About Paul Phariss

Co-author of Have a Ball Learning, Paul Phariss survived a drowning accident at age six and overcame severe brain damage to learn to read at age thirty. Having educated and entertained over half-a-million people worldwide, Paul has been interviewed and seen on PBS, CBS, FOX, ESPN2, the Today Show, and Good Morning America.

Keynote Speech: Juggling Miracles
At the ripe age of six, Paul Phariss died. The lifeguard, emergency medical technicians, and emergency room doctor were unable to resuscitate him after a tragic swimming accident. His parents were informed their six-year-old son had passed away. When the coroner came in to retrieve the lifeless little body, he found a faint heartbeat—Paul was alive! Paul remembers clearly his near-death experience and being given a choice: did he want to come back or did he want to stay? Paul decided to come back and his life began again as a severely brain-damaged boy.

All the way through elementary school he was unable to read and was told he was stupid and lazy. Because schools didn’t know about learning disabilities, he was put with kids with severe mental retardation and other developmental disabilities—Paul assumed he was retarded, too. His parents assumed he would live with them for the rest of his life, unable to work or support himself. He managed to graduate from high school with the reading level of a fourth grader with zero comprehension. His life took a better turn with the support of his church, when they gave him a scholarship to attend the first college with a special program for good students with learning disabilities. In college he gave up trying to learn how to read—he was hungry to learn everything he had missed in school because of all the reading clinics: anthropology, sociology, science, and theater. But he still couldn’t read.

After college, Paul faced the harsh reality of being an adult who couldn’t read. Job choices were limited, discrimination was plentiful. With the encouragement of a college professor, Paul pursued the unusual career of becoming a mime. His mime instructor insisted all his students learn how to juggle, which became a turning point in Paul’s life. Within twelve years, Paul won the gold medal at the international juggling championships—but more importantly—he started being able to read. In 2009 Paul completely overcame dyslexia as a client using Rhythmic Movement Training, a brain therapy being successfully used in Europe for over twenty-five years. Since that time, Paul became a RMT consultant himself and is using it to help others overcome their disabilities just as quickly.

In his presentations, Paul shares his inspiring and fascinating life story of overcoming brain damage and illiteracy and going on to become a world champion juggler, an author, and brain fitness coach. As one of only eleven certified Rhythmic Movement Training consultants in North and South America, Paul now helps kids and adults overcome their learning and developmental challenges and inspires others to do the same. Paul shares the latest scientific studies that have proven the link between juggling, movement, and enhanced brain function. He educates and entertains his audience with practical steps they can take to improve their brain function through brain stimulation, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. His speech is entertaining, educational, and inspirational.

Paul's Credentials

Gold Medalist--Juggling World Championships

Rhythmic Movement Training International certification:

Rhythmic Movement Training Level One: RMT and ADD/ADHD Rhythmic Movement Training Level Two: RMT, Emotions, and Inner Leadership Rhythmic Movement Training Level Three: RMT and Dyslexia

Additional RMT education:

RMT, Dreams and Inner Healing RMT, Facial Reflexes, Language and Bonding RMT and Fear Paralysis Reflex RMT in the Preschool RMT and Cerebral Palsy RMT Instructor One

What Others are Saying About Paul

"Our client, Walt Disney World Orlando, gave great compliments and feedback on Paul. He made me look good and he'll make you look good when you hire him for your event. He's the kind of speaker you want to take home to meet the family."
- Patrick Doyle
International Talent Booking, Inc.Orlando, Florida

"You brought a uniqueness that was good, wholesome and something the entire family could enjoy. Thank you for giving us a top notch show."
- Phil Rudd
General Sales Manager, Frontier City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"We got rave reviews of your classes! Thank you for being such professionals!"
- Barbara Reskovac
Lawton Public Schools, Public Relations, Lawton, Oklahoma

"He uses his gift of comedy to reach youth about the joy of reading."
- Tulsa World

"Paul interjected his motivation with his comedy. All the kids listened, laughed, and enjoyed him. The teachers also spoke highly of him."
- Teresa Baggett
Counselor, Longfellow Middle School, Norman, Oklahoma