Sam Cooper, an AuDHD coach from Brooklyn, discusses the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. They reflect on the metaphor of wearing the wrong shoe sizes to highlight the importance of recognizing discomfort and seeking proper accommodations. Sam shares insights into using tools like earplugs to enhance social interactions and navigating sensory needs within families. They also dive into the realities of running a coaching business, balancing passion with marketing challenges, and emphasize the value of community support for personal growth.
Emphasizing the importance of celebrating neurodiversity, the conversation advocates for recognizing and valuing unique lived experiences over societal norms.
The podcast highlights the challenges of self-employment in coaching, stressing the need for balance between passion and business demands for sustainability.
Deep dives
Celebrating Neurodiversity
The conversation emphasizes the duality of experiencing autism and ADHD, highlighting both the challenges and unique strengths associated with these neurotypes. Participants discuss the importance of recognizing lived experiences and how they contribute to understanding one’s identity and needs. They stress the need to celebrate neurodiversity instead of conforming to societal norms, which often overlook the strengths and insights of those who are neurodivergent. The focus is on fostering an environment that accepts and values diverse experiences, encouraging individuals to thrive rather than merely survive.
Importance of Sensory Awareness
The podcast discusses the significant role that sensory awareness plays in the lives of neurodivergent individuals. Specific examples illustrate how the right resources and tools, such as well-fitting shoes or effective earplugs, can drastically improve quality of life. Participants share personal anecdotes about their own sensory sensitivities, highlighting the misconceptions that arise when basic needs are overlooked. This underscores the message that understanding and addressing sensory needs is vital for increasing comfort and enhancing overall daily functioning.
Navigating Self-Employment
Insights are shared regarding the realities of self-employment, particularly in the coaching sector, emphasizing the importance of balancing passion with the demands of running a business. Participants caution against the romanticization of entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges of managing marketing, sales, and client expectations. They discuss the complexities of setting boundaries and understanding one’s personal capabilities in this unpredictable journey. A key takeaway is the necessity of research and support systems to navigate the ups and downs of establishing and maintaining a sustainable business.
The Continuous Journey of Self-Discovery
Throughout the discussion, it becomes clear that the journey of personal growth and self-discovery is ongoing, especially for those with neurodivergent experiences. The participants reflect on the recurring need to reassess personal boundaries and sensory requirements as they evolve over time. They emphasize that therapy and coaching should not be viewed as one-time solutions, but rather, as tools to continually engage with one’s changing needs and environment. The conversation highlights that growth often involves revisiting fundamental challenges and learning to adapt through different life stages.
Sam Cooper is an AuDHD coach and generally awesome human. When we met in person, we bonded over having worn the wrong size shoes for years, which led to the title of this episode.
Sam shares about building a small business, and the upsides and downsides of a coaching business in particular.
Sensory needs and discovering support tools.
They also have an incredibly compassionate approach to their own journey.