Some of you know that I recently joined Toastmasters. Last Thursday, I was asked to introduce myself by giving my first speech called The Ice Breaker. The objective? To begin speaking in front of an audience while focusing on the skills you already have… and the ones that need a little work. And yes, you only get four to six minutes!
I’d like to share my Ice Breaker speech with you, titled “The Battle Within.”
Was I nervous? You betcha.
Did I stumble? Oh yeah… but I kept going and finished.
And get this—I won Best Speech of the night. Go figure.
You just never know what can happen when you step out of your comfort zone and simply try.
Thank you, Mr. Toastmaster.
Hi, I’m Mary Ann. I’m a published author currently working as an Inside Sales rep for a customer service company in Sugar Land, Texas. I have been happily married to my best friend for 22 years, and I have four amazing children and two adorable grandchildren.
I was born in New York and raised in Miami. My parents separated when I was 3 and divorced by the time I was 5.
I lived with my single mother, and we were dirt poor.
When there’s no money, you don’t have shoes… and eviction notices come often.
When there’s no food, you’re hungry all the time. And when there’s no love, you feel invisible.
I was forced to grow up too fast, wearing shoes too big for my feet, becoming my mother’s mother. And it crippled me emotionally.
I was ashamed of where I came from. I believed the “good life” was for other people, the kids who went to summer camp, took swimming lessons, and joined Girl Scouts. I was always on the outside, looking in.
As a teenager, that shame turned into bitterness. I thought I could do better than my mother… but instead, I ran into the arms of a man twice my age.
He was an alcoholic. A womanizer. Controlling. And I was drowning in insecurity.
I wore a mask to hide my low self-worth—but it only clouded my vision.
We married. By 22, I had four children. To him, I was nothing more than a baby machine. He fed my insecurities daily and made sure I never forgot my place—beneath him.
I didn’t think I deserved better… so I stayed for 15 years. Until one day, I finally grew up.
But the real turning point came when I returned to the God of my grandparents. That’s when healing began. My mind. My past. My broken emotions.
Today, I understand something I didn’t back then: what I endured didn’t break me… it built me.
A few years ago, I began writing my memoir for my children. I wanted them to understand my story, the struggles, the pain, but more importantly, the truth:
Your past does not have to define your future.
My current husband encouraged me to share it with other women. He told me, “You don’t just need to write this… you need to speak it.”
He was right.
Now, I won’t lie to you—the battle within didn’t just disappear. I still fight insecurity. I still wrestle with self-worth. But now—I don’t fight alone.
I know God is with me. His grace carried me then, and it carries me now.
And I’ve learned something powerful: The battles I face are not mine—they are His.
In my book, Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace, I share the journey of a young girl who refused to be defined by her circumstances—and found healing through her brokenness.
Because we all have a story.
And no matter where you come from…you are still a person of worth. It all starts with a made-up mind.
I joined Toastmasters because I’m ready to find my voice—not just on paper, but out loud. Because it’s one thing to write a story… and it’s another thing to stand, look people in the eye, and speak it.
I know I have something to say. And I want to say it well.
Thank you.
From Heart to Heritage
Reflections From the Heart 
Inspiring. So glad you decided to share your story.
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I’m honored. Thank you for commenting.
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Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for stopping by! Love your writing!
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Thanks so much!
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Reblogged this on David Snape and Friends – The place to show off your hidden talents.
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Hi Mary!
Well done! That’s not just a great speech but a beautiful testimony of the power of God. I’m sure it’s an opportunity for others to look to God for hope as well.
Praying all is well with your husband and every family member. God bless you! 🙂
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Thank you, Shade. God is my hope when things look bleak and hopeless …
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Well done my friend… excellent!
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Hugs to you, girlfriend!
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That was an inspiring speech! How courageous to share such intimate details. Congratulations. I’ve always wondered about Toastmasters but not really sure what they’re all about.
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Thank you so much! Have you ever been to a writers’ critique group? Well, this is like a a critique speaking group and you’ll have different assignments and tasks to participate. It develops confidence, etc. May I suggest that you visit a couple closest to you? (No two are alike.) Let me know 🙂
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Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! There are so many to choose from! I’m sure you can visit several and check them out in your area. “Never too old to learn!” Cheers! 🙂
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Hi Mary, good job on your speech. I’ve never heard of toast masters, now I do. Hearing your story always amaze me with your strength. After meeting you I do believe and I know that you will be successful in your future with your insecurities and I know you will make one great speaker one of the best.
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Geri! How have you been? I think about you from time to time, how could I not? I’ll never forget when I was a guest and took part at your wonderful book club, how you honored me with a two page hand-written letter! I covet your prayers. Thank you so much for your encouragement and pushing me onward! Hugs!
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You are an over-comer, and have my respect and admiration. I have close relationships with some men in our church who like myself have come through addictions and all sorts of destructive backgrounds that should have killed them, or left them for dead on life’s battlefield. But as they met and came to know Jesus, everything changed. Now like you, they are examples of how to deal with the past and move on to a life full of grace and potential, in spite of the dents in their souls. And they can say to others “Hey, I’ve been there. Get up. Let’s go forward.”
So happy for your boldness to speak up in public. You will touch and influence many lives. Would love to hear you. Bravo, and blessings. crossingpaths.net
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Thanks for stopping by, Michael. Loved what you say about “dents in their souls.” Never in a million years would I ever imagined that God had anything like this in stored for me regarding my past! So glad that He continues to perfect all of us who looked to Him for guidance. Happy to know that you are a beacon to the men in your circle. Blessings to you!
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Wonderfully written! I bet it was even more powerful to have heard you speak. I see why you won. 🙂
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Appreciate your kind comments, Cheri. Like I said, I messed up a bit right from the get-go, but I continued and warmed up. I’ll see about sharing the audio of this speech next.
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I would love to hear it. 🙂
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((blushing)) stay tune …
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This is great. Your story sounds like Cinderella
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Thank you so much, although most times I feel like an ugly duckling. 🙂
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Well done Mary! Congrats. ❤️🦋❤️
Cate
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Thanks for the support, Cate.
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Bravo! You are an inspiration~
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Cindy, thanks for the compliment!
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Wonderful, Mary Ann!! 🌺🌺
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Thanks so much, Liz!
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