In this inspiring episode, Ramona Moodley shares her journey from shy child to confident communicator, blending personal transformation with professional growth.

Ramona joined Toastmasters in August 2024, seeking to move from knowing what makes a good speaker to truly embodying it. She calls Toastmasters her “bicycle” — a place to practice, fall, and improve through doing. She's now a member of three clubs, driven by a love of learning and growth in high-pressure environments.

Her speaking journey began at age five with her mom’s homemade coaching. As a painfully shy child, she noticed how confident kids got ahead. That realization stayed with her. Later, she entered beauty pageants from age 12 to 22 — not for fame, but to build confidence. Watching and mimicking winners under pressure gave her essential life and speaking skills.

After earning her engineering degree, Ramona was hired by McKinsey and later completed an MBA at Berkeley. Her consulting work emphasized clear, purposeful communication, reinforcing that great messaging starts long before the final presentation. After moving to Australia in late 2023, she turned to Toastmasters to continue developing as a communicator and to find a new community.

She also started a YouTube channel but found herself nervous in front of the camera — even when alone. Toastmasters helped her shift focus from herself to the message, reducing her nerves and increasing her impact.

Now preparing for a district speech competition, she works with coaches and aims to create speeches that connect deeply with any audience. She also runs Master the Toolkit, a company teaching communication and problem-solving skills.

Her parting advice:
“What are you waiting for? Please join. We’re waiting to welcome you.”