On today's show I'm joined by Mia Brooks, a longtime family friend. We dive into Mia's unique homeschool upbringing as the youngest of several siblings, her early leap into community college at age 14, and her reflective journey as a neurodivergent adult. From a less structured homeschool experience to discovering her ADHD as an adult, Mia shares candidly about burnout, creativity, and finding her voice through music.
If you're a former homeschooler navigating adulthood, neurodivergency, or the creative grind, this one's for you. We discuss everything from educational gaps to emotional growth, and how embracing one's uniqueness can unlock surprising paths.
Key Takeaways:
- Mia's flexible homeschool education fostered independence but masked underlying struggles.
- Community college at 14 gave Mia early access to higher learning but came with social culture shock.
- Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult reframed many of Mia's childhood behaviors and coping methods.
- Burnout and shame were lingering effects from trying to "overachieve" in a neurotypical world.
- Today, Mia channels her experience into music, releasing indie work under the name "Babi Manatee."
Check out Mia's Music Here:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ObF6Vylh7jUtpMeRx7GXr?si=5OS23T24SkS8SYdG5WygPg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babimanatee/
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Ex Homeschoolers Club
01:13 A Day in the Life of Mia Brooks
02:58 Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling
05:21 Early College Experience
16:05 Graduating Early and Future Plans
22:58 Discovering Neurodivergence
30:04 Childhood Memories and Dramatic Moments
30:57 Understanding Emotions and Therapy
32:30 Stigma and Neurodivergency
35:13 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Discovery
36:50 Homeschooling Experiences and Reflections
50:16 Music Career and Creative Journey
55:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell
If this episode resonated with you, hit that subscribe button, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who grew up outside the box. Want more behind-the-scenes content? Sign up for my free newsletter—link in the show notes below. And don’t forget to stream Mia's album and follow her musical journey as Babi Manatee!
#ExHomeschoolersClub #ADHD #Neurodivergent #HomeschoolLife #CreativeJourney #IndieMusic #BurnoutRecovery #BabiManatee #PodcastInterview
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