My Neurodivergence Journey

My 20s...

After developing bipolar disorder at the age of 20, I learned to manage it over time, yet still struggled so much. I had severe sleeping problems, at the worst, sleeping at 10 AM and waking at 6 PM. A sudden onset of an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis), drained me of all energy, making it difficult for me to carry out my everyday life. I had chronic pain in my body, with my sciatica making it difficult to work or have a social life. For a couple of years, I had an alcohol addiction.

Although I had accomplished many things - with stellar academic performance, testing into selective schools, competing at national & international levels, often winning awards, it took me 7 years to get my undergrad degree. It was only later that I realized I had been battling chronic depression and anxiety for years. For many years, I had passive suicidal ideations almost every single day.

It wasn’t until my late 20s that a psychiatrist told me I may have ADHD, that my life made so much sense. I bought books on ADHD, but in true ADHD fashion, I procrastinated reading them. At this stage, I was not aware how much ADHD affected my everyday life and thus did not feel a pull to seek support.

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In my 30s...

I learned more about ADHD. I went on medication and made adjustments to my life to accommodate my ADHD. As I learned and understood more about my ADHD, I began to accept myself more with compassion. I realized that having ADHD is associated with so much guilt and shame on a daily basis. I reframed the narrative I had about myself - I was not lazy; in contrast, I worked almost too hard - I just struggled to start tasks and finish them because I faced invisible ADHD challenges and blocks every day.

As I learned to slow down, I also became aware of just how much stress and anxiety I had been feeling in my hectic life (nervous system disregulation). I was living inside a rice cooker. After self-coaching myself and making adjustments to my life, I felt much much lighter, happier and started slowly thriving with ADHD. My partner at the time also realized he has ADHD and together, we started addressing the effects ADHD had on our relationship. I have since realized that nearly all of my romantic partners are neurodivergent - naturally. I am always learning from them and our relationships.

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

About a year and a half ago, I discovered that I am autistic, making me AuDHD. I have been learning more about neurodivergence and the concept of 2e (twice exceptional: gifted + disability). Along with this, I also realized that I am queer, as many autistic individuals are.

(once I realized I was like..."wait, that was so obvious, why/how did I not realize 😂") Apparently, usually, people who are not autistic or queer do not spend too much time wondering about it - oh, duh? I have been exploring and learning so much since then.

𓍊𓋼𓍊𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𓋼

The Last 4 years...

of creating a career and online business

When I first found out about ADHD coaching, I intuitively recognized it would be a great fit for me as a career. I had known I have a lot of talent and passion but did not know what career I could channel it into. I had a feeling this was it.

I wanted to empower others to undergo transformations as I had. I completed my training with ADDCA (ADD Coach Academy) in 2022 and am AACC certified. I am also in the process of obtaining a PCC with ICF (International Coaching Federation) - its not a disability friendly process.

Fast forward 2 years,

as of April '24, I have a thriving online business supporting neurodivergent people come into their powerful selves. I get to do work on my terms, with flexibility, and work with people that bring me joy. Its unbelieveable that I have made a career out of having multiple disabilities and "mental illnesses." I get to travel and do fun things. It feels a bit cliched to say, but honestly it feels like a dream, still.

𓍊𓋼𓍊𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𓋼

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On a more personal note,

I’m from Korea and have lived in Korea, the UK, and the US, currently residing in Los Angeles. As a third culture kid, and avid traveler, I have been shifting through different cultures, often navigating spaces I don't feel I inherently belong in.

I have previously worked in the education industry for a decade as a college prep instructor, tutor and college admissions consultant, and in the manufacturing industry as a drafter. I am bilingual in Korean and English and working on my Spanish. I love traveling ✈️, cycling 🚴‍♀️, everything outdoors ⛰️, dancing 💃🏻, plants 🪴, exploring psychedelics 🍄 and all things DIY 🔨.

Proud )'(

Some of my current special interests are learning about trauma, different modalities of somatic healing (movement, fascial maneuvers etc), and polyvagal theory. I completed a Somatic Experiencing professional training in March '24. I have been realizing that I have a powerful intuition (as many of us do) and have been trying to lean into intuitive ways of doing things (instead of getting caught up in the all the thinking). I incorporate my learnings into my coaching and my intuition is a powerful tool that guides our work.

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As a queer immigrant woman of color, I aim to give everyone a safe space
to express themselves and explore the intersection of their neurodivergence and identities.

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The work I do with clients can be distilled into :
Supporting in Neurodivergent adults create balance, safety and control in their lives,
so they can bloom and cultivate more fun, play, joy and creativity ✨💫

My signature program is called Neurodivergent Magic ✨

My Approach to Coaching

Some indications we would be a good fit

Conventional (white man) Productivity™️ Isn't for You

You are craving gentler, softer, more supportive productivity.

You want to combine productivity solutions [outer work] with working through the tough emotional experience of being neurodivergent [inner work].

You resonate with my story

You struggle with getting things done (being "productive"), mental health, chronic illnesses, and addiction.

You resonate with my identity and neurodivergences

You are BIPOC, queer, autistic, ADHD, bipolar, 2e (gifted + disability).

You are like my other clients (and me!)

My clients tend to be creatives, small business owners, work in non-profit or tech, are graduate students.

Many of my clients are BIPOC and/or queer.

You are looking for a coach who...

Understands neurodivergent struggles first hand, is : empathetic, non-judgemental, honest & direct - bold, encouraging, provides a lot of accountability & support, solutions oriented, invested in your success, knowledgable & has cultural sensitivity, non transactional...and most of all, believes in you (even when you are struggling to)

You are a resistance against colonialism + patriarchy

You leaning into your disabilities and neurodivergence, unmasking and being authentically you is a radical resistance against colonial and patriarchal systems (Western norms of time and extractive productivity / ideas about what neurodivergence should look like vs what it actually looks like in marginalized communities). You and your life are a political statement.

Holistic

I balance the tools of ND coaching (tips, hacks, strategies) with holding and working through the very difficult, complexed lived emotional experience of being neurodivergent.

In short, we would be balancing inner work with outer work.

Tailored

Each person has a unique brain, unique needs with different circumstances, and a different way of receiving coaching.

To honor this, I let my intuition guide me in taking an individualized approach for every client and do not use one-size-fits-all tools.

Client-Centered

I empower the client to come up with what works for them and keep themselves accountable with my support. (we all know - no one can really make ND people do things)