What if the biggest barrier isn't disability - but perception?

In this deeply moving episode of Wit + Grit, PJ and Andy sit down with Taylor Mackenzie, Special Olympics GB swimmer, gold medallist and athlete leader, alongside Laura Baxter MBE, CEO of Special Olympics Great Britain.

Taylor shares her remarkable journey - from a young girl who struggled to speak, to becoming a double gold medallist in Berlin and now preparing to attempt a Guinness World Record just months after major spinal surgery.

Laura explains why Special Olympics is about far more than medals. It's about confidence, belonging, opportunity and challenging society's assumptions about people with intellectual disabilities.

Together they explore leadership, resilience, inclusion and why success should sometimes be measured by friendship, courage and joy rather than trophies.

This isn't simply a conversation about sport.

It's a conversation about seeing people for who they are - and what becomes possible when we do.

Key Takeaways

People before labels

Special Olympics focuses on the person - not the disability.

Success looks different

Winning isn't always measured by medals. Sometimes it's confidence, friendship and simply showing up.

Courage changes everything

Taylor's comeback after spinal surgery shows resilience in its purest form.

Inclusion starts with conversation

The biggest thing we can do is simply engage with people.

Challenge assumptions

Ability should always come before disability.

Different thinking is a strength

People with intellectual disabilities often bring unique perspectives that organisations desperately need.

Self-belief begins with someone believing in you

For Taylor, that started with her parents.

Legacy isn't built after an event

It's created years before through education, opportunity and changing perceptions.

Chapters List

00:00 Finding a Voice Through Special Olympics

01:03 Taylor’s Journey Into Swimming

04:21 Why Sport Creates Opportunity

06:46 National Games in Birmingham

09:38 The Origins of Special Olympics

10:44 The Athlete Oath: Be Brave in the Attempt

11:50 Community, Confidence and Friendship

13:34 Changing Perceptions Beyond Sport

19:05 Family Support and Taylor’s Berlin Golds

29:05 Recovery, Resilience and a World-Record Goal

32:30 What Athletes Teach Us About Success

34:56 Building a More Inclusive Future

40:08 Athlete Leadership and Advocacy

42:46 A Future World Games in Great Britain

45:48 Partnerships That Create Change

48:18 The Lasting Impact of the National Games

50:21 How to Support the National Games

What kind of Birmingham do we want to be living in 20 years from now - and are we backing ourselves strongly enough to create it?

In Episode 43 of Wit + Grit we are joined by Natalie King for a wide-ranging conversation about Birmingham’s identity, investment, talent and future.

Natalie explains why successful city-building cannot be measured only by attracting major businesses. The strongest cities also protect their culture, character and sense of place - creating somewhere people genuinely want to live, work and spend time.

She reflects on beginning her career with Marketing Birmingham, turning an internship into a permanent role within two weeks, and the energy, curiosity and willingness to get involved that helped shape her career.

The conversation also explores personal branding, confidence, vulnerability, coaching and the importance of bringing young people into rooms where decisions are made. Natalie argues that listening is not enough: young people need access, ownership and genuine opportunities to influence what happens next.

From AI and psychological safety to civic pride and the future of Birmingham, this is a hopeful conversation about backing talent, asking better questions and creating a city that is ambitious without losing its heart and soul.

Key takeaways

Birmingham has the track record to win major investment, but the type of investment matters as much as the amount.

Culture, talent, hospitality and quality of life are central to attracting people and businesses.

Cities should be designed around the lives people want to lead - not simply around buildings and corporate investment.

Confidence grows when people repeatedly prove to themselves that they can do difficult things.

Personal branding is really about understanding what opportunities people should immediately associate with you.

Young people often underestimate the value of their perspective and the power of asking good questions.

Bringing emerging talent into important rooms creates learning, confidence and better decision-making.

Inclusion means giving younger colleagues ownership - not inviting them merely to observe or take notes.

Vulnerability and honest conversations help create psychological safety at work.

AI is most effective when it supports, rather than replaces, human judgement, empathy and connection.

Birmingham needs to stop retreating into self-deprecation and become more confident in telling its own story.

Mentors and coaches help people identify possibilities they cannot see while immersed in day-to-day work.

The Birmingham of 2035 should be better connected, less car-dependent and full of meaningful opportunities for local talent.

If we want young people to shape the future, we must give them access, platforms and the power to influence real decisions.

Chapters List

00:00 Birmingham's Investment Potential

01:48 Natalie's Journey into the Workforce

08:11 The Importance of Personal Branding

11:01 Encouraging Young Voices

14:04 Navigating Challenges in a New Role

16:59 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Young People

19:11 Empowering Others Through Sponsorship

20:11 The Role of AI in Business

21:27 Youth Perspectives on Urban Development

22:53 Bridging the Gap Between Generations

24:16 Birmingham's Brand and Identity

26:08 The Importance of Mentoring and Coaching

27:32 Envisioning Birmingham in 2035

29:09 Reflections on Leadership and Community

What happens when you spend decades building a successful career before finally understanding how your mind really works?

In this episode of Wit + Grit, leadership consultant and soon-to-be-published-author Damian Kirk shares the life-changing impact of receiving an ADHD and dyslexia diagnosis at the age of 51. What followed wasn’t limitation, it was liberation.

Together, we explore why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership, why we’re making work far more complicated than it needs to be, and what businesses can do to create environments where people genuinely thrive.

From accountability over hierarchy, to AI, coaching, preparing young people for work and designing organisations for success, this is an honest conversation about leading with authenticity and building workplaces that bring out the best in people.

Whether you’re a leader, a parent, a mentor or simply someone trying to understand yourself a little better, this episode is packed with practical insights you’ll take away long after the conversation ends.

Sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn’t changing your career. It’s finally understanding yourself.

Key Takeaways

* Self-awareness is one of the greatest leadership advantages you’ll ever develop.

* A diagnosis doesn’t define you - it helps you understand your strengths.

* Different thinking isn’t a weakness; it can become your greatest asset.

* Great leaders create space for others to succeed rather than having all the answers.

* Simplicity beats complexity in almost every organisation.

* Accountability creates ownership; hierarchy often creates barriers.

* AI won’t replace great leaders - but it may expose poor ones.

* Coaching is one of the most valuable life skills anyone can learn.

* Young people need more real-world experience, mentors and opportunities to explore.

* Success rarely happens by accident - it is designed.

Keywords

Damian Kirk, ADHD, Dyslexia, ADHD diagnosis, neurodiversity, leadership podcast, leadership development, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, coaching, accountability, organisational culture, AI in business, future of work, workplace leadership, business transformation, leadership consultant, career development, mentoring, Wit and Grit podcast, young people, work experience, success by design, leadership mindset, authentic leadership, business growth, employee engagement, change management

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity: A Personal Journey

07:16 Transforming Leadership Through Self-Awareness

13:12 Preparing the Next Generation for the Workforce

20:09 Harnessing AI for Future Opportunities

21:19 The Power of AI as a Capability

22:58 Understanding Energy Costs and Their Complexity

25:30 AI's Impact on Leadership and Management

28:53 The Pinnacle Moment: Self-Awareness in Leadership

31:13 Advice for Young Professionals and Future Aspirations