Loren Salas is my name, and my journey
down Freedom’s Road began on February 4, 2003. Since then,
I’ve experienced many exciting changes in my speech and
beyond. I attribute this to the McGuire Program, which is a
comprehensive approach that consists of a game plan with the
tools and techniques to help a person who stutters become a
strong and eloquent speaker. The result is a happier and more
fulfilled individual.
Prior to the McGuire Program, my
“speaking life” consisted of daily predictions and “what if”
scenarios. This was frustrating because I believed that
speaking should be second nature. I always felt that my
stuttering was a combination of negative beliefs and
perceptions and feelings of fear and panic. However, since I
did experience fluency on occasion, I believed that I could
undo all of the mental “nonsense” and eventually conquer my
stuttering. This was an exercise in futility, for the
stuttering mindset and triggers were so deeply ingrained, not
just psychologically but also physiologically.
At age 30, I discovered the McGuire
Program. Through its website, I listened to all of the audio
clips and watched all of the video clips. I learned that the
program focuses on the mental battles as well as the physical
struggles that contribute to stuttering. As people who
stutter, we have as many similarities as we have differences
in the “whys” and the “ways” that we stutter. However, once I
began learning and adopting the philosophies and processes of
the program, I realized that it was more about “moving
forward” rather than dissecting the past. Just as our
stuttering mindset evolves into negativity and shame towards
ourselves and our speech, the “recovery” and “can do” mindset
evolves to make us stronger individuals in communication and
life in general. There are countless numbers of McGuire grads
who have and are still experiencing profound life
transformations.
So, where do I stand in January 2007?
I’ve joined Toastmasters, gave several speeches and
participated in many Toastmaster speaking roles. I now make
those once dreaded phone calls without predicting a
forthcoming disaster. I also continue to expand my comfort
zones and attack situations that present some fear and
interference in my speaking abilities. Although it’s scary at
times as I face uncertainty when entering new speaking
situations, the alternative to shy away and to back down is
not an option!
Overcoming my stutter will probably be
one of my most difficult challenges, but NOW I know that I can
do it and will do it. The journey is rewarding and
encouraging as the positive and successful speaking
experiences begin to outweigh the past speaking failures. I
firmly believe that the McGuire Program and it’s unmatchable
support group of outstanding graduates has shown me the way
and can do the same for those who stutter and seek to excel in
the “sport of speaking.”
Please feel free to contact me at
lorensalas@gmail.com
Loren Salas, Texas, USA
January 2007
