Email this article to a friend

Have you ever received one of those calls? “I went to the doctor and…”

I got one very recently — it was from one of my mentors. He had gone in for a check-up and they had “found something.” Fortunately, it was early enough that he’s now out of danger. My mentor told me that he had gone in for his check-up because he remembered the message from my World Championship acceptance speech! I was shocked!

Wow. That was eight years ago!

After winning the Toastmasters World Championship, I got the opportunity to give an acceptance speech that “wrote itself” in the middle of the night weeks prior to the contest. In my speech, I gave a public service announcement that men over 40 should get a PSA test. My speech was dedicated to two men in my life — a comedy mentor, Dave Fitzgerald, who had passed away a year before, and my dad. Dave had blood in his urine and waited almost a year before he went to the doctor. Though he survived four years, it could have been caught earlier.

My father, thanks to prompting from my mom, did go and get the PSA test. They “found something” and ended up having to operate on my dad. He had just recovered enough from the surgery to travel to California to watch me compete in the speech contest.

My acceptance speech that day was not eloquent. It was not polished.

My grammar was worse than usual… but, boy, it came from gratitude and my heart. So much so that I openly blubbered. I even asked “Is crying a gesture?” I had so much emotion, the blood vessels in my forehead turned me into a Klingon! Even though it was far from perfect, after the contest I had just as many comments on my acceptance speech as I did no my winning speech.

I heard Lou Holtz speak at an NSA conference years ago and he said, “When you’re speaking, it doesn’t matter where your hands are. Just have something to say and a burning desire to say it.” Sometimes we get so caught up trying to impress others with our speech on the outside, that we forget to give it from the inside.

I can still remember the theme from one of my District Governors, Dan Jones, “Speeches Reach Deep.” I vividly remember his district logo from the early 90s. It was a cross section of a tree, where you could see that the roots of the tree went into the ground just as far as the tree reached for the stars.

I’m not sure if my speech truly saved my mentor’s life. But he told me it did.

Sometimes we’re given an incredible opportunity to influence others. My intent that day was to truly help others and give sincere appreciation. My heart told me that was the speech I needed to give if I had the opportunity. Great speeches do reach deep. They can live inside other people for years. Next time you’re given the chance, will you not worry so much about your hands… and just speak from your heart?

Want to see my acceptance speech? Click here and scroll down to the third video on the page.

Stage time,

Darren LaCroix
2001 World Champion of Public Speaking

This Week’s Video Clip:

Three presentation tips from watching Elton John:

• • • • ASK DARREN • • • •

QUESTION: “Why are you retiring from Toastmasters District Conferences?”

P.S. What are you thankful for this holiday season?

P.P.S. Last Chance to get the Introductory Special… ends tonight, Thursday, December 17th!

Speak Outside of Your Club for Fun, Profit, and Club-Building
and
Secrets from a World Champion Speaker Coach
CLICK HERE to get details!