We’re honoured to have joined BBC 5 Live’s “All About” podcast for an hour-long conversation on neurodiversity in elite sport. From Olympic rower Caragh McMurtry’s lived experience to Lucy Bronze’s powerful self-discovery, this episode spotlighted the strengths, challenges, and growing visibility of neurodivergent athletes. Here’s why this national moment matters—and how it fuels our mission at Neurodiverse Sport.

Neurodiverse Sport and the RFU have teamed up to launch a new suite of coaching resources, helping rugby coaches better support neurodivergent players. These practical tools are rooted in lived experience and designed to make every team environment more inclusive—from grassroots to elite.

Written by Maddy Nutt

Growing up without a formal diagnosis for autism, I very much learnt how to manage certain social situations and although on the outside I may appear to be thriving in these settings and an extrovert, inside my brain is a very different reality.

“If you create a safe space for people to share their different experience of the world you can be an enabler. You can help people step out of their comfort zone and achieve things beyond their limits.”

Sam Smith, a former British No. 1 tennis player and now a leading broadcaster, opens up about navigating elite sport as an undiagnosed autistic person. In this powerful blog by Olivia Rae, Sam’s story unfolds as a series of contrasting truths: discipline and disruption, calm and chaos, structure and overwhelm. Her journey reminds us that what’s often seen as “difficult” can in fact be the root of brilliance—when understood through a neurodivergent lens.

In this powerful second blog, Paul Burrows shares how sport has been a lifeline for understanding and regulating his Autistic and Dyslexic mind. From the calming effects of rowing on water to the obsessive challenges that helped him make sense of his mental energy, Paul reflects on how movement, structure, and self-awareness can create stability and meaning in an overwhelming world. His story offers insight into neurodivergent motivation, mental health, and the quiet strength found in purposeful routine.

In this deeply personal blog, Paul Burrows explores the powerful link between neurodivergence, sport, and belonging. From early experiences of exclusion to discovering rowing as his "gang," Paul shares how sport helped him make sense of his Autistic and Dyslexic identity. This honest reflection offers insight into the quiet strength of purpose-driven connection, the value of shared goals over socialising, and the importance of creating spaces where everyone can find their place—on their own terms.

What if neurodivergent traits aren’t malfunctions—but adaptations? In this thought-provoking piece, psychiatry researcher Dr Adam D. Hunt draws from evolutionary biology, anthropology, and sport to reframe ADHD, autism, and dyslexia as ancient variations of human design. When seen through this lens, these traits—often pathologised—become powerful assets in the right environments. From classrooms to training halls, Adam invites us to stop fixing people and start redesigning systems.

What happens when a child who’s been excluded, misunderstood, and on the verge of giving up finds a sport—and a coach—that truly sees them? In this powerful blog, Alex Hannah shares the story of his son Ieuan, a young neurodivergent judoka whose journey through Judo has brought growth, joy, and a sense of belonging. It’s a testament to what’s possible when clubs choose inclusion—and when parents and coaches work as a team.

Bright studio lights, honest storytelling, and a line-up of elite athletes turned Neurodiverse Sport’s first live panel into a master-class on neuroinclusion. From Sam Smith’s sensory challenges on-air, to Brooke Hendrix’s ADHD openness in a football changing room, to Greg Halford’s autistic hindsight, the evening moved from overwhelm to collective action—reminding us that coaching curiosity and safer environments are the real performance enhancers.

In this moving reflection, former international cricketer Olivia Rae shares her experience of attending the first in-person Neurodiverse Sport event during Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024. Through personal stories of survival mode, miscommunication, and finally, recognition, Olivia shows how neuroinclusive environments can create powerful moments of connection and change. This is a story of ripples becoming waves—and how small acts of understanding can leave a lasting impact.

In this honest and empowering reflection, Sarah Javaid—founder of Cycle Sisters—shares how discovering her Autism at age 40 helped reframe a lifetime of struggle. Cycling, once a simple mode of transport, has become her space for healing, joy, and autonomy. Sarah’s story is one of self-understanding, community leadership, and the power of inclusive movement. Her words challenge stereotypes and inspire a broader vision of what it means to thrive.

In this moving reflection, former international cricketer Olivia Rae shares how her late Autism and ADHD diagnosis reshaped not just how she saw herself—but how she lived. Told with honesty and grace, Olivia’s story challenges traditional ideas of success in sport and life. From burnout to balance, survival to sustainability, this is a journey about reclaiming identity, redefining what works, and finally, living unapologetically.

In this insightful blog, Dr Caz Nahman—child and adolescent psychiatrist and teaching lead at Oxford University—shares a composite case study based on her real-world experience supporting Autistic athletes. Through the story of Katie, a national-level swimmer navigating university life, we see how missed communication, misunderstanding, and well-intentioned coaching can impact a neurodivergent athlete’s wellbeing and performance. The blog offers practical guidance on building trust, improving communication, and creating inclusive environments where Autistic athletes can thrive.

In this second part of his powerful blog series, Autistic ultrarunner and UESCA-certified coach Ishmael Burdeau shares how embracing his diagnosis transformed not only his understanding of himself but also his entire approach to sport. From ultracycling across Europe to completing gruelling ultramarathons like the Spine Race, Ishmael shows how the traits often misunderstood in autistic people—focus, routine, and perseverance—are, in fact, strengths in the world of endurance. His story is a moving reminder that finding the right fit can turn difference into a defining advantage.

Ishmael Burdeau is an Autistic ultrarunner and certified coach whose early experiences with exclusion and misunderstanding in school sport mirror those of many neurodivergent athletes. In this deeply personal first instalment of a two-part series, Ishmael reflects on how endurance sport became a refuge—and ultimately a revelation. His story is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t always look like early talent or conformity, but can emerge through self-awareness, autonomy, and finding the right fit.

James Lovatt’s story is one of misunderstanding, vulnerability, and shame—until he began to understand himself through the lens of neurodivergence. Now a competitive rider and passionate advocate for neurodiversity, James reflects on the toll of masking, the dangers of unsafe systems in sport, and the healing power of self-awareness and support.