Side Quest 2: When the Puzzle Pieces Fit: Finding Clarity Through an Autism Diagnosis

The Fear That Won’t Shut Up Living with ADHD as a Mom, Wife, and Over Thinker

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

Side Quest 2: When the Puzzle Pieces Fit: Finding Clarity Through an Autism Diagnosis

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 podcast@useyourfear.com [podcast@useyourfear.com] useyourfear.com [http://useyourfear.com]

Part 2: Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy

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.autismspeaks.org] * https://www.easterseals.com [https://www.easterseals.com] * https://www.texasautismsociety.org [https://www.texasautismsociety.org] * https://autismsociety.org [https://autismsociety.org] * https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/ [https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/] * https://www.templegrandin.com [https://www.templegrandin.com] 🔔 Subscribe for more stories about turning fear into power, purpose, and community. 🎧 Listen now or watch on YouTube 💛 Support us on Patreon 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com [http://useyourfear.com] 📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more #AutismAdvocacy #HouseBill6 #UseYourFearPodcast #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity #TexasLegislature #ParentingJourney #AdvocacyMatters #DisabilityRights #AutismResources #SpecialEducation #ParentingThroughFear

Part 1: Turning Fear into Advocacy

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 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com [http://useyourfear.com] 📲 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

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

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 [http://useyourfear.com] 📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more LINKS FROM EPISODE: Texas Tasty https://www.thetexastasty.com [https://www.thetexastasty.com] Texas Tasty Instagram https://www.instagram.com/texastasty?igsh=MWdyZDI3M2FkbTh4Zw== [https://www.instagram.com/texastasty?igsh=MWdyZDI3M2FkbTh4Zw==] Dr Owais Durani Medical Instagram https://www.instagram.com/acedurrani?igsh=MWhqczU1dnNjYWR1aw== [https://www.instagram.com/acedurrani?igsh=MWhqczU1dnNjYWR1aw==] Dr Owais Linktree https://linktr.ee/owaisdurrani?utm_source=linktree_profile_share [https://linktr.ee/owaisdurrani?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f05f71e4-8722-426e-bd39-81f40b07aba6] KG BBQ - Austin [https://linktr.ee/owaisdurrani?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f05f71e4-8722-426e-bd39-81f40b07aba6]https://www.kgbbq.com [https://www.kgbbq.com] Troy Aikman - Eight Beer https://eightbeer.com/pages/our-story [https://eightbeer.com/pages/our-story] Alex Bregman - Wild Sol https://wildsol.co/pages/about?srsltid=AfmBOopNG_kisHXF3qV_eMFNdO2RIN_5Ndc-vLfrFRWXWoMFZZpr6YnD [https://wildsol.co/pages/about?srsltid=AfmBOopNG_kisHXF3qV_eMFNdO2RIN_5Ndc-vLfrFRWXWoMFZZpr6YnD] Bun B - Trill Burgers https://www.trill-burgers.com [https://www.trill-burgers.com] Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.instagram.com/garyvee?igsh=MWZ6d25pMXF2YjYzeA== [https://www.instagram.com/garyvee?igsh=MWZ6d25pMXF2YjYzeA==] KPRC STEM City https://www.click2houston.com/topic/Stem_City/ [https://www.click2houston.com/topic/Stem_City/] PBS https://www.pbs.org [https://www.pbs.org] American College of Emergency Medicine https://www.acep.org [https://www.acep.org] American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist https://www.acog.org [https://www.acog.org] Open Evidence https://www.openevidence.com [https://www.openevidence.com]