In this short episode, I open up about perfection, how it shows up in neurodiversity, and how it almost stopped me from making this podcast. We talk about the pressure to “have it all together,” why so many neurodivergent brains don’t begin unless they can do something perfectly, and the power of choosing authenticity over performance. This episode is a reminder that connection doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from being real.

The cost of hiding who we are and the freedom that comes with showing up authentically. After my car accident, I thought I was just healing from a concussion. Months of therapy later, I realized there was something deeper, the exhaustion of years spent masking, pushing through, and performing to a level it wasn't realistic. In this episode, I talk about the cost of masking — especially for women and moms who lose themselves behind caregiving, expectations, and perfection. I share the moment I realized it wasn’t just about recovery — it was about rediscovery. We’ll explore what it means to unmask, to start asking “What do I need?” instead of “What do others need from me?” and why it’s never too late to ask for help, to set aside time for yourself, and to reconnect with your real self beneath the layers of doing.

In this first episode of Walking the Neurodiversity Path, Coty Walker opens up about her family’s journey with ADHD, from advocating for her first son’s diagnosis in Switzerland, to missing the signs in her second son, to finally recognizing her own neurodiversity after a car accident. Through honesty and compassion, Coty explores how parenting, self-discovery, and changing seasons of life often lead us back to ourselves. 

Walking the Neurodiversity Path is a podcast of honest conversations about parenting, ADHD, and self-care for neurodiverse individuals and caregivers.Each episode shares personal stories, expert insights, and practical tools to help listeners move from surviving to thriving with compassion, clarity, and community.