Stuttering Success Story: Tyler's Story

Tyler sought out Michael Williams’ help on how to stop stammering because he feared most situations where he needed to speak. In high school, his speech wasn't really a problem because he was comfortable with his friends. But when he moved into college, he had presentations and needed to meet new friends, so his stammering issues became more of a problem. He made it through college, and when he reached the end, he had a fearful view of his future. He knew he had to fix his speaking habits. That’s when he found Michael and his Pro90D stammering treatment program.

With Michael’s stammering therapy, Tyler went from living at home to doing an internship at a gym where he heads up group training—something he never thought he could do. Because his colleague was out on his first day, he was required to facilitate group training sooner than he was expecting. He had a group of 18 that day, and he stumbled through the first one. But as he got to know people, he became more comfortable. He now has two classes a day with up to 10 people, and he manages it with no problem. People regularly sign up for his classes too, so he feels he must be doing pretty well.

Another story about how his speech affected him in the past was working at a hotel and needing to talk with visitors. He had to answer the same simple question daily, but it became a problem even when giving short directions to attractions. After working with Michael and starting stammering therapy, he was easily able to correct this problem.

Tyler found Michael’s stutter-free speech program through YouTube. He watched a few videos, and within a couple of months, he emailed Michael. He knew he needed Michael to be his fluent speaking coach after talking to him. He had looked at other programs but couldn't travel to attend in-person courses, so he took a chance with Michael’s stammering therapy, and it’s paid off.

Tyler's daily routine includes affirmations, which he did on a regular basis at first. He listens to Michael’s audio books on his long drives and also listens to them in his off time, maybe up to two hours a day. The biggest help for Tyler is practicing the techniques necessary to stop stammering. He's always had jobs where he needed to interact with people. He practices modeling every day because of his frequent interactions with people. Specifically, Tyler

works on extending his words and inflecting his voice. Expending words helps Tyler get through any block he can feel coming. Funnily enough, Tyler had a habit of saying "shoot" instead of "um" between words. It made some situations awkward, especially when he introduced himself as "Shoot Tyler." He doesn’t do that anymore either.

Tyler really feels that to improve, you need to immerse yourself in speaking with other people. He says he's guilty of not practicing as much as he can, which is why he thinks he isn't exactly where he wants to be, but he continues to work on his stammering therapy techniques every day.

The future feels brighter for Tyler. He feels that every career choice has a speaking requirement, and now that he can even conquer the small speaking opportunities, he is more open. He doesn't fear situations like he did in the past and is more likely to take a job opportunity that comes his way.

Tyler refers to the book The Power of Habit, which Michael has based much of his program on. The fact that every habit you create you can also break resonated with Tyler. He knows he can create a habit of speaking well. Tyler believes it will take time, but he can do it.

As far as advice to others who are dealing with stammering, he knows you need to keep practicing to get the most benefit. He got busy at one point in his life, and his speech declined again because he had less time for the stammer therapy techniques. He suggests not getting lazy with listening to the audio and practicing.

When he starts speaking quickly and confidently at the gym now, he doesn't even feel a stammer coming on. He says this is the best feeling in the world. His goal is to get to a place where he's no longer thinking about his speech or seeing himself as a stammerer and is just doing life.