My name is Bhav. I have a B.S. degree in Neuroscience from MIT, and I am a now in medical student at Standford in California. Since I can remember first speaking, I had a stutter. The nature of my stutter was very difficult to accept, as it was highly situational and variable — ranging from perfect fluency with family, friends, and even prepared public speeches, to complete blocking and repetitions and humiliating silences when speaking impromptu with groups. In some sense, having a situational stutter is particularly difficult to understand and accept, as you never know when you will next block or speak beautifully.
Over the years, my speech had gotten better as I immersed myself in social situations more, but I never fully overcame it, which always bothered me and threatened my ability to communicate in the most critical situations. Unpredictable, abject speech failures can end careers, relationships and destroy an otherwise calm demeanor.
Then, I finally met Lee Lovett and the WSSA team in June 2024, who showed me that it is actually possible to learn ways to avoid humiliating levels of stuttering anywhere, anytime with anybody – in short, ways to reach the finish line, and speak fluently at all times.
By focusing on the solution instead of the problem and learning new tools or temporary tools (“crutches” and “speech plans”) to speak fluently and gain confidence in public settings, I was able to reverse my stutter in a matter of months. I am fast learning that I can speak my very best when under the greatest pressure.
My favorite part about WSSA’s program is that it is truly holistic, including mind training, reading aloud, and practicing fluent speaking techniques in increasingly high-pressure situations!
While it was initially difficult to learn and use the tools in speaking situations, I received regular support from Lee and many of the world-class stuttering therapists in WSSA. Additionally, the crutch practice sessions and SAM meetings gave me a community of ex-stutterers with whom I could speak and practice in a judgment-free environment.
Now, I can go on stage and speak as long as I want with no fear — and this is all thanks to Coach Lee and WSSA, its community of ex-stutterers and its program!
I never thought that I would fully overcome stuttering — and instead thought that this would be a lifelong curse, even if it got slightly better over several years. I am now confident that stuttering is a purely psychogenic state, one that can be overcome with the right coaching and therapy.
I look forward to my life in the fluent world, as if I never stuttered, and, as I become the best speaker I can be, I fully expect to be among the best speakers I know. I’m fast approaching that goal right now. I look forward to supporting people who stutter throughout my lifetime and remaining an active member of WSSA. If you stutter, I hope that you’ll join us at WSSA, the world’s only community of ex-stutterers and those fast becoming ex-stutterers.
Bhav, California, November 2024