Thick No More

What happens when you’re diagnosed with ADHD as a little girl in 1995, at a time when hardly anyone believed girls could have it? For Cristina Gilbert, it meant growing up under the weight of risk statistics, labels, and doubt but refusing to let them define her.

In this episode, Cristina takes us through her extraordinary journey:

• Early diagnosis at 8 years old and what it meant to grow up neurodivergent in the 90s.

• The impact of hearing “risk statistics” as a child and how that shaped her confidence.

• How swimming pools and high-pressure kitchens became unexpected lifelines, teaching her structure, focus, and confidence.

• Her reinvention from dropping out of college and battling the chaos of freedom, to finding new purpose in the kitchens, then leaping to the Netherlands to study agriculture.

• How a farming degree turned into a marketing agency, and eventually led her to EdTech with Cirrus Assessment, where she now champions fairness in exams and inclusion in education.

Cristina shares openly about masking, mirroring, and struggling to fit in but also about how those same survival skills turned into strengths. She reflects on how parents and educators can better support neurodiverse children by matching environments to their brains, rather than trying to force them into traditional moulds.

For anyone who’s ever felt “different,” this episode is proof that different isn’t broken — it’s powerful.

👉 Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn: Cristina Gilbert

🎧 Listen now to hear Cristina’s full story of grit, reinvention, and why “Thick No More” means shedding shame and embracing difference.

🎙️ Episode Description – Darren Clark | Thick No More Podcast

What happens when the world labels you as “different”? When you’re excluded, underestimated, and told you won’t amount to much?

For Darren Clark, that was his reality growing up with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism in a school system that didn’t see his strengths. Segregated into a porter cabin, given dot-to-dot books instead of lessons, and excluded before exams, Darren’s confidence was shattered early on. But his story didn’t end there.

Today, Darren is a global advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion. He’s taken his experiences from the UK to countries like Kenya and Bali, shining a light on the challenges – and opportunities – of creating a world that truly embraces difference. From corporate boardrooms to grassroots communities, Darren has dedicated his voice and his energy to making sure people with learning differences aren’t just supported… they’re celebrated.

In this powerful episode of Thick No More, Jason and Darren explore:
✨ Darren’s school years and the painful reality of being written off.
✨ The moment he began to see his neurodiversity as a strength, not a weakness.
✨ Stories from his work abroad and what they reveal about global attitudes to dyslexia and ADHD.
✨ Why businesses and schools need to move beyond “tick-box” inclusion.
✨ His message of hope for parents and young people navigating the system today.
✨ What the phrase Thick No More means to him personally.

Darren’s story is raw, inspiring, and filled with lessons for educators, parents, employers – and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated.

👉 Connect with Darren Clark
🔗 LinkedIn: Darren Clark
🌍 Project: Neurodiversity Stories

🎙️ “Just a quick note before we begin: this episode contains some strong language and open discussions about addiction and recovery. Listener discretion is advised.”🎧 Thick No More Podcast – Episode with Andy Stone

From expulsion and addiction to Guinness World Records Andy Stone’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this episode, Jay sits down with Andy to uncover how he turned a life of chaos into one of resilience, endurance, and hope.

Andy was expelled from school, battled addiction, and struggled to hold down jobs. Yet through his ADHD, he found not only challenge but also his superpower , With the right focus, support, and lifestyle changes, Andy went on to complete 70 half Ironman triathlons in 75 days, setting a Guinness World Record.

But Andy’s story isn’t just about physical achievement. It’s about:
💡 Understanding ADHD as more than just a label
💡 The power of resilience and self-awareness
💡 Why healthy living his Six Pillars of Health can transform both mind and body
💡 The importance of finding your “thing” and running with it
💡 Hope for anyone who has ever felt written off

Andy now works as an ADHD peer mentor, speaker, and advocate. He mentors young people and adults, speaks in schools, and helps others realise that their diagnosis doesn’t define their destiny. His message is clear: you are never too old, too broken, or too far gone to turn things around.

If you’ve ever felt written off by school, work, or even by yourself—this episode will remind you that change is possible and your strengths can become your superpower.

🔗 Connect with Andy Stone:
🌍 Website: andy-stone.com
📸 Instagram: @ADHDmentorAndy
💼 LinkedIn: Andy Stone
📧 First consultation: Always free – reach out for a chat!

Episode 2 – Rewiring the Reading Brain: Ingrid & Erika Poupart of NeuraLign
Season 1 | Thick No More

In this emotional and inspiring episode, I’m joined by mother-daughter duo Ingrid and Erika Poupart, the creators of NeuraLign – a game-changing program using neuroplasticity to help struggling readers.

Ingrid shares her deeply personal journey growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, learning to read at 21 while pregnant, and the years of frustration and resilience that led her to ask, "There has to be a better way." That mission grew into NeuraLign, built with the help of her daughter Erika — a graphic designer with ADHD and a powerful drive to help kids who think differently.

Together, we talk about:

• Why dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence

• How neuroplasticity can literally rewire the brain

• The moment their first group of students made 10-grade jumps in reading

• Why they're bringing NeuraLign to the UK now

• Powerful advice for parents, teachers, and neurodiverse kids everywhere

💥 Plus: hear what song would play when they walk into a room (and how overthinking it led to laughs).

🧠 “Reading is an important life skill — but it’s not a measure of intelligence.”

🔗 Connect with Ingrid & Erika at www.neuralign.org

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review.
🎧 Thick No More – no more labels, no more limits.

🎙️ Episode 1: Believing in Yourself – with Mary Wilcox
In our very first episode, host Jay Giddens sits down with former teacher and assistive tech trainer Mary Wilcox. Mary opens up about her experience growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, her love of learning, the challenges she faced in the classroom, and how one unexpected career detour led her to a job she truly loves.

From personal stories to powerful reflections, Mary shares how tech can unlock independence, what she'd say to her 10-year-old self, and why we all need to rethink what it means to be "smart."

🔥 Plus, find out which theme tune Mary would have playing every time she walks into a room a question we'll be asking every guest!

They called us thick. We weren’t.
Thick No More is the bold, honest podcast about growing up with dyslexia and finally rewriting the narrative. Hosted by someone who lived it, each episode dives into real stories, practical tools, and conversations with parents, students, educators, and innovators. Whether you’re navigating learning differences or supporting someone who is, this is your space. No shame, no limits just real talk.