EP. 300: My Son Markus' Journey: Turning Academic Challenges into Strengths and Resilience
Oct 2, 2024
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Markus, a recent college graduate who overcame ADHD and dyslexia, shares his inspiring journey from academic struggles to thriving in recruitment consulting. He discusses the importance of resilience, taking risks, and pushing through setbacks. Markus emphasizes embracing discomfort and finding success on your own terms. His insights are not just motivational; they offer a fresh perspective on managing challenges in both education and career. Listeners will find relatable wisdom as Markus reflects on his dynamic path and the lessons he's learned along the way.
Markus's journey illustrates the power of resilience, proving that overcoming academic challenges can lead to personal and professional success.
The episode emphasizes the need to shift the narrative around ADHD, celebrating strengths rather than solely focusing on struggles and weaknesses.
Markus advocates for embracing non-linear career paths, highlighting that personal fulfillment stems from exploration and curiosity rather than traditional success metrics.
Deep dives
Introducing Blends: A New Morning Routine
A new program called Blends has been created to help individuals with ADHD start their day with positivity and mindfulness. This program offers a daily 10-minute blend of coaching, intention-setting, affirmations, and humor, designed to ground participants and shake off feelings of overwhelm. The creator emphasizes that starting the day with uplifting content can enhance overall life satisfaction, similar to adding sweetness to a cup of tea. Scheduled to launch on June 3rd, the program is available at an early supporter rate, reflecting the creator's passion for helping others recognize their strengths.
Celebrating Success in ADHD
In the conversation, the host highlights the often-overlooked success stories of individuals with ADHD, pointing out that 43% of people with ADHD maintain excellent mental health. The podcast features notable personalities, both men and women, who are thriving despite their ADHD diagnoses, suggesting that the narrative around ADHD needs to shift towards celebrating strengths rather than focusing solely on weaknesses. The host’s mission is to inspire women to embrace their identities and capabilities instead of feeling constrained by societal expectations. Acknowledging both strengths and struggles is essential for fostering a positive outlook on living with ADHD.
Marcus's Journey: A Personal Reflection
The episode features a poignant discussion with Marcus, the host's son, who shares his personal experiences growing up with ADHD and dyslexia. Marcus recounts his academic struggles, including transitioning through multiple high schools and changing majors three times in college, defying expectations set by educators who doubted his potential. Despite initial obstacles, he has recently graduated from college and is excited about his first job in recruitment consulting. His story serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of believing in oneself despite external doubts.
Navigating Rejection and Career Choices
Marcus provides insightful advice about handling rejection in the job market, highlighting that the sales and recruitment industries are particularly competitive but also filled with opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, noting that even after multiple interview rounds leading to disappointments, maintaining motivation is crucial. Marcus believes that understanding the broader context of the job market helps to mitigate feelings of personal failure during each rejection. He encourages young professionals to view rejections as stepping stones rather than dead ends on their career paths.
Embracing Non-Traditional Paths
The conversation stresses the value of embracing non-linear career paths and personal growth, particularly for those with ADHD or dyslexia. Marcus and the host agree that traditional measures of success, such as completing school in a straight line, should not define one's worth or potential. The importance of exploring various experiences, including gap years or changing majors, is emphasized as a way to discover true passions and strengths. Encouraging a mindset that values curiosity and exploration over conformity can lead to greater fulfillment and success in both personal and professional life.
Celebrating the 300th Episode with a Special Guest—My Son, Markus
For this milestone episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I wanted to do something meaningful and personal. So instead of interviewing a high-profile guest, I invited my son, Markus. While we usually only feature women, there have been a few exceptions—like Dr. Ned Hallowell, my husband, and Markus, who has been on twice before.
Now, Markus is at a different stage in life. He’s just graduated from college after navigating a challenging academic journey with ADHD and dyslexia, including attending three high schools and changing majors multiple times. Despite being told he wasn’t “college material,” Markus has proven that those labels mean nothing in the long run. He’s thriving in his first job in recruitment consulting and has gained a lot of wisdom along the way.
In this episode, Markus shares advice that blew me away. He talks about what it means to take risks, to stay hungry in a fast-paced career, and how to push through setbacks with resilience. His story is not just about overcoming challenges, but about thriving and finding success on his own terms.
Join us for this special conversation, filled with lessons on embracing discomfort, managing ADHD in academic and professional settings, and building resilience in both life and work. You may even catch a glimpse of yourself or your children in Markus’s story.