Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards: How Neurodivergent Individuals Create Their Own Opportunities  

The Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards were created by Genius Within back in 2019 because we wanted to shine a spotlight on the amazing people in our community who were not getting the recognition they deserved. Among them were often people who had forged their own path and dared to be different in one way or another.  

Specifically, within the Stereotype Buster category over the years we have seen some of our most attention catching stories. Whether it’s an Autistic champion surfer, a drag queen normalising ADHD for kids, or a non-speaking entrepreneur, these nominees either did things in a way that surprised others or achieved something that others thought impossible. Hardly surprising that us Neurodivergent folk are a little more willing to break the mould!  

One of our earliest Stereotype Busters was Bea Marshall who had certainly raised some eyebrows in the press for her barefoot lifestyle, and for her approach to parenting. As an Autistic woman raising neurodivergent children, her decision to trust and follow her own instincts, and to do so publicly, was confronting to some but inspirational to others, and she has now built her own up business from this. 

I caught up with Bea and asked her to speak on how her neurodivergence and individuality has shaped her personal and professional journey. She said: 

“My journey hasn’t followed any neat or linear path — but that’s the gift of being neurodivergent. I was never meant to fit the mould, I was meant to listen inwardly and build something spacious, sustainable and soul-led. Something that truly aligns with my authentic expression.” 

On the challenges that come with going against the grain she said: 
 
“It hasn’t always been easy as there’s deep vulnerability in doing things differently, especially in a world that rewards performance over pacing and certainty over curiosity. However, every time I honour my own rhythm — every time I stop masking, slow down, and trust the ‘weird’ way my mind and energy work, I uncover deeper alignment, connection and joy.” 

Pacing, Rhythm and Sustainability are themes that come up frequently when we speak with neurodivergent entrepreneurs like Bea. Often a motivating factor to go it alone is to gain the flexibility and autonomy needed to set one’s own pace. What may be perceived as being “work shy” or too slow and contemplative in a shared workplace, is actually the very pattern that can end up producing innovation and fantastic business outcomes when you trust the process (and yourself). 

We also wanted to ask Bea if she had any wise words for other neurodivergent people seeking to live and work more authentically and find their own way of doing things. She said: 

“My advice to anyone creating their own way is this: your difference isn’t a detour, it’s the doorway. Get rooted in what regulates and restores you. Let go of what the ‘experts’ say about neurodivergence and tune into what you know at your centre. Make space for softness and slowness – they are revolutionary acts in a fast world. And know this: you don’t have to do it the way anyone else says. You just have to do it in a way that lets your whole self breathe.” 

For neurodivergent people being unapologetically non-conforming does indeed feel like a revolutionary act. But doing things differently should not be seen as a liability, it is often the foundation for meaningful, sustainable innovation when rooted in authenticity. 

We asked Genius Within COO Fiona Barrett to speak about daring to do things your own way and prioritising authenticity in your approach.

She said: 

“Some of our best decisions have come from people who refused to follow the usual playbook. At Genius, authenticity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a genuine part of our strategy. When everyone feels empowered to show up as their full, neurodivergent (or neurotypical) self, we don’t just see innovation, we see integrity, resilience, and solutions that actually stick.” 

Forging your own path can look like business success, but it can also simply be setting boundaries and finding ways to truly be yourself.  

Finally, I spoke with a former winner who later joined our judging panel, Puneet Singhal. I asked him to share some of his story, and will leave you with his powerful words of hope: 

“Born in a Delhi slum amid poverty and chaos, I grew up in a world that constantly told me who I could (and couldn’t) be. My father was abusive; the violence I witnessed left me with countless scars, both visible and invisible. Society’s ableism and low expectations for someone like me with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Stammering nearly convinced me to stay silent and small. Yet those very hardships sparked a relentless drive in me to do things differently and carve my own path. I realized that if I wanted a better life for myself and for others in my community, I had to be the one to create it. 

Choosing my own way came with formidable challenges, I battled self-doubt and the echo of voices saying “you can’t”. There were moments I felt alone, carrying the weight of my past while trying to shape a better future. But staying true to my purpose kept me going, my mission to uplift others who felt invisible became my North Star, and even a flicker of hope carried me through each setback. 

 If there’s one lesson I’d share, it’s to never be ashamed of your story or your dreams. Be true to your purpose and hold onto hope, when you do, you won’t just survive, you’ll shine, and you’ll light the way for others.” 

Thank you Puneet, and to all the former Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards Winners who are out in the world creating brand new pathways!