Celebrating 23 years of speaking from day one

Celebrating 23 years of speaking from day one

Author: Fluent in 3 Months July 9, 2026 Duration: 8:16

This week marks 23 years since I first began speaking from day one, and as I celebrate my 44th birthday, I'm reflecting on just how far that simple idea has taken me. Today I can communicate confidently in eight languages, have explored many more, and have travelled to 51 countries, but none of that seemed remotely possible when I was 21. Back then, I spoke only English, struggled through Spanish classes, and convinced myself I simply wasn't someone who could learn languages. Everything changed when I stopped worrying about sounding perfect and started speaking anyway. Looking back, I realise the difference wasn't talent or a hidden language gene. It was the willingness to make mistakes, connect with people, and keep showing up.

In this birthday episode, I share why that lesson still shapes everything I do and why I believe anyone can experience the same breakthrough. Whether you're just beginning or feeling stuck, I hope my story reminds you that progress comes from using the language, not waiting until you feel ready. I also talk about the next chapter of my weekly emails, which will now include much more language-specific advice alongside my free Speak in a Week course. If you'd like practical tips tailored to the language you're learning, I'd love to see you on the mailing list and hopefully in your inbox every Friday.


If you haven't already, you can sign up for Speak in a Week here.

If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with me at languagehacking.com/chat.

And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!

Or you can follow me on all Social Media channels:

Follow my Spanish Instagram
Instagram: @irishpolyglot
Thread: @irishpolyglot
TikTok: @irishpolyglot


There’s a certain magic that happens when you step off a plane and try to order a meal in a language you’re still fumbling through, or when a simple conversation with a stranger on a train opens up an entirely new perspective. Language & Travel Hacking, from the team behind Fluent in 3 Months, lives in those messy, authentic, and profoundly rewarding moments. Host Benny Lewis, a nomadic polyglot and best-selling author, doesn’t just theorize from a studio; he records from the road, sharing raw, real-time experiences and the practical strategies that actually work when you’re navigating a foreign market or building confidence in a new tongue. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a well-traveled friend who’s made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll hear the sounds of street markets and train stations in the background as Benny breaks down the psychology of language learning, offers actionable tips for picking up phrases quickly, and discusses how travel itself can be the ultimate classroom. This podcast is built on the idea that fluency and cultural connection aren’t distant goals reserved for the gifted, but accessible skills you can hack through smart, intentional practice. It’s for anyone who believes that the deepest way to explore a place is through its language, and that every journey is an opportunity to reshape how you see the world-and yourself. Tune in for honest stories and tangible advice that will change how you approach your next adventure, whether it’s across the globe or right in your own neighborhood.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
Mexico or Spain Spanish? You're Asking the Wrong Question! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:16
In this episode, I explain why worrying about learning the “right” dialect is one of the least important problems for language learners. Whether it’s Mexican Spanish, Castilian Spanish, or another regional variation, I a…
The conversation you're having with ChatGPT doesn't count! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:43
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I share a discussion from my language Bootcamp about using AI for language learning while travelling through Mexico. I praise creative uses of AI, such as gener…
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Duration: 6:45
In this episode, I share a moment I had during a dinner in Monterrey where I suddenly realised I’d stopped consciously thinking about speaking Spanish. Instead of translating or checking my words, I was simply part of th…
The Mexican States project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
In this episode, I talk about my next big travel project as I prepare to head to Mexico for over two months. After recent language missions in Malaysia and Taiwan, I am now focusing on deep travel using Spanish, one of m…
Major cities vs deeper travels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:55
In this episode, I explore whether it is better to stay in major cities or travel more deeply into lesser-visited places. From my recent time in Taiwan, I reflect on how cities like Taipei make life easier, especially wh…
Update and my daily routine during my Chinese project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
In this episode, I give an update on my Mandarin progress after spending a month in Taiwan. I explain how I quickly regained enough confidence to handle everyday conversations, although my first social speaking attempt w…
Are you not ready yet, or is the situation what’s wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:53
I shared how reactivating my Mandarin has put me in an unusual stage of language learning: I am far beyond beginner level, but still rusty enough that real social situations can feel overwhelming. At one language exchang…
Wrapping up Malaysia and Brunei [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:47
In this episode, I look back on the final weeks of my journey through Malaysia and Brunei before starting my new adventure in Taipei. Malaysia turned out to be an incredible experience. Thanks to my background in Indones…
Benny's next language project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:10
In this episode, I’m announcing a return to one of my core languages: Mandarin. Earlier this year I focused on a short-term project in a brand-new country, but now I’m shifting back to a long-term priority. Mandarin has…