Hi, my name is Soumyadeep Seal, and I am from India. I am 21 years old, and as far as I remember, I started stuttering at the age of 3 or 4. I’m currently at the final stage of my Engineering degree, and soon I’m going to join the corporate world. At the early stages of my stuttering, I was never that much concerned about the issue. My parents also thought that the issue was minor and would be resolved by itself with the passage of time. I was a bright student throughout my academic journey, and so the same was not a barrier to stop me from doing anything in those days. I remember that my mother would often tell me, “Stop talking, Soumyadeep! You blabber all the time.” This was because I would recount everything that happened at school throughout the day, continuing for hours without a break. She had no choice but to listen to my endless chatter. Everything was going great. I faced some difficulties in my school regarding my speech, but I never cared much about them. By the time I finished high school, I had become quite popular with both teachers and students, primarily due to my active involvement in academics.
My real struggles began after finishing school. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed a period of profound social isolation, which I believe gradually eroded my ability to speak spontaneously without overthinking. During this time, while preparing for university entrance exams, I confined myself to a rigorous routine of sleep, study, eat, and repeat. Upon gaining admission to my dream university, I was initially excited to experience college life. I joined a technical club, which exposed me to numerous social interactions, some positive, some negative. However, as I navigated college, I started noticing an increasing nervousness even in minor public situations. I would avoid asking questions in class and would deliberate ten times before uttering a single statement, fearing a mental block. I also developed a fear of authority figures and actively tried to avoid conversations with them.
The problem was snowballing. I desperately searched online for solutions, but most blogs and articles were unhelpful, offering only expensive speech therapy or generic advice like deep breathing, meditation, and confidence-building. Confused but determined, I tried meditation, listened to podcasts about self-confidence, and took multiple courses on the subject. Looking back, it all seems stupid. After exhausting every option, I saw no real improvement and began to accept the idea that stuttering was incurable.
The most disheartening part of my story unfolded when I had to deliver a brief presentation to my professors and fellow students. I dedicated a significant amount of time to preparing for it, consumed by the dread of performing poorly. On the day of the presentation, fear completely paralyzed me; I couldn’t utter a single word, ultimately failing to complete it. This was profoundly confusing, as I had previously given numerous speeches, led multiple teams, and interacted with many authoritative figures without such a debilitating experience. I somehow managed to conceal my emotions from my friends and returned home. I explained everything to my parents, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. While such issues are often dismissed in India, my parents understood that this problem had significantly marred many years of my life.
After a thorough discussion with my family, we decided to seek professional medical advice. My father accompanied me to a doctor, and it was at this moment that things began to change. The doctor was incredibly empathetic, sharing stories of friends who had achieved remarkable things despite overcoming stuttering. His words were incredibly soothing. He then recommended me to read books about individuals who had conquered the same problem. That very same day, I began searching for the best available book related to stuttering. I used ChatGPT to get recommendations for books to help cure stuttering, and the first title suggested was Lee Lovett’s Stuttering & Anxiety Self-Cures: THIRD Edition. I decided to start reading the book, and from the very first page, I felt an immediate connection with the author and his struggles. As I continued reading, a strong belief began to form within me: stuttering could be cured. I finished the entire book within a few days and learned about the most practical solution for defeating the “Satan Stuttering”: the “1-2-3 punch” (the author explains this in detail in the book). I started practicing everything mentioned, as it was the first time I felt such strong confidence that it would work. For me, that book was a hidden gem.
The Lee’s magical book led me to discover WSSA. I explored their website, looking into all their available resources. This led me to book a free consultation with Javier, a Certified Speech Therapist (CST). Despite the seamless process, I felt hesitant to discuss my stuttering, as I was at a low point in my life. However, Javier handled my case exceptionally well, reinforcing my hope of becoming stutter-free. He offered invaluable tips and insights, convincing me that with sufficient effort, I too could become a Person Who Stopped Stuttering (PWSS). Inspired by his advice, I joined StopStutter. My first group practice session made me incredibly nervous about introductions, but to my surprise, the group was incredibly welcoming and supportive. I quickly realized we all shared the same challenge and could overcome it by helping each other. Determined to conquer my stutter, I attended daily practice sessions led by the CSTs, all of whom possessed immense wisdom. I thoroughly enjoyed their sessions, learning something new every day. I began by practicing “crutches” within the group sessions and gradually started incorporating them into my daily life. My efforts also included practicing daily affirmations twice a day and reading aloud for at least an hour daily. The community supported me in every step of the way, feeling like a family that applauded my successes and supported me through my mistakes.
Within three weeks of joining WSSA, I felt a significant surge in my confidence, allowing me to speak without any worry. The StopStutter App’s success tracking feature, coupled with continuous victories, further boosted this newfound assurance. The positive feedback from CSTs regarding my speech improvement consistently brightened my day. I began tackling activities that once used to scare me, and my speech progressively improved with each passing day. Lee’s methods and WSSA’s unwavering support fundamentally transformed my life. For the first time, I genuinely believed I could face any public speaking scenario. My life has been flourishing since joining WSSA. While consistently practising the 1-2-3 punch technique, Javier inquired about my progress in one of his sessions. After sharing my streak of 30 consecutive victories, he astutely pointed out that I am now a Person Who Stopped Stuttering (PWSS). This revelation was initially difficult to accept, for reasons I can’t quite pinpoint. However, through Javier’s invaluable advice and guidance, I finally embraced the fact that “Yes, I am a PWSS now”. This realization marked one of the most profound moments of my life, a testament to the considerable progress I’ve made.
I want to thank Lee Lovett for his wonderful work. He is changing lives for people like us. I extend my gratitude to all the CSTs and members of the WSSA family for their unwavering advice and guidance. Special thanks to Javier for introducing me to this wonderful family and making me believe that I, too, can be a PWSS. Special thanks to Danny, too, who was always there to help me at every step of my journey.
I am a PWSS, but I believe I am still a work in progress. I am expanding my comfort zones, and now, my objective is to learn to love speaking anywhere and anytime. For me, the sky is the limit.
I am really excited to give my SAM talk on the 14th of March, 2026.
In conclusion, I believe that if I can overcome this, anyone can. For those facing similar challenges, unwavering self-belief and consistent effort are all that it takes to conquer the demon of stuttering. As Danny wisely said, “Why stop at a great day when we can have a great life?”. So, try to be the better version of yourself every day.
Thank you!!
Soumyadeep, India – Sept. 12, 2025