What if the thing you’ve always seen as your biggest limitation is actually the key to unlocking your potential?
After stepping back from the mic for over a year, I returned to the Dyslexia Lifehack Show with a conversation that genuinely shifted my perspective. Sitting down with Natalie Brooks, I was reminded that dyslexia is not the barrier we often believe it to be. It is how we engage with it that defines the outcome.
Natalie, founder of Dyslexia in Adults and now author of Dyslexia Unlocked, brought a grounded, no-nonsense perspective to what it really means to navigate dyslexia in adult life. This episode goes far beyond theory. It is rooted in lived experience, practical systems, and honest reflection.
We explored what it takes to build a life and career as a dyslexic adult in a world that often overlooks it. Natalie shared how her work has grown rapidly because it fills a clear gap. While conversations around neurodiversity continue to expand, adult dyslexia still sits on the sidelines. That gap is exactly what she is determined to change.
As we spoke, I found myself reflecting on how often dyslexic adults feel isolated or unsure of what to do next. Natalie’s approach tackles both head-on. Her framework is simple yet powerful: build confidence, implement strategies that work with your brain, and recognise your strengths.
What stood out most to me was the honesty behind the journey. Writing her book was not a neat, structured process. It was intense, demanding, and at times overwhelming. Yet through that process, she proved something critical. With the right systems, structure, and self-awareness, dyslexic individuals can achieve at a high level without forcing themselves into methods that were never designed for them.
We also unpacked the real-world challenges. From workplace misunderstandings to moments of self-doubt, Natalie shared stories that many will recognise but rarely talk about. What I took from this conversation is that dyslexia is not about fixing weaknesses. It is about understanding how your brain works and building a toolkit around it.
Her new book, Dyslexia Unlocked, reflects exactly that. It is not theoretical. It is practical, actionable, and built for ambitious adults who want to move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether that means going for a promotion, starting something new, or simply feeling more in control day-to-day, the message is clear: there is a way forward.
This episode is not only about dyslexia. It is about ownership, resilience, and redefining what capability looks like.
Dyslexic Hack:
- Deadlines, lots and lots of deadlines
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Welcome back and reintroducing Natalie Brooks
- 02:00 – Growth of Dyslexia in Adults and the gap in adult dyslexia support
- 06:00 – Building a dyslexic-friendly business with structure and systems
- 08:00 – How a viral moment led to a book deal
- 10:30 – Writing the book and overcoming the blank page challenge
- 14:00 – The framework: confidence, strategies, and strengths
- 18:00 – Real-life dyslexia stories and normalising the experience
- 22:00 – Who the book is really for
- 24:00 – Natalie’s personal journey and workplace struggles
- 27:00 – The reality of writing a book while running a business
- 30:00 – Managing focus, attention, and productivity
- 35:00 – Building confidence and pushing through self-doubt
- 39:00 – Why adult dyslexia is still overlooked
- 41:00 – Book launch details and why pre-orders matter
- 43:00 – Rapid fire questions and practical life hacks
Key Lessons Learned:
- Dyslexia is not the problem. The lack of understanding and the wrong systems are
- Structure, templates, and deadlines are essential tools for dyslexic success
- Feeling alone is common, but the challenges are far more universal than most realise
- Confidence is built through action, not waiting until you feel ready
- Practical strategies that align with how your brain works outperform traditional methods
- Dyslexia brings strengths such as creativity, storytelling, and big-picture thinking
- Success comes from designing environments that support you, not forcing yourself to fit
Keywords:
dyslexia in adults, dyslexia support, neurodiversity in the workplace, dyslexia confidence, dyslexia strategies, dyslexia strengths, adult dyslexia coaching, productivity for dyslexics, dyslexia success, Dyslexia Unlocked book
Selected Links –
- Dyslexia Unlocked by Natalie Brooks:
- Dyslexia in Adults
- Natalie’s pervious episode – Episode 39 – Natalie Brooks Founder of Dyslexia In Adults. Getting Passed, I Can’t Because I’m Dyslexic
