What happens when the way your brain works finally has a name — and that name is ADHD… but getting there comes with missteps and harm?

In Episode 15 of Use Your Fear, hosts Michelle & Whitney sit down with Rylan for a raw and honest conversation about late ADHD diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and the emotional toll of being overlooked because you “looked fine on paper.”

Rylan shares how she wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD as a child because she had good grades and was highly active in sports — a common experience for women whose symptoms don’t fit the stereotype. As an adult, she was misdiagnosed and prescribed a medication that significantly worsened her symptoms, leading to severe manic episodes and a year of emotional instability.

In this episode, Rylan opens up about the fear, grief, and confusion that came with those experiences, and how she’s learning to navigate life as a mom, wife, and overthinker while rebuilding trust in her body, her mind, and the medical system.

We talk about:

• How “good grades” and sports masked ADHD in childhood
• The real consequences of misdiagnosis
• Medication that intensified symptoms and triggered manic episodes
• Living with constant mental noise and overthinking
• Fear as spiraling thoughts, self-doubt, and rumination
• Learning self-compassion while still holding yourself accountable
• Using fear as a compass instead of a cage

This episode highlights the invisible labor of neurodivergent moms, the danger of dismissing symptoms based on performance, and the courage it takes to keep advocating for yourself when fear feels nonstop.

💛 Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means look closer.

🎧 If you’ve ever felt unheard, overwhelmed by your own mind, or exhausted from trying to “function” — this conversation is for you.

👇 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to feel seen.

#UseYourFearPodcast #ADHDWomen #LateDiagnosis #Misdiagnosis #ManicEpisodes #NeurodivergentMoms #MentalHealthPodcast #Overthinking #HighFunctioning #FearAndGrowth

This “Side Quest” episode hits different. No script. No agenda. Just two best friends talking in real time.

Michelle shares that she was recently diagnosed with Level 1 Autism (and ADHD inattentive), along with generalized anxiety disorder and chronic depression.

This conversation was recorded just days after that diagnosis, while everything still felt brand new, a little awkward and validating.

We talk about what it looks like to live for decades without knowing why things felt harder, why blending in became automatic, and why “seeming fine” on the outside can still mean you’re exhausted on the inside. Michelle opens up about being a chameleon to fit in, people pleasing, performing, and realizing how much of her life was spent trying to meet expectations instead of understanding herself.

We also side quest into how perimenopause played a part in her f***ing journey, how symptoms can intensify in your 40s, the mess of getting dismissed by doctors, and the mind-bending realization that she’s been advocating for the autism community for years without knowing she was part of it too.

If you’re late diagnosed, questioning, burnt out from performing, or you’ve ever thought “why does this feel harder for me than everyone else,” you’re not alone.

Michelle is learning out loud in this conversation without trying to step into the role of being a voice for the AuDHD community. She is open to input, resources, and feedback as she finds her footing to explore advocacy.

Resources and stories welcome at [email protected] useyourfear.com

Part 2: Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy

In Part 2 of Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy, Meredith Williams returns to share the next chapter of her journey — one that took her all the way to the Texas Capitol to speak directly with legislators about House Bill 6 (HB 6) and the rights of students with disabilities.

Meredith opens up about:

• What it was really like walking into the Capitol to advocate for her son
• How she found the courage to speak to lawmakers face-to-face
• Why HB 6 matters for families and students with disabilities
• The advice every parent should hear after receiving an autism diagnosis
• The resources she wishes she had known about sooner
• And what she would do differently if she could go back (including getting a medical diagnosis earlier)

This episode is for any parent navigating fear, any educator who wants to do better, and anyone committed to making schools safer and more supportive for neurodivergent kids.

💙 If you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or advocate — this conversation is for you.

👇 RESOURCES MENTIONED

• https://www.autismspeaks.org
• https://www.easterseals.com
• https://www.texasautismsociety.org
• https://autismsociety.org
• https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/
• https://www.templegrandin.com

🔔 Subscribe for more stories about turning fear into power, purpose, and community.

🎧 Listen now or watch on YouTube

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#AutismAdvocacy #HouseBill6 #UseYourFearPodcast #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity #TexasLegislature #ParentingJourney #AdvocacyMatters #DisabilityRights #AutismResources #SpecialEducation #ParentingThroughFear

What happens when a mother’s fear becomes her fuel? 💙

In Part 1 of Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy, we talk with Meredith — a mom who went from navigating her son’s autism and epilepsy diagnoses to standing up for change at the state level.

Meredith opens up about:

• The early fears after hearing her son’s diagnosis

• The struggle of getting only 25 days of therapy a year

• Facing “mom guilt” after learning he also had epilepsy

• And how one painful school incident pushed her to become an advocate for kids like her son.

🎧 Tune in to hear how she found her voice — and how fear became the driving force behind her advocacy.

💛 Support us on Patreon

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📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more

Part 2 continues their journey to the Texas State Capitol 🏛️

#UseYourFearPodcast #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #ParentingThroughFear #MomAdvocate #AutismAwareness #EpilepsyAwareness #AdvocacyMatters #PodcastCommunity

UYF Episode 12: The Texas Tasty Doctor Is In: Creativity, Courage & Care with Dr. Owais Durrani

From building a viral food brand in college to saving lives in the ER — Dr. Owais Durrani’s story is one of creativity, balance, and purpose. We talk about how he created Texas Tasty as a student, grew it into a statewide food and culture platform, and later used those storytelling skills to build a trusted medical presence online. He shares how he managed med school and residency (with help from his brother), his passion for inspiring kids through STEM education on KPRC, and how he’s working to fight misinformation in healthcare. Owais also breaks down the reality of AI in medicine, why the U.S. lacks a national patient database, and how that disconnect affects care from doctor to doctor. Plus, he sheds light on the growing specialist shortage — and how Medicare and Medicaid cuts could make it worse.

🎧 Listen now or watch on YouTube

💛 Support us on Patreon

🌐 Visit useyourfear.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more

LINKS FROM EPISODE: Texas Tasty https://www.thetexastasty.com

Texas Tasty Instagram https://www.instagram.com/texastasty?igsh=MWdyZDI3M2FkbTh4Zw==

Dr Owais Durani Medical Instagram https://www.instagram.com/acedurrani?igsh=MWhqczU1dnNjYWR1aw==

Dr Owais Linktree https://linktr.ee/owaisdurrani?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

KG BBQ - Austin https://www.kgbbq.com

Troy Aikman - Eight Beer https://eightbeer.com/pages/our-story

Alex Bregman - Wild Sol https://wildsol.co/pages/about?srsltid=AfmBOopNG_kisHXF3qV_eMFNdO2RIN_5Ndc-vLfrFRWXWoMFZZpr6YnD

Bun B - Trill Burgers https://www.trill-burgers.com

Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.instagram.com/garyvee?igsh=MWZ6d25pMXF2YjYzeA==

KPRC STEM City https://www.click2houston.com/topic/Stem_City/

PBS https://www.pbs.org

American College of Emergency Medicine https://www.acep.org

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist https://www.acog.org

Open Evidence https://www.openevidence.com

UYF: Side Quest 1: The Art of Doing Too Much

Life has been lifing, and your favorite fear explorers have been caught in the crossfire of busy schedules, creative overload, and trying to do all the things. In this mini “Side Quest,” Michelle and Whitney get real about what’s been going on behind the scenes, why it’s been hard to keep up, and how they’re learning to slow down without giving up.

We’re shifting gears to a bi-monthly release schedule — not because the fear is gone, but because we want to bring you our best, not our burnout.

Join us for a quick, honest catch-up on balance, boundaries, and what’s next for Use Your Fear.

UYF Episode 011: Am I Doing Enough? Fear, Joy, and Justice with DJ Rosez Join us on Use Your Fear as we sit down with DJ Rosez, a Houston-based queer Latina DJ whose music is a heartfelt celebration of identity, joy, and resistance. What began as a creative escape during the COVID-19 pandemic blossomed into a mission: using “Latin vibes” to uplift queer and immigrant communities and carve out spaces where everyone feels seen and safe.

In this episode, Rosez gets real about the fear of “not doing enough,” how it shows up in her advocacy and rest, and the challenges of carrying responsibility without burning out. She shares how she harnesses that fear to grow, while also recognizing when to pause, protect her peace, and lean into the joy that sustains her purpose.

Throughout the conversation, you'll hear how activism isn’t separate from her art—but woven through every set, every event, every moment she spends representing marginalized communities. From her milestone of performing at Pride Houston to her mission of “creating safe spaces for queer women,” Rosez lives at the intersection of visibility, joy, and justice.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of visibility, questioned whether you’re doing enough, or wondered how you can make a difference without burning out—this conversation will remind you that impact isn't about doing it all—it’s about showing up with authenticity, courage, and love.

📺 Watch on Youtube

🎧 Listen on any major podcast platform

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“The Warrior’s Voice: Living Authentically Through Fear”

In Part Two of our conversation with Kris (they/them), we move from the early stages of self-discovery into the realities of life after transition has begun.

Kris opens up about the challenges they face today—daily dysphoria, the complexities of binding, and the constant hyper-awareness required to navigate safety as a nonbinary person living in Texas. While cutting their hair once felt like the scariest step toward authenticity, now the fears look different: being visible in a world where visibility can mean danger, advocating for top surgery, and carrying the weight of both joy and risk in living openly.

Through honest reflection, Kris shares how community support has been both a lifeline and a reminder that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means showing up despite it. Their story is both deeply personal and universally human, a call to empathy and compassion for anyone who has ever felt unseen or unsafe.

✨ This episode holds space for:

• The ongoing challenges of living authentically in Texas
• How dysphoria and safety shape daily life
• The emotional process of preparing for top surgery
• Advice for anyone afraid to be seen, ask for help, or step fully into themselves

Kris’s journey is a reminder that trans people are not defined by fear, but by resilience, love, and the right to live fully as themselves.

📺 Watch episodes on YouTube

💛 Support us on Patreon

🌐 Visit useyourfear.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & more

📬 Want to share your story? Reach out — we’d love to hear from you.

#UseYourFear #TransJourneys #TransIsBeautiful #NonbinaryVoices #Authenticity #FearAndCourage #LGBTQStories

Episode 9: The Warrior’s Voice: Fear, Identity & Transitioning in Texas - Part 1

In Part One of our two-part conversation, we sit down with Kris (they/them) to explore the earliest chapters of their journey toward living authentically.

Kris opens up about childhood, family dynamics, and the deep inner knowing that their gender identity didn’t align with what the world expected. While beginning testosterone was an important step in their transition, Kris shares how the bigger fear was letting go of the outward persona they had built—cutting off their long hair and releasing the feminine, lesbian identity they once used as a shield. That moment of fear became one of the most courageous decisions of their life, allowing them to step into their true self.

Together, we talk about the shifting layers of identity, how fear shows up at different stages of transition, and the importance of community support. Kris also shares two painful experiences of being singled out simply for being trans, moments that remind us why visibility and empathy matter so deeply.

✨ This episode holds space for:

• Childhood reflections and early signs of gender identity
• Why cutting their hair felt scarier than starting testosterone
• What fear looks like before, during, and after transition
• Stories of both support and transphobia—and the resilience it takes to keep going

Kris’s story is filled with bravery, honesty, and heart. It’s a reminder that behind every label is simply a person—wanting to live, love, and be seen for who they truly are.

📺 Watch episodes on YouTube

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🌐 Visit useyourfear.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more

📬 Want to share your story? Reach out — we’d love to hear from you.

#UseYourFear #TransJourneys #TransIsBeautiful #NonbinaryVoices #PodcastCommunity #Authenticity #FearAndCourage #LGBTQStories

Episode 8: When Your Body Says Stop: Chris’s Story of a Health Scare and Healing

What happens when your body forces you to slow down—whether you’re ready or not? In this episode of Use Your Fear, Michelle and Whitney sit down with Chris to talk about the day everything changed: a sudden health scare that left him in the back of an ambulance, confronting fears of losing control, public vulnerability, and the unknown road to recovery.

Chris shares the moment he realized something was wrong, the emotional weight of being seen at his most fragile, and how pride, masculinity, and aging all intersected in that instant. He opens up about navigating doctors, lifestyle changes, and the fear of recurrence—plus how hiking and reconnecting with nature have helped him heal both body and mind.

This is a conversation about listening when your body says “enough,” finding gratitude in the aftermath, and using fear not as a barrier, but as a guide toward a healthier, more intentional life.

🎧 Listen now and reflect on your own relationship with your body—because sometimes fear is the nudge we need to start living differently.

📺 Watch episodes on YouTube

💛 Support us on Patreon

🌐 Visit useyourfear.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & more

📬 Want to share your story? Reach out — we’d love to hear from you.

#UseYourFear #HealthScare #TIARecovery #FearAsMotivation #HealingJourney #Podcast #Vulnerability #MenAndHealth #PublicVulnerability #MindBodyConnection #NatureHealing