Pete Gustin might not be a name instantly recognized by everyone, but his voice? That’s a different story. As a highly sought-after voice-over actor, Pete’s vocal talents resonate across global radio and TV stations, bringing life to cartoons, commercials, and even dramatic movie trailers. What makes Pete’s journey truly remarkable is that he achieves all of this while being legally blind. This is the inspiring story of Pete Gustin, a testament to unwavering willpower, positivity, and the relentless pursuit of dreams, both in the recording booth and on the waves of Carlsbad, California.
From Voice-Over Booth to Surfboard: Pete Gustin’s Inspiring Journey
Pete Gustin’s path is anything but ordinary. While many might envision a voice-over artist constantly reading scripts in a brightly lit studio, Pete’s reality is shaped by a degenerative eyesight disorder called Stargardt disease, diagnosed from birth. As his vision gradually faded, Pete faced a critical juncture in his life. Approaching 40 and realizing traditional sports were becoming increasingly inaccessible, he made a life-altering decision: to learn to surf.
Leaving behind Boston, where surfing opportunities were scarce, Pete, his dog, and his girlfriend relocated to San Diego, California. Driven by the intuition that the vastness of the ocean and the size of waves might offer a sport he could master despite his visual impairment, Pete bought an eight-foot Catchsurf surfboard and plunged into the Pacific. This marked the beginning of an incredible chapter, where Pete would conquer not only the waves but also redefine perceptions of what’s possible for someone with limited vision.
Alt text: Pete Gustin, a legally blind surfer, confidently rides a wave in Carlsbad, California, showcasing his balance and determination.
The Voice Acting Enigma: Legally Blind and Reading Copy
The irony isn’t lost on anyone: a voice-over actor who is legally blind. How does Pete Gustin, unable to clearly read printed text, navigate the world of scripts and recordings? Early in his career, as an ambitious 18-year-old, Pete relied on sheer determination and a magnifying glass. He would arrive at auditions early, meticulously memorizing scripts under magnification, presenting the illusion of reading while reciting from memory.
One memorable audition highlighted the absurdity of the situation. After a seemingly successful “reading,” the studio director pointed out the obvious: Pete had been holding the script upside down and backward. This humorous yet telling moment underscored the growing challenge Pete faced as his vision deteriorated.
As technology evolved, Pete adapted. By his 30s, with the rise of home studios and digital workflows, he began using increasingly large font sizes on his computer screen, pushing the limits of visual accessibility. However, the limitations were becoming undeniable. A discouraging encounter with a prominent voice-over agent, who bluntly stated that someone unable to read copy had no future in the industry, threatened to derail Pete’s aspirations.
But Pete Gustin is not one to be easily deterred. Refusing to let his vision dictate his destiny, he embarked on a quest to find a new way.
Alt text: Pete Gustin in his professional voice-over booth, showcasing his focused expression and professional setup for recording.
The Serendipitous Text Message: Discovering an Auditory Path
The breakthrough for Pete’s voice-over career came unexpectedly, in the back seat of a car. While riding with friends around 2003 or 2004, a text message arrived on his phone, and the device’s voice-over feature read it aloud. As the phone recited “The Red Sox beat the Yankees…,” Pete instinctively repeated the message verbatim. In that moment, a spark ignited.
The realization dawned: if he could process and repeat auditory information from a text message, could he apply the same principle to voice-over scripts? This simple yet profound idea led Pete to develop a revolutionary technique. He began using a computer voice to read scripts to him through an earbud, essentially “reading” with his ears.
The initial stages were far from easy. Listening to a robotic voice drone through scripts was, in Pete’s words, “maddening” and “insanity causing.” However, he persevered, dedicating himself to mastering this auditory method. Through relentless practice, day after day, Pete trained his brain to process the computer-generated voice as input, much like a sighted person reads text on a page.
Years of dedication transformed this challenging technique into a superpower. Pete Gustin became known for his speed and efficiency in the voice-over industry, capable of delivering high-quality work with remarkable speed. His unique approach not only circumvented his visual limitations but also showcased his exceptional auditory processing and adaptability.
From Local Radio to Movie Trailers: Reaching the Pinnacle of Voice Acting
Pete’s journey to success was a marathon, not a sprint. For a decade, he tirelessly pursued opportunities, knocking on doors and offering his voice to anyone who would listen, from local locksmiths to small businesses. His first paid contract, a modest $150 per month from a rock radio station in St. Cloud, Minnesota, marked a pivotal moment. The validation of being paid for his voice, after years of struggle, was deeply meaningful.
Driven by resilience and a commitment to his craft, Pete steadily climbed the voice-over ladder. He honed his skills, recognizing that voice acting was not just about reciting words but about conveying emotion and connecting with listeners. He invested in coaching, refining his ability to act through his voice, expanding his range beyond the “big radio voice” to encompass a wider spectrum of characters and tones.
The pinnacle of the voice-over world, movie trailers, seemed like a distant dream. Yet, Pete’s dedication and talent propelled him to this very height. Ironically, early in his career, Pete had reached out to Don LaFontaine, the legendary “in a world…” voice of movie trailers. LaFontaine, despite his immense success, took the time to mentor the young, aspiring voice actor, emphasizing the importance of acting and emotional depth in voice-over work.
Years later, Pete’s journey came full circle. In a moment of profound recognition, he won the Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Movie Trailer Voice Over of the Year at the Warner Brothers lot. The award was not just a personal triumph but a testament to his perseverance and the early guidance from Don LaFontaine.
Alt text: Pete Gustin proudly holding his Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Movie Trailer Voice Over, celebrating his achievement in the voice acting industry.
Riding Waves Blind: Tuning into the Ocean’s Rhythm
Pete Gustin’s life is a fascinating blend of auditory precision in the studio and physical intuition on the surfboard. Having conquered the world of voice-over without sight, he embraced the challenge of surfing with the same determination. Despite never knowing a surfer before moving to California, Pete was drawn to the ocean, a familiar space from his sailing days.
Learning to surf without visual cues presented unique hurdles. Pete couldn’t observe other surfers, visually track wave patterns, or rely on sight to navigate the lineup. He became acutely attuned to other senses, developing a deep connection with the ocean’s movements.
Pete describes crouching low on his board, minimizing his visual field with a brimmed hat, and focusing on subtle shifts in water energy. He feels the ocean’s pull, the change in pressure, and the rhythmic surge that signals an approaching wave. This heightened sensory awareness allows him to anticipate waves, often catching them later than sighted surfers but with remarkable consistency.
While his late take-offs might raise eyebrows, Pete’s ability to consistently position himself in the pocket and ride waves with skill has earned him respect in the water. Fellow surfers, initially surprised to learn of his visual impairment, are often impressed by his wave sense and surfing prowess.
Alt text: A close-up shot of Pete Gustin surfing, highlighting his focus and technique as he navigates a wave.
Navigating the Lineup: Kindness and Frustration in the Surf
The surfing community’s response to Pete has been a mix of reactions. While most surfers are either indifferent or supportive, a small minority express frustration, often stemming from misunderstandings about his visual limitations. Pete is acutely aware of the potential for conflict and goes to great lengths to avoid interfering with other surfers, often positioning himself at the edges of the lineup.
Despite wearing a “blind surfer” shirt as a visual cue, occasional negative encounters are unavoidable. However, these are outweighed by positive interactions. Many surfers are genuinely inspired by Pete’s presence in the water, expressing admiration and offering encouragement. These moments of connection and support reinforce the inclusive spirit of the surfing community and fuel Pete’s passion for the sport.
Beyond Voice-Over and Waves: Pete Gustin, the Author
Pete Gustin’s creative energy extends beyond the recording booth and the ocean. He has ventured into the world of writing, showcasing yet another facet of his multifaceted talent. Years after penning a first novel as a personal challenge, Pete revisited his literary aspirations with renewed focus.
Inspired by his love for audiobooks and fantasy literature, Pete dedicated himself to writing a new novel, “Wish.” This 96,000-word fantasy story, told from the perspective of an 18-year-old girl, explores themes of revenge, wish fulfillment, and the complexities of human nature. The overwhelmingly positive early feedback has spurred Pete to further pursue his writing career.
Remarkably, Pete completed a second novel shortly after “Wish,” demonstrating his prolific creativity. With plans to release both novels, Pete Gustin is poised to add “author” to his already impressive list of accomplishments. He even intends to narrate the audiobook version of his second novel, a fitting synergy of his voice-over expertise and literary pursuits.
Pete Gustin: An Inspiration on and off the Waves
Pete Gustin’s story is a powerful reminder that limitations are often self-imposed and that determination can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. From mastering voice-over acting as a legally blind individual to conquering waves as a visually impaired surfer, Pete embodies resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of passion.
His journey is an inspiration to anyone facing challenges, a testament to the power of positive thinking, and a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to thrive against the odds. Whether you hear his voice on the airwaves, spot him catching a wave in Carlsbad, or delve into the worlds he creates in his novels, Pete Gustin’s story is one that resonates with perseverance, creativity, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams.
To learn more about Pete Gustin and his inspiring work, visit petegustin.com.
