Geoff Johnston

I’m the father of two children and “Pop” to three granddaughters. Living at Strathalbyn in Southern Australia and is involved in Toastmasters and several community service organisations.

I was a chronic overt stutterer since the age of 2-3 years old and continued to suffer the consequences of out-of-control stuttering until I was about 55 despite more or less continuous traditional speech therapy during that time.

As a last-ditch effort and without a lot of faith and hope given and my history of unsuccessful treatment, I joined the McGuire Programme in July 1999 and found that I related easily to the holistic and sports mentality of the Programme.

The “playing to win” mentality and the ongoing coaching and support provided by the McGuire Programme was the turning point in me being able to communicate effectively in the “real world”.

Such was the impact on my life that I decided to leave the IT industry after 35 years to devote my time, money and energy to helping other people who stutter to achieve effective communication and live the life they want without the shackles of stuttering holding them back.

I was the Regional Director of the McGuire Programme in Australia and over those years I was closely involved in instructing and coaching over 1,000 people who stutter. I am also an Accomplished Toastmaster, Silver Level and has won public speaking competitions.

I regularly speak to community groups about stuttering, present at conferences, have been interviewed on radio and television and teaches public speaking skills to the public. I’m passionate about educating the public on stuttering and helping people who stutter to gain control over their speech and achieve “quality of life” changes.