We recently had the chance to connect with Bonnie Perry M.S., CCC-SLP, CMT® and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bonnie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Honestly? People think I just teach tongue exercises all day! The reality is so much deeper (and way cooler). My work is rooted in uncovering the root cause of how the face grows and functions—because how we breathe, eat, sleep, and even smile is all tied to how our jaws, airway, and muscles develop.
Most people don’t realize that things like nasal congestion, crowded teeth, speech differences, and even needing braces again later in life are often symptoms of an underlying pattern called an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD). It’s like the body’s quiet way of saying, “Hey, something isn’t working right here—can we get a little help?”
In my practice, I help families and adults understand that their child’s picky eating, open mouth posture, or snoring (or even their own!) isn’t random. It’s all connected to the way the tongue, lips, cheeks, and airway grew—and how they’re working now. By looking at the root cause, we can actually guide growth and function, supporting beautiful, wide smiles, strong airways, and clear speech long-term.
It’s pretty wild that just by helping someone learn to breathe through their nose, keep their tongue resting in the right spot, and swallow properly, we can influence facial development, sleep quality, and even confidence. I love busting the myth that this is just about fun exercises. It’s really about unlocking the body’s best blueprint for health.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! I’m Bonnie Perry, a speech-language pathologist who’s a little (okay, a lot) obsessed with how faces grow, how mouths work, and how that all ties into breathing, eating, sleeping, and speaking. I own Perry Myofunctional Therapy, a practice devoted to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, and Speech Therapy—which is really just a fancy way of saying I help people, big and small, use their mouths, tongues, and airways the way they were designed to.
What makes my work unique is that I’ve lived it myself. I was a patient long before I ever became a provider. I had speech therapy as a kid for my “S” sounds and thought I’d left it all behind—until college, when I watched my bite open up and my smile change practically overnight. Suddenly eating sandwiches (or tacos… tragedy!) was a chore, and my speech lost its precision. It sparked a curiosity that turned into a full-blown passion for helping others uncover the root cause behind these issues.
Now, I work with both adults and kids, which I absolutely love. I wish more adults knew these problems can still be addressed, and I wish more parents knew what to look for early—because a little support at the right time can make a world of difference.
At the end of the day, I just love to talk, eat, and laugh—and I get to help others do the same. It’s pretty special to give people the gift of confident speech, comfortable eating, and healthy breathing for life.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Honestly? A mouse!
I was lucky enough to work at Walt Disney World in Epcot through the Disney College Program, and it was one of the best classrooms I’ve ever been in. That experience taught me more than any textbook could about work ethic, going the extra mile, and how powerful a smile (or a well-timed sprinkle of Disney magic) can be.
I learned how to communicate with people from all over the world, adapt to every personality under the sun, and tune into guests’ needs—whether they were celebrating, overwhelmed, or just needed someone to notice them. It shaped how I approach my work today: with compassion, creativity, and a genuine joy for helping people feel seen and cared for.
It turns out that little mouse knows a lot about creating experiences people never forget—and I’ve carried that with me ever since.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Rejection is a hard pill to swallow. It’s probably been one of the biggest teachers in my life.
Growing up, I wasn’t exactly the straight-A student you might expect. I didn’t put much effort—or honestly, much care—into school. I was encouraged to not take AP English, but went right ahead and did so. When it was time for me to begin college, being on my own for the first time, fully responsible for myself, flipped a switch. I discovered my drive. I found a competitive fire inside me, fueled by my goal of getting into graduate school, that pushed me to become the best student I could be. I transformed into a 4.0 student, landed scholarships, joined academic honors societies, earned the Dean’s List every semester, graduated a year early with the Valedictorian award—and got accepted into the graduate programs of my dreams.
That wound of rejection taught me that my worth isn’t tied to any single “yes” or “no,” and that discipline and passion will carry me further than talent or luck ever could. It also gave me a huge heart for others who face setbacks. Because I know sometimes a closed door is just pushing you to build a better version of yourself on the other side.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. My long-time friends say that I have always been the same. I try to show up as my most authentic self—take it or leave it! I’m here to be fun, compassionate, and meet you exactly where you’re at.
Some days, that means I’m literally jumping around the room during therapy, or on the floor painting myself with food right alongside a kid. Other sessions bring tears and turn into heartfelt counseling. Every individual I see is unique, and I love shifting throughout my day to meet those needs. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader through it all, because life’s too short to be anything but real—and everyone deserves to feel truly seen and supported.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I’m planting seeds for the airway revolution of Fort Worth. Right now, I’m on a mission to educate and share the wealth of airway health—helping people understand how breathing, facial development, and overall wellness are all connected.
But my dreams are even bigger than my own practice. I want to see Fort Worth grow into a city where airway health is front and center, supported by a network of incredible providers—dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, myofunctional therapists, and more—all working together to change lives from the inside out. I hope to build a team to take this on with me!
It might take 7–10 years (or more) to fully see that vision bloom, but I’m here for the long game. Because better airways mean better lives, and that’s a legacy worth building.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.perrymyofunctionaltherapy.com
- Instagram: @perrymyofunctionaltherapy
- Facebook: @perrymyofunctionaltherapy
Image Credits
Mitali Ghuge @mitaligmedia
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
