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.
Once we landed, it was she who became our guardian angel. While I retrieved our luggage, she stayed behind and waited patiently with Mark. When I returned, she volunteered to accompany me in fetching our rental car, even praying for a blessing over the remainder of our vacation. She walked with me back to where Mark was waiting, helped me load everything into the car, and politely waved goodbye to us. I truly felt she was an angel sent by God.
We were flooded with hugs, tears, and joy, and our bellies were full of my stepmother’s delicious Fricase de Pollo in no time. Due to all the medication my husband was on, he hadn’t had much of an appetite, but I was certain it would return with all the anticipated Puerto Rican cuisine.
The next day after a warm breakfast, we drove into Ft. Lauderdale to visit Big Brother, his wife, and their three strapping sons. While the 
big boys played a game of chess, we gals went grocery shopping. When we returned, Mark was ready to call it a day. The pain from his ribs was causing him misery.
The anticipated meal did not disappoint. 
Although quite tasty, the star entree wasn’t the pavo but the pernil, the traditional Puerto Rican pork shoulder. Not to be outdone, there were a couple of large pans of my stepmother’s delicious arroz con gandules. This was a Thanksgiving feast at its best! I believe we ate until we couldn’t eat another bite; hardly any room for dessert.
I published my memoirs just last year. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people along the way who’ve become fans of my work. I was thrilled when they asked for my autograph and wanted their pictures taken with me. I love feedback. I am touched when a reader shares how my story has inspired them. I feel honored and validated. Sure, it feeds my ego; it blows me away. And when I’m asked to attend a speaking engagement, a book club, or a ladies’ conference, it’s a humbling experience and never ceases to amaze me. But if I’m honest, stress also comes with the territory. I may sometimes be a nervous wreck and even lose my train of thought. I confess I don’t know what you see in me; I certainly haven’t forgotten from whence I’ve come from. I still notice my flaws. Don’t laugh, but I don’t even like watching myself on video, let alone listening to myself via audio.
From Heart to Heritage
Reflections From the Heart 