Posted 07 Oct 2024
My Journey to Becoming a Neurodivergent Coach and Genius Within Associate
Written by by Tumi Sotire
As a Black man living with dyspraxia, my journey has been shaped by both challenges and triumphs. Becoming a neurodivergent (ND) coach is not just a personal achievement but a significant step towards contributing to a more inclusive and understanding world. This journey was made possible through the generous support of Genius Within CIC, who sponsored my training and enabled me to join their team as an associate coach. This opportunity has allowed me to bring a unique perspective to the coaching landscape, deeply rooted in intersectionality and representation.
Why I Became a Neurodivergent Coach:
The decision to become an ND coach was deeply personal for me. Living with dyspraxia, I’ve experienced first-hand the difficulties that come with navigating a world that often doesn’t accommodate neurodivergent individuals. These challenges have instilled in me a desire to support others facing similar struggles, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
While I continue to work full-time as a health economist at Newcastle University, my role as a coach allows me to contribute in a different, yet equally meaningful, way. Coaching offers a powerful platform to empower individuals, helping them to harness their strengths and overcome obstacles. However, coaches themselves must reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of Black male coaches in the field, especially those who are neurodivergent. This lack of representation can lead to a disconnect between coaches and their clients, particularly in understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals at the intersection of race and neurodiversity.
The Importance of Intersectionality in Coaching:
Intersectionality—how different aspects of a person’s identity, such as race, gender, and neurodiversity, interact and shape their experiences—is crucial in coaching. As a Black male with dyspraxia, I have encountered numerous barriers that are specific to the intersection of these identities. These experiences have given me a unique insight into the importance of addressing all facets of a person’s identity in the coaching process.
As a coach, I aim to provide a space where neurodivergent individuals, particularly those from marginalised communities, can feel seen, heard, and understood. I strive to offer guidance that is empathetic and informed by lived experience and also grounded in qualification and with the support of Genius Within Associate network. This approach allows for a more holistic and effective coaching experience that truly meets the client’s needs.
Why Genius Within CIC’s Support Was Crucial:
Genius Within CIC’s commitment to fostering inclusive coaching teams drew me to the organisation. Their understanding of the importance of diversity in coaching and their dedication to supporting neurodivergent individuals align perfectly with my values and goals. When Genius Within CIC offered to sponsor my training to become an associate coach, it was an incredible opportunity that I could not have achieved alone. The training I received was comprehensive and accredited, ensuring that I am fully equipped to provide the highest standard of coaching. At Genius Within, I also have ongoing access to ongoing CDP training across a breadth of subject, to ensure my coaching practice remains up to date and I can coach at my best.
This training and ongoing CPD has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to support others in their journeys while empowering me to continue growing.
Jacqui Wallis, CEO of Genius Within has supported me throughout this journey, and we have talked honestly about the need for representation in this sector. Genius Within have reflected that recruiting coaches from Black and Brown communities has been more difficult. She has confirmed they are committed to seeking greater diversity and continue to engage in campaigns like Ethnicity Pay Gap review to benchmark salaries, as they have done for the past three years. Jacqui said “Representation across all aspects of diversity is incredibly important to us at Genius Within as we strive to reflect the communities we serve in every way. We continue to positively recruit from under-represented communities and have followed a number of different approaches to attract coaches from the Global Majority. Sponsoring Tumi in achieving his goal in gaining his coaching qualification is just one of these strategies and we are delighted to be supporting him in his coaching practice at Genius Within”.
The Power of Representation:
Being one of the few Black male neurodivergent coaches in the field, I am acutely aware of the impact that representation can have. When clients see someone who shares aspects of their identity, it creates a sense of connection and trust. It shows them that they are not alone in their experiences and that success is possible, regardless of their obstacles. Representation matters in coaching, and it is crucial where possible, services reflect the communities we support. By doing so, we can provide more relevant, effective, and empathetic guidance to those who need it most.
Becoming a neurodivergent coach has been an enriching journey that Genius Within has significantly supported. Their sponsorship and belief in my potential have allowed me to bring a much-needed perspective to the coaching field. Together, we are working to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or neurodiversity, has access to the support they need to thrive. While I continue my full-time work as a health economist at Newcastle University, I am excited to contribute to the neurodivergent community through my coaching role. I hope that my experience will inspire other Black and Brown men to consider getting involved in coaching.
In case you were wondering, I plan to coach in the evenings and weekends. Through my work as a neurodivergent coach, I aspire to support hundreds of neurodivergent individuals in the future, and I can’t wait to get started. This is just the beginning, and I am proud to be part of a movement making coaching more inclusive and representative, one step at a time.
If you would like to book coaching with Tumi, you can email Genius Within at ClientServices@geniuswithin.org and they can book you in or
