12/08/2026
✨MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Zak! 🎤
Ever wondered what pushes someone to step up to the mic when public speaking doesn't come naturally? For Zak, it was simple: his desire to improve was bigger than the nerves.
We caught up with Zak to talk about why taking the plunge at Thamesdown Speakers is worth every second. 👇
Q: Why did you first join Thamesdown Speakers, and what’s kept you coming back?
"Public speaking is something that never came easy to me, however I always admired those who were able to do it so comfortably. So, despite not enjoying it, my desire to improve outweighed my feelings towards it. The format of the evening is so effective to achieve the overall goal of becoming better speakers that I honestly believe there is no better way to do this."
Q: What’s the single biggest win or surprise you’ve experienced since joining?
"How professional yet relaxed the whole evening is."
Q: Which Toastmasters role have you enjoyed the most so far, and why?
"I enjoyed doing the Table Topics Master role! It needed a lot more thought than I originally anticipated and was great fun coming up with a mix of serious and silly topics to get people talking."
Q: What’s your go-to tip for managing pre-speech nerves?
"Keep your focus on yourself, not on everyone else. Focus on what you’re about to say, not on what you think everyone will be thinking while you’re saying it. And try to enjoy it!"
Q: Outside of Toastmasters, what are you currently excited about?
"Trying to run a sub-18-minute 5K!" 🏃💨
Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about visiting as a guest?
"Just give it a go, you won't regret it!"
Inspired by Zak’s story? Come along to our next meeting as a guest; your first visit is completely free! Message us for details
