At 15, I believed I was doomed to stutter for the rest of my life. I had misread an article, interpreting it as a life sentence. That misinterpretation led me to a desperate moment, standing on top of a 33-meter tower, ready to give up. What saved me wasn’t a miracle cure or therapy, but the love of someone close to me—my mother—and, in time, a complete change of mindset.
TEDx Talk
This story became the core of the TEDx talk I recently gave, in which I shared how the stuttering I had once hated became the very foundation of my strengths. Stuttering forced me to listen deeply, to write clearly, and to excel in sport—where actions speak louder than words. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but each of these strengths was growing quietly alongside the struggle.
Turning point
The real turning point came after meeting another stutterer for the first time. I laughed with joy—because I finally felt less alone. That encounter helped me shift from denial to acceptance. I learned three powerful principles that changed everything: accept the stutter, stop being ashamed of it, and take responsibility for my communication. Responsibility didn’t mean guilt; it meant reclaiming power. It meant shifting from "Why me?" to "How can I grow from this?"
A few years later, another step deepened this transformation. While preparing for the entrance exams to a top French business school—which included a daunting 45-minute oral exam—I knew I needed help. I turned to a kinesiologist who introduced me to a powerful combination of breathing, movement and positive affirmations.
Every day, I practiced exercises that reconnected body and mind, repeating phrases like, "I can express myself in a group with ease." This daily routine didn’t make my stutter disappear, but it gave me the grounding and confidence to speak with clarity and presence during the exam. I was accepted.
New chapter and message to you all
That mental shift unlocked a new chapter. Today, speaking is an integral part of my work —as a Personal Trainer, speaker, and coach. I help others find their voice in sport and in life. I still stutter at times, but by changing the way I relate to it, I’ve changed the course of my life.
And if there’s one message I hope to leave others with, it’s this: sometimes, what feels like your greatest weakness is simply the seed of your greatest strengths—waiting for the right mindset to let it grow.
At 15, I thought my life was over. I was convinced I would never stop stuttering—until a last-minute miracle, and the love of someone close to me, changed everything. Back then, I believed stuttering had ruined my life. In truth, it was shaping everything I would one day become. For years, I tried to silence my voice. Today, I use it to help others reconnect with theirs—in sport, in health, and in life.
Originally from France, I’ve lived in several countries and am now based back in France. In 2012, I made a bold 360° career shift from finance to fitness. Today, I’m a Personal Trainer and a coach for those who want to become Fitness Trainers.