Introduction

As our 2025 Neurodiversity Celebration Week webinar series continues, we turn to the second webinar: Neurodivergent Excellence in Sport, hosted by journalist Nick Ransom. Following the thought-provoking discussions on women’s sport from the first session, this evening shone a light on the remarkable achievements of neurodivergent athletes and professionals—and the unique strengths that drive their success.

With themes spanning ability vs disability, dedication vs obsession, and equality vs equity, the panellists shared stories that challenged assumptions and highlighted how sport can become a place where neurodivergence is not only accepted, but celebrated as a competitive advantage.

Watch the webinar here.

Host - Nick Ransom

Nick is a journalist, presenter, and producer who has worked with outlets including the BBC and ITV. He is also the founder of the Neurodiverse Media Company, a platform dedicated to raising awareness of neurodiversity in sport and media. Diagnosed as autistic and ADHD, Nick uses his personal experience to highlight both the challenges and the strengths of neurodivergent individuals. Through his journalism, public speaking, and advocacy, he champions authentic representation and greater inclusion across sport and broadcasting.

Panel 1: Ability vs Disability – Seeing Strengths First

The evening opened with Sarah Hope and Austin Varco, who both pushed back against the narrative that neurodivergence is primarily a deficit to be overcome.

Sarah is a retired professional wheelchair basketball player and para ice hockey athlete for Great Britain. She is also a public speaker and disability/neurodiversity advocate, sharing her lived experience of autism and the barriers she faced through years of being undiagnosed. Sarah uses her platform to highlight the importance of understanding sensory differences and creating inclusive sporting environments.

Austin is an American racing driver, and passionate advocate for autism, focused on creating better support systems for neurodivergent people in sport. Through his platform, he shares resources and reflections that empower individuals and organisations to see neurodivergence as a strength rather than a limitation. Austin’s professional work and personal journey position him as a strong voice for change in sport.

Sarah and Austin emphasised that excellence in sport often comes from the very traits that are too easily labelled as “disabling.”

“For so long, I was defined by what I couldn’t do. It wasn’t until I found the right sport and the right people that I realised my neurodivergence actually gave me an edge.” - Sarah

Sarah’s story was a reminder that when support systems and environments recognise differences as potential, athletes can thrive in ways that may never have been anticipated. Austin built on this point, highlighting the importance of shifting perspective.

“It’s not about fixing us—it’s about seeing the strengths that come naturally with our brains and letting those flourish in sport.” - Austin

His words captured the essence of the panel’s message—that by reframing ability, we open doors to a richer, more inclusive vision of sporting excellence.

Panel 2: Dedication vs Obsession – Harnessing the ND Advantage

The second mini-panel featured Claire Burley and Maddy Nutt, who spoke candidly about the intensity and focus that are common neurodivergent traits in sport.

Claire is an international rower, advocate, and speaker passionate about raising awareness of neurodiversity and mental health in sport. She speaks candidly about her own journey, including the challenges of balancing high-performance sport, academic pressure, and wellbeing, and how supportive coaching and culture can unlock potential. Claire is committed to reshaping narratives so that dedication is recognised as strength, not obsession.

Maddy is a professional gravel cyclist competing at international level and an advocate for diversity in endurance sport. Late-diagnosed with ADHD, she has spoken openly about how neurodivergence fuels both her challenges and her strengths as an elite athlete. Maddy shares her journey with honesty and humour across platforms, inspiring others to embrace their own paths.

What some might dismiss as “too much” dedication, Claire and Maddy reframed as a unique advantage that has helped them excel. Claire described how she has often been told that her focus borders on obsession, but she sees it differently.

“When people say I’m too focused, I see it differently. That intensity is what gets me through training, through competition, through setbacks.” - Claire

Her words illustrated the power of persistence, and how traits misunderstood outside of sport can become a competitive strength within it. Maddy echoed this perspective with her own lived experience.

“It’s not obsession—it’s passion channelled differently. And when coaches understand that, it stops being a problem and starts being a strength.” - Maddy

For both panellists, the challenge lies not in managing their own drive but in shifting how others perceive and support it. Their insights underscored how coaching and culture must evolve to embrace—not diminish—the dedication neurodivergent athletes bring.

Panel 3: Equality vs Equity – Building Fairer Systems

The final discussion brought together Davy McGregor and Milly Kellyman, who looked beyond individual experiences to the structures and systems of elite sport.

Davy is the Founding Director of The Rugby Institute and former professional rugby player. He also founded ERA-FIT Ltd., a bespoke gym-design company with a reputation for creating unique gym spaces. Through his work with the Rugby Institute, he’s involved with high-performance athlete pathways, knowledge-sharing, and working with young people.

Milly is a former Great Britain skeleton athlete who competed internationally, winning bronze on the Europa Cup circuit in 2021. Identified through UK Sport’s Discover Your Gold programme, she previously worked as a primary school teacher after earning a degree in Child and Youth Studies. Today, Milly is Athlete Community Manager at the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), where she supports athlete welfare, builds community, and amplifies athlete voices within elite sport.

Davy and Milly argued that while equality has long been the benchmark, it is equity—tailored, responsive support—that truly levels the playing field. Davy explained the difference with clarity:

“Equality sounds good on paper, but if everyone gets the same thing, it doesn’t mean it works for everyone. Equity is giving people what they need to succeed.” - Davy

His comment pointed to the limitations of one-size-fits-all policies that fail to account for neurodivergent needs. Milly brought this principle to life with her own reflections, providing a reminder that equity is not about lowering standards, but about removing unnecessary obstacles so athletes can perform at their best.

“Neurodivergent athletes don’t want special treatment—we want fair treatment. That means recognising where barriers exist and actually removing them.” - Milly

Together, they challenged sports organisations to reimagine inclusion, shifting from surface-level equality to deeper, systemic change.

Final Thoughts

Neurodivergent Excellence in Sport was a powerful reminder that sport isn’t just about medals and records—it’s also about perspective, resilience, and the different ways excellence can be defined. Each panel offered a vision of sport where neurodivergence is not merely accommodated but recognised as a source of strength, creativity, and drive.

By celebrating ability, harnessing dedication, and striving for equity, the session highlighted a path toward a sporting culture that doesn’t just include neurodivergent athletes—it actively values them.

Next, we’ll turn to the third webinar in the series: Neurodivergent Opportunities in Sport, which explored how sport can open doors, build transferable skills, and create pathways that extend far beyond the playing field.

Follow

Nick Ransom (host)

LinkedIn: Nick Ransom
Instagram: @mrnickransom
Website: NickRansom.com

Sarah Hope (panel 1)

LinkedIn: Sarah Hope
Instagram: @sai93

Austin Varco (panel 1)

Personal Website: AustinVarco.com
LinkedIn: Austin Varco

Claire Burley (panel 2)

LinkedIn: Claire Burley
Instagram: @claireburley_

Maddy Nutt (panel 2)

Instagram: @maddy_nutty
YouTube: @maddynutt

Davy McGregor (panel 3)

LinkedIn: Davy McGregor
Website: The Rugby Institute

Milly Kellyman (panel 3)

LinkedIn: Milly Kellyman

ND Celebration Week 2025: Neurodivergent Excellence in Sport