Dusty’s Note: The Mic that Fixed My Stutter

I was talking with someone after an event recently, and they were sharing with me that the way I handled myself on stage, inspired them to be more open and conversational with other people. We talked about how hard it can feel sometimes to simply say hello to a stranger. In our conversation, I eventually shared with them that I have not always had the confidence to talk to other people… let alone act as an emcee at an event.

The person I was talking to was surprised to hear this. They said that I looked so comfortable up there on the stage. That is true today, but it has not always been that way. I shared a little bit more about my background with this person that day. Before we said goodbye with a hug, she told me that I should share this part of my story with others, as it might help other people in the same way that it had helped her that day.

And so, this is part of my story.

I was actually incredibly shy as a kid. I was bullied a lot… and I mean a lot! There were many occasions where a bully would follow me home as I walked home from school. Sometimes, the bully would kick my foot out from under me, trying to trip me. Other times, if I was carrying something home, they would knock it out of my hands onto the ground. And almost every time, they would heckle me and shout hurtful words as I made my way home. I remember crying on this walk… so many times.

Being bullied did not help me with my shy personality. It made it worse! I was nervous around other people and afraid to engage in the simplest of conversations. I had a hard time raising my hand, even to ask the teacher a question that I may have had. To make my situation and upbringing even worse, I suffered from a speech impediment. I had a stuttering problem that I could not escape.

I stuttered every single time I tried to talk. I was so scared to talk… and embarrassed when I did.

I was actually incredibly shy as a kid. I was bullied a lot… and I mean a lot! There were many occasions where a bully would follow me home as I walked home from school. Sometimes, the bully would kick my foot out from under me, trying to trip me. Other times, if I was carrying something home, they would knock it out of my hands onto the ground. And almost every time, they would heckle me and shout hurtful words as I made my way home. I remember crying on this walk… so many times.

Being bullied did not help my shy personality.

It made it worse! I was nervous around other people and afraid to engage in the simplest of conversations. I had a hard time raising my hand, even to ask the teacher a question that I may have had. To make my situation and upbringing even worse, I suffered from a speech impediment. I had a stuttering problem that I could not escape. I stuttered every single time I tried to talk. I was so scared to talk… and embarrassed when I did.

This was my entire childhood. I was always the shy one. I was afraid to talk. I was very, very good at school. Teachers often favored me. And the school bullies always seem to find me. This was my experience from elementary school, all the way through high school.

I joined the military out of high school. My demeanor continued. My stuttering speech impediment did not improve. I did my best to avoid speaking to pretty much everyone. I had a couple close friends in the military and outside of them, everyone assumed that I did not have much to say. The truth is: I was scared. Worse than that, I felt ashamed.

When I got out of the military, I went to college. I ended up with a bartending job on the weekends. And on one of those weekends when I was working behind the bar, a man who owned a DJ business… I’ll never forget his name… Russell Welch… talked to me at length about how he wanted me to DJ; working for him… In the wedding industry.

I’m going to skip over how long it took him to finally convince me to meet with him to discuss this opportunity. Let’s just say, I really don’t know what Russ saw in me, but I did eventually agree to meet with him. A few days later, I found myself training to be a wedding DJ.

Russ‘s training program would be a huge turning point in my life.

Russ trained me how to deal with my speech impediment by using the microphone. I still cannot believe it to this day! Out of all of the tools that someone could use to help me with my speech impediment, a live microphone would have been the very last thing that I would’ve chosen. And yet it is exactly what did the trick.

Russ provided the script for every single announcement I ever had to make. I spent 1 to 2 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, for about two months… Coming in for DJ training. Most of my time was spent making announcements on a live microphone… With no audience! I actually did my DJ training in his garage!

Russ gave me a tool. Every time I felt a microphone in my hand, I would slow my voice. I would speak very slowly. This gave me the time I needed to form the words. I absolutely stuttered in the beginning, even with this technique. But as time went on, my stuttering became less and less frequent.

We eventually utilized breath work too. I would slow my breathing down, and then match this slow cadence in my announcements. This really helped me with my nerves and enabled me to announce brides and grooms in their grand entrance at their wedding receptions. I did this weekend after weekend, for several years!

In time, my anxiety lessened. My fears began to disappear. I became comfortable on the microphone. This skill worked beautifully in my social life too. I could actually talk to other people without my fears and anxiety taking over.

And eventually, I could talk without a stutter.

So if you ever happen to catch me doing my thing on a stage… And it appears to you that I am not only capable, but also very comfortable on the mic. Remember, I wasn’t always this way.

And here’s a hot tip for everyone that I use almost every day. Connect with your breath. Anchor your energy in breathwork. My favorite is to breathe slow, gentle, natural breaths. Breathe in: compassion and loving kindness. And breathe out: all that does not serve me.

I love you. Love, Love