Dear Friends,
My name is Vishwanath Sen. I am 58 years old, and I live in California, USA, with my family. I have had the challenge of stuttering from as far back as I can remember. When I was born, my mother became severely ill. She survived, but she developed OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). She would often feel a sense of dirtiness in daily life situations, which created many rules and restrictions at home. The house felt like a prison, and this caused a lot of stress for me. Additionally, there was an older boy in my neighborhood who stuttered, and I unknowingly picked up his way of speaking by copying him.
I was a good student in school, but I would never raise my hand when the teacher asked a question. Even when the teacher took roll call, my friend would respond for me.
As I grew up, I gradually overcame the fear of talking on the phone or to strangers, but big meetings with a lot of people and high-authority figures still remained a challenge for me.
I used to often search Google for the latest treatments for stuttering when I came across Coach Lee’s book. Then I had a meeting with Coach Danny. I bought the short course and finished it quickly. Everything Coach Lee said in the book felt very meaningful to me. I took the membership at WSSA and dove into the 1-2-3 punch program. I went through the master series classes and many coaching videos. I chose my GSP and ESP to be Extreme Pronunciation, Link, and Pause.
As a Software Project Manager, I have to conduct many big meetings—40, 60, even 80 people—in person and over Zoom. Life didn’t give me the luxury of climbing the fluency ladder one step at a time; I was thrown to the top of the ladder. It was my bread and butter. Earlier, I used to worry a lot before these meetings, but the 1-2-3 punch program has helped me tremendously. Nowadays, whenever I catch myself worrying before a meeting, I remind myself: extreme pronunciation, link, pause—and I go to sleep peacefully.
I believe in preparation. Have you ever seen World Cup final games? The best players—before the game even starts—go onto the field to connect with the ground, the pitch, etc. They visualize playing like a champion.
Ten minutes before my meeting starts, I go into the conference room and take a seat next to the projector or screen. I feel that if I can point to the screen with my finger or pointer, it helps me with fluency. I greet people as they trickle into the room and keep some light conversation going to keep my speech muscles active. All of this helps me navigate these meetings more easily.
I’ve learned that in extreme pressure situations, the first 30 seconds, the first 60 seconds, and the first 90 seconds are the most important. If you start well, you’ve won half the battle.
For my situation, I created three affirmations:
- Under extreme pressure, I start extremely slow.
- When I start slow, I get into the flow.
- My flow then carries me forward.
Coach Lee and Coach Danny helped me reduce these to: Start slow and get into the flow.
As a speaker, your only job is to get into the flow. Get into the flow. And I don’t care what tool you use to get there. Whether you use “Start slow and get into the flow,” the singsongy approach, or passion to get into the flow, Coach Lee has given us all these tools. Just use them.
Coach Lee—many thanks for dedicating your life to this mission.
Coaches—Prathusha, Danny, Sebastian, and others—you are so committed to this cause. You are doing such noble work—helping someone overcome their own mind to make their lives better.
Thanks to the WSSA community. People are so supportive and helpful. I called Cindy for help a few times, and she responded. After I shared the affirmation “Start slow and get into the flow” in SAM meetings, some of us called me, and I shared how this affirmation worked for me.
So, friends, please dive into the 1-2-3 punch program. Take 1-on-1 sessions with coaches, join practice sessions, and you will see miracles happening for you.
Watch your victories—record them and play them back. Watch and hear your victories. Two senses (eyes and ears) work better than one (only hearing) for building good memories. I record my meetings, play them back, and review them after the meeting.
Remember, this is a marathon we’re in. It’s not a 100-meter sprint. But with practice and hard work, it is highly achievable. Good luck!
Vishwanath, California – December 2025