2024 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking: Luisa Montalvo

Luisa Montalvo, from District 55, Region 3, won with a speech titled, "37 Strangers."
To learn more about the World Championship of Public Speaking(R) visit toastmasters.org/events/2024-international-convention/worldchampionshipofpublicspeaking . Please see the Toastmasters International website about Trademarks and Copyrights by visiting toastmasters.org/Footer/Conditions-of-Use.

[@saraplyler]

Congratulations, Luisa! What a speech!❤ From a classmate of PSJA '77...continued blessings❤❤❤❤❤

[@luisamontalvo106]

YAY!!! Go BEARS!!! Who is this???

[@RichHopkins]

My friend, congratulations! You didn't just come back to life, your brought your audience to life along with you! Enjoy your victory and always, #WinAnyway!

[@jeffdavisauthor]

Fantastic speech! I love how Luisa kept it conversational, it felt like you were sitting at the kitchen table having a conversation with her. Heartwarming, clear message, and powerful perspective.

[@Harshaenthusiast]

Congratulations Luisa, every passing second of the speech was nerve cracking and very inspiring. I could live those 6 minutes as you experienced and narrated as your best 6 minutes of sleep. You will always be that ‘stranger’ going forward reminding the importance of self-value. Thank you so much for that bit of motivation and inspiration.

[@KirtiKumarKasat1]

Oh man, I was stunned when i saw her in the wheelchair. What an inspiring speech 😮

[@johan5949]

Congrats Luisa! The most important tool I got from your speech is to remind myself that importance of self-worth - we don't need its validation from others' before we accept it ourselves. Congrats on winning such an impactful 100 year event of Toastmaster's and I am glad to see that your alive, changing lives and still living life to its fullest! 🚀🏆

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you for your beautiful words!

[@Yolanda-q2h]

I am beyond so proud of you! You are a great inspiration to me and many others.

[@DrLinJocom]

Still crying. I’m sharing this everywhere!!! I missed your speech live on zoom but said you were the winner when I heard your witty explanation of how you got your speech title… I got 37 invoices in the mail from 37 strangers 😂 bittersweet. Powerful. Inspiring

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you and glad you liked the humor!!

[@suhwelee]

Thank you so much for your message. I am so glad to learn from your uplifting spirit. As an over 70-year-old lady, after being abandoned by the world as an elderly, I felt that was it-the end of my life. But I couldn’t find the exit. As a distinguished Toastmaster for over 20 years, battling aging and memory degradation, I have created a new life plan with schedules, target objectives, and milestones for my brave new life.

[@luisamontalvo106]

My dear, I’m so sorry you felt the world abandoned you. Sometimes life can be cruel. You say you couldn’t find the exit. This hurt my heart. Yet here you are finding new ways to navigate through this amazing life we know as you!! I applaud you and commend you. As a stranger, please know that I can see your value and worth! Congratulations on still sharing your life with us. ❤

[@ivanamiranda234]

Laughing and crying all at once. Simply beautiful. Well done!!!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you so much!

[@HingstonLovell]

This speech is a trendsetter. Congratulations Champion!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Trendsetter! I like that!

[@donkaveen]

It was perfectly executed. Iv seen your 2019 speech. You had the same witty expressions, you carried the same energy. But this time it was more calm. Kept us hooked for entry of the speech. It was like listening to a story by grandma or grandpa. You graced the audience with inspiring story about resilience. Thank you.

[@clairaghassipour]

Fantastic speech Luisa! Loved the candor, the humor and the empowering message! Congratulations!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you so much!!

[@abundancemasterywithcoachagnes]

Congratulations! Well done, Luisa! Very inspiring! How wonderful God has kept you alive to bring impact to us through your story!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@CoachJurieW]

WOW! WHAT AN AMAZING SPEECH! all kinds of strangers believe in us and see value in us! Who are you to doubt your value!? There have been so much intelligent design and purpose mixed together to bring you into life!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@BobSalijeni]

Congratulations 🎈🎉🎊 Luisa for that powerful speech, reminding us of our uniqueness 😊

[@peggystreetinfluencer]

Luisa, your speech was well-constructed, well-delivered, and well-received by us, your audience, who needed to hear your words of wisdom. Thank you for changing our lives!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you for these beautiful words!

[@pattiadams]

WOW one of the best WCPS I have ever heard. Bless you Ms. Luisa Montalvo.

[@RNeloma]

Oh Wow!!! Absolutely brilliant. Congratulations & blessings!!!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@WilliamHungOfficial]

Amazing speech! It brings back memories when I survived COVID in 2020 and 2021. Congratulations!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Good to hear from you again!!!

[@donkaveen]

I survived covid thrice, with one round of dengue. This speech felt so hard.

[@muhammadomer4674]

Well done. Just perfect.

[@patriciadesa9028]

Congratulations! I heard about your winning speech in my TM club today, so raced here to watch it. What I loved most was your casual, comfortable style. I felt like you were in my living room talking to me. It's so unusual to see an ease like that on the world stage and it does take a special kind of talent, which you clearly have. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this gift that you have shared with 37+ strangers.

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you for you beautiful kind words!

[@ArthaDharma108]

Wow ...wow ..amazing inspiring wonderful.. 37 people.....1700 people...

[@TheMandirina]

Wonderful and heartfelt speech ❤

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@charitymayamancio2572]

Amazing speech. Truly, one of the best. 🎉❤

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@ellenlinziwei]

i also asked that question before sometimes: why am I even here? Thank you, Luisa! You're the stranger to me but your speech lets me see my own value.

[@luisamontalvo106]

So glad to be the stranger for you!

[@ellenlinziwei]

@@luisamontalvo106 You're an inspiring stranger!

[@periclezng8405]

The message in the speech. Most inspiring ❤. We need to reconnect with our purpose for being here👌🏾

[@luisamontalvo106]

Absolutely!

[@carloslobatocpa8016]

Absolutely awesome speech... 37 strangers... wow!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Yes! Thank you!

[@alonitadoctor2257]

Another real life stories of substance for it talks about a life that must matter even after life on earth!😉 Worthy of my 7minutes! GOD our Maker is so good to remind all today through your voice. Thanks to to you & my kudos!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Glad you liked it.

[@Arvindpd2303]

Congratulations Luisa🎉🎉 for the winning the competition and yes, there is second chance! Clear.. very loud and clear !! God bless us 🙏

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@tafadzwamagurachataika6297]

Oh, the art of story telling. Amazing❤ Congratulations Louisa

[@Dee14444]

What an incredible speech! Goosebumps.

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@lindavorthman]

I laughed. I cried. I received your inspiration. What a winning speech.

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@janakaprasad8449]

Inspiring ! Congratulations ! Thank you Luisa !

[@debisigrest8673]

Luisa's heart is as big as Texas!! She is amazing!!!!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Awww thank you Debi!!! Love you guys!!!

[@justinthompson665]

Well done Luisa! Great speech and such a universal message!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@nampijjasliver2599]

Congratulations 👏 Louis for this inspiring speech 😊

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@suezylproctor]

Oh, I just love your spoken and subliminal message - Obstacles can become Opporunities. I wish I had been there in person to watch and listen to your speech, but even through this virtual portal, my breathing change a few times, I got choked up and when you stood up to conclude, goosebumps crawled all around my body. Congratulations Luisa Montalvo!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@opeyemimorakinyo6147]

Congratulations, Champion. Such a great message in a short time!

[@andreiarato9101]

Congratulations dear Luisa! What a inspiration! Thank you stranger!🤍

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!!!

[@gitelsarah]

Congratulations!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@MH-zr3re]

Wow! Thank you for the message.

[@TheMssFrancoisShow1]

Loved this from start to finish.. congratulations

[@jinedo58]

Congratulations Luisa 🎉 awesome speech

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!!

[@sreelathaparidala1088]

Hearty congratulations Luisa. Wow! What a inspirational spech it was. Amazinng.❤

[@LoRenOliveros]

Heartfelt! Congratulations! ❤

[@LevelUpTM]

Bravo, wonderful job, congratulations. Well deserved! We are the Level Up Toastmasters Hybrid Club out of Las Vegas!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Woohoo!! Go Level Up Toastmasters!!

[@LevelUpTM]

@@luisamontalvo106 Thank you so much!

[@LevelUpTM]

@@luisamontalvo106 We are so honored to have your support. You are our hero! Congratulations on your immense success. We know it came from tons of hard work and practice. Just fabulous!

[@rishiocity]

Luisa, your confidence is nothing short of inspiring!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@Ryan-q1b]

Great speech!

[@vongaichinyoka4540]

Incredible speech! Congratulations 🎉

[@certezaensalud]

❤ felicitaciones Luisa, seguramente también hubo grandes toastmasters que tuvieron que ver para que tú llegarás hasta ahí. Un abrazo 🤗 y sigue inspirando.

[@luisamontalvo106]

Absalutamente!!! Gracias!

[@PerissosHorizon]

Congratulations Luisa! We thank God for your life. ❤

[@luisamontalvo106]

Yes, I thank him for my life too!

[@americanboxer]

I'm so proud of you! Remember me when you are on your speaking and book tour!

[@tisharose7630]

Wow! So inspiring!!

[@sudhagomatinarayan7831]

Congratulations Luisa!

[@BharatLPatel]

Congratulations, Louisa. Your inspiration and dialogue with St. Peter and The God were phenomenal!

[@luisamontalvo106]

So glad you liked it!

[@anaryasharoglu2758]

Congratulations

[@michaelxie4321]

The storytelling is captivating. However, the video production appears amateurish, and the video quality is unfortunately quite disappointing. Watch how good it was in Kuala Lumpur in 2014.Dananjaya Hettiarachchi

[@TheNakedWombat]

An excellent speech.

[@mtariq295]

congratulations ma'am

[@Miraal_Ali]

"Strong people build each other " has always been my saying but Luisa , what strength, what courage and how beautifully you demonstrated that if 37 strangers can put that positive energy in you, see your value imagine what kind of inexpressibly beautiful human being we all can be by practicing this in our daily lives . Yes , I am up for more goodness. Reset done ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ World champion for a reason. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank YOU so much for YOUR beautiful and inspiring words!!!!

[@muzimncube4830]

🎉🎉 congratulations

[@chisengakabamba3376]

Amazing 👏

[@Jox9449]

So touching! 😢😮😊

[@sherryblake5587]

Awesome!

[@knowledgeshortforyou]

Wow really inspiring speech 💫💫.

[@maliileramashamole2004]

Congratulations Louisa 🎉❤

[@mbulahenimagdelinesithole8606]

Congratulations🎉🎉.

[@adigitalrushi]

Congratulations luisa well done. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@kuberchaurasiya]

Inspiring speech

[@AugustineMartin-uc1cg]

Felicitations Luisa, quite and impressive performance.🎊 Kindly aid me hit that restart button 😇🎤

[@luisamontalvo106]

Yes, I’m here to help you hit that reset button!

[@knowledgeshortforyou]

Congratulations Luisa ma'am 🎉🎉

[@marylupeflores3970]

Congratulations Luisa ❤

[@ayushkavtiyal]

Inspiring stuff❤, Thank you mam

[@luisamontalvo106]

You’re welcome.

[@shrenewable]

Amazing speech 🎉 However, Toastmasters International really needs to improve its video team.

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@76544af]

Inspiring story

[@therechargeroom8646]

WoW!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Wow, thank you!!

[@legendsofsleepyhollow8497]

❤

[@aster9930]

To those complaining on last year's winner for too much movement. Well there you go. A champion whose sit still in one spot💀

[@DJSC5618]

😅😅😅😂😂😂 bravo !!! 🎉🎉🎉 you nailed it here with this comment 😂

[@EleosTheofilusET]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@AngelaBusi190]

Congratulations champ and celebrating your 2nd chance at life …reset!

[@watchwhatthehealth4539]

❤congrats. Go VEGAN for the Animals and Justice. No difference between Dogs, Cats, Chickens, Fish, cows, etc. We are all sentient beings and feel pain.

[@Plinko99]

I found this unappealing

[@muhammadomer4674]

Hope she doesnt see this. But i didnt find the speech gr8. Maybe its just me. And im unalive inside

[@luisamontalvo106]

I understand why you would hope I wouldn’t see your message, but I want you to know that I feel EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion. It was actually a hidden message I had in my speech. I understand you didn’t find the speech great, I didn’t think it was GREAT either. But somehow the judges thought it was good enough for me to take home first place. I’m sure it wasn’t just you because if there’s anything I’ve learned from contests, it’s that you never know what’s going to win, and not EVERYONE is going to like your speech. I applaud you for telling the truth, and please believe me that I hold no ill will towards you for speaking your mind. ITS YOUR OPINION, and I RESPECT that!! Thank you my friend!

[@mnalshammari]

How can the organization allow a speech like this to win? It talks about God in an inappropriate way! I demand that this video be deleted

[@luisamontalvo106]

What am interesting take you have on my speech. I’m so sorry you feel I’m talking about God in an inappropriate way. This is my version of my God and I feel I made that known from the very beginning of my speech. I promise to try to become a better, more effective communicator so these comments will be a thing of the past. Once again, my apologies for offending you.

[@BrendanPatrickGrace]

It's laid out very clearly in most contest language, I don't have the exact wording in front of me, but the contest chair or Toastmaster should say something before contests begin like 'These speeches may contain views, content or other material that some people may find offensive'. You don't have to agree with most speeches or people who win and that's both good and healthy.

[@naviinprabhu2468]

​​@@luisamontalvo106you don't owe an apology to anyone for being yourself Luisa :) you were brilliant on stage. St. Peter needs an iPad as well.

[@AlexandreMatte]

Interesting reaction. On site, I found this approach to be particularly effective to reach believers and non believers alike. Watching again online, I stand by my opinion: @luisamontalvo106 was brilliant in her approach. Notwithstanding this, it's ok if you find it inappropriate; it's not ok to "demand that this video be deleted." Let's have more discussion, not less.

[@luisamontalvo106]

@@AlexandreMatteI COULD NOT HAVE SAID THIS BETTER! Thank you Alexandre!!!

[@EmForest]

Congratulations Luisa!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@luisamontalvo106]

Thank you!

[@lyndanabayiinda1722]

Congratulations