Justin was motivated to join Toastmasters after a humiliating experience giving a speech at a friend's 50th birthday party. Despite thinking he was a decent public speaker, his jokes fell flat, and the speech was poorly received. This moment of realization pushed him to seek improvement, leading him to discover Toastmasters. His first experience at a Toastmasters meeting involved participating in a table topic, where his joke succeeded, contrasting with his earlier failure.

Justin has been a member of Blue Mountains for six years, during which time he has grown to appreciate Toastmasters for its community and the opportunity to develop speaking skills. He compares the club to an old-fashioned philosopher’s club, where members share stories from their lives. He finds it surprising how much he learns about others' lives just by attending meetings. Toastmasters has also given him insights into the importance of effective communication, particularly respecting others in conversations.

Justin has grown reflective in his speeches and enjoys inspiring others, although humor used to be a significant part of his style. Through Toastmasters, he has improved his timing and gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in delivering a good speech. He values the relationships he has built and the personal growth he has experienced, particularly gaining confidence both in speaking and in life.