Yanbin got a "gold medal" for his short speech!

Yanbin speaking!

In our "Olympics" themed Toastmasters meeting, our wonderful Table Topics Master Kelley Pullman brought us a series of topics on the spirits and characteristics of athletes, and how they related to our own life. I elbowed Yanbin onto the stage (haha), and he ended up got the best Table Topics Speaker award out of the 10-ish speakers, so proud!

His topic was "mentors that you look up to". When Yanbin was a teen, he studied Judo professionally in a martial arts school. This means he was trained intensively as a students in martial arts, but didn't get enough education on regular school work, such as maths. Eventually, he decided to quit the school, so that he can get regular education. It took him lots of hard work to catch up with others. At the time, a teacher of his gave him great encouragement. Even after he graduated, the teacher kept writing letters to him, giving tips on how to study better. He always remembers this teacher, and thinks she's an angel sent by heaven.

In the past years, I also have mentors just like this teacher, who has been always having confidence in me, even when I didn't have confidence in myself. I couldn't be where I am right now without their confirmation and encouragement. If you have one or more mentors in your life as well, appreciate the trust and confidence they have in you, because when you look back years later, you will realize the amazing differences they've made in you.