By JoyGenea Schumer with grammar and compilation assistance from Chat GPT At five years old, my definition of success was simple: Don’t fail a class. Why? Because back then, I was the kid writing my letters backward, mixing up B’s and D’s and completely unable to tie my shoes. Left, right, bunny ears? Forget
I Almost Went into Hiding Again
Twenty-four years ago, I proudly stood on my college graduation stage and declared to the world: I am dyslexic. No more hiding. But recently, I was tempted to pull out my old “I’m not neurodiverse” mask after hearing damaging language from public officials. In this raw and honest reflection, I share how fear, shame, and
DTMM: You are the captain of your story
In this week’s Different Thinker Motivational Moment, I share an empowering reminder for neurodivergent individuals: You are the captain of your own story. The world may try to label or limit you—but your differently-wired brain is not a weakness; it’s your greatest strength. Whether you live with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or other forms of
I almost went into hiding and pulled up my ‘I’m not neurodiverse’ mask
by JoyGenea Schumer with no assistance from AI Almost exactly to the date, in 2001, I stood up at my college graduation from Saint Cloud Technical and Community College and gave a speech, and in that speech, I said I was dyslexic. My photo and a piece of my speech made it into the
You Are NOT the Label – Unlock Your Neurodiverse Superpower
You’ve been told you’re just the label—ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Anxiety, Depression. But what if that’s not the whole truth? 🤔 In this video, I share one of the most powerful secrets to thriving as a neurodiverse thinker. 💡 Spoiler: It’s not just mindset or hard work. It’s about understanding your ingredients—your values, stories, strengths,
DTMM: Evict Negative Thoughts
In this week’s Different Thinker Motivational Moment, I am sharing a powerful mental strategy: how to send an eviction notice to the freeloading thoughts in your head. These are the repetitive, unhelpful loops that take up space, drain your energy, and rob you of progress. Learn a simple mindset shift to reclaim your focus and
The Secret Recipe for Neurodiverse Success (That No One Talks About)
You know what I’ve learned after years of coaching thriving, brilliant, stuck, and searching people? Especially those of us who are different thinkers — people with ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, OCD, Anxiety, or Depression? There’s a moment where things feel… stuck. Maybe you’ve hit a plateau in life or business. Maybe your motivation is gone. You’re
Breaking the Anxiety Loop: Regain Control
Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty and anxiety? You’re not alone—especially if you’re neurodiverse. In this empowering message, I explain how anxiety hijacks the brain and how to break the cycle with simple, effective tools. Learn how to regain control through grounding habits, movement, reflection, and powerful mindset-shifting questions. 💡 Topics Covered: • What an “anxiety loop”
DTMM: Find the Humor in Your Neurodiversity
In this week’s Different Thinker Motivational Moment, I invite you to find the humor in your neurodiversity. Whether it’s a misspelled word, showing up a little late, or accidentally disrupting a conversation — it’s not wrong, it’s just different. Instead of apologizing, learn to laugh and embrace your unique traits. Let’s flip the script on
Creating Certainty During Uncertain Times and the Neurodiverse, ADHD, Dyslexic Brain
Creating Certainty During Uncertain Times and the Neurodiverse, ADHD, Dyslexic Brain Let’s not pretend that things don’t feel a little uncertain right now — they do. Let’s also not pretend that shift, change, and uncertainty don’t create anxiety in people. Oh boy, do they ever. That fear of change and the anxiety that