On Monday, I was at my first Toastmasters meeting for this week.
The Summit Toastmasters Club met at Iconik Co-working Space in Jalan SS8/39, Petaling Jaya. There, I presented a "Researching and Presenting" project from the Motivating Strategies pathway. My speech #957.
Unlike most of my speeches, which are usually impromptu, this project mandated actual research. I spent a part of my Sunday diving into neurobiology papers, reading up on the science, and trying to make sense of it all. Even at the start of my speech, I referenced Chapter 15 "The Happy Hormones" from my book "The Pearls of Your Speech" (2025).
This culminated in a speech titled "The Oxytocin Trap", which was alternatively promoted in my post as "The Amygdala Hijack".
Most people know oxytocin as the biological glue of human society. It’s popularly celebrated as the "love hormone" or "cuddle chemical" for its ability to foster deep trust, empathy, and bonding. But during my research, I discovered it has a dark side: it functions as a powerful tool for manipulation, exclusion, and vulnerability.
This heightened susceptibility is actually rooted deep in the brain. Oxytocin suppresses the activity of the amygdala – our internal fear center. When oxytocin levels are high, your natural defense mechanisms lower, and your radar for suspicion is muted.
This biological override creates the ultimate psychological trap. By chemically shutting down our defenses, it allows manipulators to easily bypass our radar under the guise of safety.
Stepping out of my impromptu comfort zone to deliver a highly-organized, research-heavy speech was a stretch for me, but I did it anyway. I may have won Best Speaker but I see significant opportunities to elevate my structure and delivery in future engagements.
Thanks to Club VP Education, Calyn Lim for being so kind as to accommodate my request for a speaking slot.
A quick visual recap of the said session:
