Episode 427 – How Writing Builds an Unstoppable Voice and Purpose with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh

What happens when you finally understand yourself after decades of feeling different?

I sit down with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh as she shares her journey through autism diagnosis, mental health struggles, and loss, and how she turned those experiences into writing, advocacy, and purpose. You will hear how she navigated depression, chronic pain, and family trauma while raising a daughter with autism, and why self-advocacy became her most powerful tool. I believe you will find this conversation both honest and encouraging as it shows how understanding your story can help you move forward with strength and clarity.

Highlights:

00:01:35 – Discover how early signs of autism can be missed in childhood

00:06:54 – Understand how chronic pain and fibromyalgia impact daily life

00:08:23 – Learn what a late autism diagnosis reveals about identity

00:12:54 – Discover why autism appears to be increasing but isn’t

00:35:18 – Learn the real challenges of raising a child with autism

00:58:26 – Discover why self-advocacy is the most important skill to build

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About the Guest:

Randi-Lee was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and from a young age she had a passion for helping others. She attended Niagara College and graduated at the top of her class from Community and Justice Services, after completing her placement at a recovery house for alcohol and drug addictions. Post-graduation she worked at a Native Friendship Centre for two and a half years while pursuing a university education in psychology. Randi-Lee continued working in social services for another four years as an employment counselor until she left to pursue her other passions.

Randi-Lee is an author and outspoken advocate for mental health sharing her true story with honesty. From the age of 14 she struggled with depressive thoughts. There were times in her life that she wasn’t sure how she would continue. Depression continues to be a battle in her life but she is glad that she continues to live. She has spoken at events that promote wellness and compassionately shares her experiences with her own mental health. In 2021 she started a YouTube channel, Write or Die Show, to spread awareness about various mental health issues and to end the stigma associated with mental health.

Growing up she never felt that she fit in, being the last to understand jokes and confused about many emotions that she saw on others. In 2021 she finally had answers to the questions about herself that had been nagging at her. She was diagnosed with moderate Autism.

Another of Randi-Lee’s passions is kickboxing, which she did for about 10 years. She was a Canadian National Champion in kickboxing in 2015, competed at the World’s Kickboxing tournament later that year and 2016 competed at the Pan-Am Games, where she received silver in her division. In 2020 she was chosen as one of the coaches for the Ontario Winter Games where she inspired and coached young athletes.

Randi is a mom to two; her youngest child has autism and she is a grandma to one. Randi encourages and supports her youngest child's entrepreneurial spirit as he follows his dream of being an artist. When she can, she incorporates his art into her stories.

Ways to connect with Randi-Lee:

Websites:

http://www.rbwriting.ca

My Books

https://amzn.to/3LNbuCy

Write or Die:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSTmVQUW8K8r1sBDchLyTwA?sub_confirmation=1

What I'm Reading

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kMt8h95cfD3idamZ5LJZK?si=189fc2f901124993

Merch Store

https://write-or-die-show.creator-spring.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/rbwriting

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/randileebowslaugh

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@randileebowslaugh

SubStack

https://randileebowslaugh.substack.com/

About the Host:

Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject