble,

stanky legs all the way across to clear that finish line.

I had done what I intended.

That race took a lot out of me,

but I took more out of it.

Whether you have to make a big decision,

overcome a situation, take advice,

or just finish what you started.

These are things that can happen in life,

can have two warring sides. This one,

yes. That one, no.

And both can come with logical explanations

on what you should or shouldn't do it.

Do I start a new job?

Do I begin chemo?

Do I finish chemo?

Do I move? Do I start a new family?

Whether you think you can or you think you can't.

You're right.

It was said by Henry Ford,

"Because what matters most is what is within you." Friends,

you can be your worst critic.

No one knows your weaknesses or your flaws like you do.

But at the same time, you can be your biggest cheerleader,

and no one can push you further or take you higher.

I implore you, no, I beg you, look deep within on that next challenge.

Find your inner

go-getter

and see how far it can push you.

I've been there.

Have you? Contest Chair.