33 - Jimmy Clare and Thriving with Autism 11/03/24

Here's what to expect on the podcast:

• How did Jimmy initially learn he has autism, and what was his reaction when he learned about his diagnosis?

• Jimmy's advice for parents who have an autistic child.

• What should people know about the Crazy Fitness Guy website, and how was it created?

• Empowering neurodivergent individuals by providing the support they need.

• And much more!

About Jimmy:

Jimmy Clare is a motivational speaker, autism advocate, author, and founder of https://www.crazyfitnessguy.com/

Connect with Jimmy Clare!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crazyfitnessguy-c…

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyFitnessGuy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyfitnessguy/

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: www.boisemusictherapycompany.com

Email: [email protected]

Consultation: https://letsmeet.io/boisemusictherapycompany/30-mi…

TRANSCRIPTION

This podcast is for parents like you, navigating the world of neurodiversity with love and compassion. I'm a neurodivergent mother of three amazing neurodivergent children and a board certified music therapist. Our mission is to create a supportive space where you feel understood, connected, and inspired.

With practical tips, strategies, and resources, we'll help you and your child thrive in your unique way. Join us as we dive deep into the diverse world of neurodivergent individuals exploring topics like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory processing challenges, and more. We'll cover it all to empower, educate, and uplift both neurodivergent individuals and those who walk alongside them.

Together we'll create a world where every brain is valued and celebrated. We're excited to embark on this enlightening journey with you. We are your host, Samantha Futt and Lauren Ross, and this is the Every Brain is Different podcast.

Welcome to the Every Brain is Different podcast. We're here with Jimmy Clare, and Jimmy is a motivational speaker, autism advocate, author, and founder of crazyfitnessguy. com. Jimmy, we are so excited to have you on the show. Thanks for coming on. 

Thanks for having me. 

Yeah, so, can you tell us more about how you're involved in the neurodivergent community?

Yes, uh, I, uh, I'm an autistic individual as well. Uh, I'm, I'm helping spread, uh, wellness and healthy living tips, etc. from my autistic point of view. I'm not an expert in fitness. I'm just a very passionate person about fitness. And I'm one of those people who believe that there's a work life, health and wellness balance, everything in moderation, uh, Don't eat too much of one thing, don't eat less of one thing, uh, cause I tried a lot of that stuff.

It didn't work. 

Yes. Yeah. I've, um, I've tried that too. And I'm like, no, just moderation and things, you know? So tell us more about your journey. Like. When, um, when were you diagnosed? And then, like, how did that go? Let's just answer that question first. So, yeah. So, 

I was diagnosed around, like, 10 years old, I was in third grade and I went to this, basically, uh, I was asked a bunch of different questions, take different kind of tests.

I didn't know what was going on because all I knew I was going to leave school early just to go to this appointment. And I was like. They didn't get me out of school, because I absolutely hated school, because I was getting bullied, and I, uh, just kind of hated, um, let's just say, because I didn't meet their, my school's criteria, and they didn't like that, uh, let's just say I didn't fit in with their, everyone else, and they basically just treated me like, Well, he doesn't meet our criteria, so we're going to make everything as difficult as possible.

And I'm like, Julian, you wouldn't want to lie butt heads with them. Yeah. This is not this hard, is it? 

Yeah, so you were being bullied by like teachers and administration or by students? 

Students, and then there were some administrative staff that, uh, like from the admin building, he was like, we're not going to give you this.

And it's like. I thought you were supposed to help me educate me and yet now you're not giving me the resources and like awesome and the and of course I didn't think any any of this but but look I'm looking back at it 30 years later I'm like. No, that's like, and you guys call yourself an education school.

Yeah, yeah, that's super frustrating. What, um, like, what recommendations do you have for parents now who might be going through that same thing and seeing that in, you know, like, happening to their child? 

Uh, I would say Be persistent because, and this should come from my point of perspective, uh, and I'll give you an example.

This might be a little bit off topic, but it kind of goes hand in hand. As I, I didn't get to where I am today with Crazy Fitness Guy with, uh, not being persistent. I've been turned down multiple times from different companies. And, like for instance, I was turned down for, uh, Google News, and I told them, I was like, well, you know, and after giving them a very persuasive argument, they accepted me on.

And, uh, and so, what I said to everybody, be persistent because you want, because if they say no for right now, it's a no for right now. But then if you give a very compelling argument, They might change their minds, and if that doesn't work, find somebody who'd be able to advocate for you and your child, etc.

Because, you know, uh, there's a lot of resources out there today. I was literally on the cutting edge of, uh, autism because there was a 1 in 2, 500 back in 1997. And being diagnosed with autism and, uh, today is a lot more common. 

Yeah. Yeah. I think I heard like one in 36 or something like that is on the spectrum.

So that 

keeps changing every single year. 

Yeah. Yeah. So when I went to school, like, uh, what was it? I graduated like, oh my gosh, 13 years ago. It was like one in one 50, I think. And now it's in 1 and 1, 1 and 36, so yeah, it's, it's changing a lot, but I think that's good that they're, you know, like diagnosing kids to get, and adults, to get them the resources that they need, so I know when I was diagnosed, I was like, oh, I'm not, I'm not, like, neurotypical, just being different, you know, like, I, there's a reason why and it, like, really helped me.

So, I don't know. What do you think about that? 

I agree. Uh, I'm a, I'm, I'm kind of a firm believer, uh, that I'm glad I didn't really find out that I was autistic until later on. 

Okay. Uh, 

not because I just, I don't think I was really mature back then to understand what that really meant. And so, I didn't, I feel like it was a service to me to not know until I was ready to know.

Like, I kind of always felt like I was different from everyone else, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I don't know, I didn't even feel like I was Uh, mature enough to understand what all that meant. Yeah. And I'm kind of glad that like in 2015, I kind of decided to seek the information out and ask my parents.

And the reason I brought this up was because I was speaking to one of my friends slash colleagues the other day. And it's like, And no one told you? I was like, it's not a disservice to you? I was like, no, because I didn't want any, they didn't put any limitations on me. If I found out, like, earlier, would I just be another person to say, well, I'm autistic, I can't do this, or I can't do that, and this.

Label myself as somebody I can't do anything because I'm autistic. 

Yeah, yeah, that's definitely, I've heard that happening too. So what would you recommend to parents who are trying to decide, you know, whether they should tell their kids or wait a little bit or maybe it's just

I would say, let them wait to come to you if you have, if they have questions, I mean, if they found out sooner, but if they're like, I don't know, let's say my age when I was 10 years old, uh, I would say, I would say don't tell them until maybe until they got to, well, let me, let me be a little bit more specific.

And, uh, so I had literally just met with my, uh, my middle school to see if I can put on an event at the school. Uh, I used to go to years ago, uh, many years ago and they basically, uh, and. What I learned from it is that they don't, they're no longer waiting until like high school to go to, uh, have their kids go, uh, their students to go to their own IAP meetings.

Because I was, 11th grade was my first IAP meeting that I went to and that did not go over very well. Yeah. But now in, in my middle school and maybe my high, uh, they're doing it a lot earlier. And again, the students involved to say, Hey, what would be beneficial for you? And I was like, huh. And when I was there, you guys didn't give a crap when I had to say, yeah.

I mean, I didn't say that a lot in the meeting because I wanted to Speaking English. Yeah. how, just like, I was just thinking, it's like, oh, wow. I was like, no, no. I was like, I'm glad now you're opening it up. Uh, so, so, uh, uh, where I was going with that is that, uh, I feel like more people are getting involved, more people, more people are more accepting, et cetera.

And so, yeah, that's where I was going 

with that. Yeah. I love that you brought that up to like ask kids, what would help you in school? Like what do you need? So I did ask my son that before his IEP meeting and he's nine. And he was like not to go to school. I'm like, well, that's not an option. So, um, yeah, yeah.

He's like, I don't want to go. And I'm like, well, that's great for you, but you still have to go. So, yeah, but I love. Inviting the kid to the IEP meeting, involving them in the planning because you're planning for them and you want them to be successful. So why not involve them? That is, yes, I love that. 

Yeah, and I also say like, if they're not ready, if they don't know what autism is right off the bat, don't like, Hey, let me give you a whole course on autism because they might not be, maybe their brains are not judgmental on anything, but maybe their brains are not well adapted yet because like somebody who's in their adult age is where their brains are already fully developed versus as.

10 years old where we're very inappropriate and everything else. 

Yeah, yeah, for sure. And then also, I, um, had a parent once who she was like, Yeah, I talk to my kids about their autism all the time. And, um, you know, like we talk about it, they understand it. And then I was with her child, and I said something about him having autism.

And he was like, I have autism? And I was like, yes? And he's like, but I don't And then he's like, went on to say all these things that he'd seen other autistic people do and he's like, I don't do any of that and I'm like, well, you've been diagnosed with it and so we took him home and he had the conversation with his mom but even if you think that your kids understand what's, you know, like That they have it.

They might not. And that's okay. You know, just keep talking to them and whatever, but um, but yeah, but thank you. So, let's talk a little bit about Crazy Fitness Guy. Tell me about your journey, how you created it, what your mission is. I would love to hear all of it. 

Well, so, well, how I created it was, uh, when I was enrolled in college and I enrolled myself in college in 2015, fall of 2015, I said to my parents, like, as a high school, I was not ever going to college.

Uh, that lasted for three years, and then, uh, then I decided to, you know, I want to go get my college degree because I said I was never going to do it, and, uh, school's been always difficult for me, so I was like, well, then life is not difficult, so let's go for it. Uh, if I didn't want to have any regrets and like, and then later on, like, it was like, oh, let me try to go to school while I'm 50 years old.

That's great. Uh, I mean, it's one thing to fit in while you're 30 because like, well, it's not far fetched. 

Yeah. Yeah. 

And I mean, I'm always one of the people like, you know, I can be a lifelong learner, but, but if I'm going to be going on campus, it's like, let's do it while I'm still young versus, oh, well, I'm as old as my teacher, Grace.

I like that. 

And so, uh, when I, when I finished my first English class, I knew I wanted to continue my writing because I know if I stop, it will just become, it would be a waste of time. So I decided, should I, I was like, what's the best way for me to keep writing every single day? So I decided to make a website.

And of course, when I was starting college, I was going to be the next fitness trainer, but math and science does not come easy to me as so ever, and not my strong suits. And that's where I feel like sometimes, uh, Hollywood, not bashing all of Hollywood, but there's some of Hollywood is like, Oh, well, they all agreed at math and science.

It's like. Next. And it's like you gotta start showing everybody on the spectrum. It's like, maybe not in every single show, but, but it's like, it's not just about math and science, it's like, I'm a, I'm a very fast speed reader that I can literally skim the whole page and tell you what the gist of it is.

Maybe I won't get all the other nooks and crannies part of it, but that's my specialty. And it's like, uh, and so, but, uh, so finally I, uh, I created the website on WordPress, big mistake for myself because even though I come from a very technical background, running a website is way more complicated than anybody really needs to make it be.

And everybody's like, Oh, WordPress is super friendly. It's like. It's not, because like, if you, and somebody actually pointed it out to me, if he, if anybody, if you've seen anybody saying recommended WordPress, 

it. 

You've eventually started seeing a pattern that they all affiliate market areas with, uh, links to their website, hosting platforms.

Because I seen this one company, not going to name any names, but, uh, first one they said like, Oh yeah, we're hosted on this platform. Then I seen another article, I was like, no, now we're hosted on this platform. I was like, so how are you hosted on two different platforms? I was like, you're the same company.

And I was like, that can't be correct. And so I was like. This is a whole big, like, I think it's a whole big scheme. It's like, I'm out of here. 

Just a scam. 

Yeah, exactly. And then I jumped in. Uh, to Squarespace for, uh, almost four or five years. And then, uh, and then I left Squarespace for a pod, uh, page, uh, where I host my podcast, well, my host is somewhere else for my podcast, but it integrates everything I do more easily, promotes my, uh, imports my YouTube videos from our live stream and parts of my podcast, uh, I progress with them manually, but I've been having more guest articles on my website because since I'm taking statistics this course, I'm like, this semester, I'm like, I am way in over my head.

And, but. 

Statistics is hard. That was, 

yeah. I'm like, why do I didn't learn this? It's like, well, everything you do in your business is statistics. Like, yeah, but it's not in a stupid chart like this that is on a dotted number line that you can barely read the thing. And it's like, I can read, it's like positive, great, negative, bad.

There you go. This is statistics. 

And it's always going to be flawed too. Exactly. Like, what's the point? 

It's like, what's the meaning of this? It's like, I don't really care what the meaning of it is. I was like, I had this working on me all day. I was like, this person wants a peanut butter cookie. What's the probability?

And he's like, just look in the baggie and get the freaking peanut butter cookie. 

I love that. No, statistics is the worst. Anyway, moving on.

Hey there, it's Samantha. Are you a dedicated parent overwhelmed with navigating the unique challenges of raising a neurodivergent child? You find it tough to understand impulsive behaviors, manage transitions, address educational concerns, handle sensory stimulation, and navigate social interaction struggles.

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I love that this, that this started with kind of your, your love, not me, not love, but like that you enjoy writing that.

Because of that, it led to all of this and all the things that you're doing now, and I think that's actually kind of cool. 

Thank you, and I just want to say one other thing real quick. Uh, I And how I got into, uh, motivational speaking was because I knew with all the challenges that I overcame that I was like, I need to share this with somebody so that they can avoid all the obstacles that I had to go through.

And it was like, no one has to share, I had to go through hell and back and do the same thing that I went through. Okay, it's 2024 now, and like, everybody's more accepting to others, um, than everything else. Now it's gonna be accepted for autism. And like, this is completely baloney. And I, and after it's starting to Navigate health care and everything.

I'm saying this system is way broken and this is too stupid. And it's like, we need a system for people with extra challenges for, uh, well, the doctors in the right place. And, uh, one building, you might have to go up one or two flights of stairs or an elevator, but gee, I'd rather have everybody in one place versus having to, well, you have to drive all the way to Timbuktu land over here, but you can't see a doctor for two and a half months later on.

I was like, oh, great. 

Yeah. Yeah. That's frustrating. Definitely. I feel your frustration when I, yes, yes, I understand. I feel like that's just 

like a simple thing. Like, if you're in this field, or and you're helping individuals, like, why wouldn't you come together as a community? I mean, like, let's, let's, let's get in this home base area.

Let's, Put it close together, make it simple, God forbid. 

It's like everybody's working against each other. It's like, I'm going to be competitive with this person, and I'm going to be competitive with this person. Like. 

Take a step back why you got here in the first place. It's because you cared. I'm hoping anyways, thanks people So, I don't know.

Maybe somebody will create that that one for all office building 

Hopefully 

we can always How did you I I was just on your website this morning, and I really love your creed to live by Do you have a favorite one on there that? Or how did you come up with those specifically? 

Uh, to be honest, I just created that out of the top of my head.

And I, I always just think that people who live a balanced lifestyle should, should feel like accomplished. Feeling like, hey, you know, I'm not working super late. I'm not, uh, I'm not, uh, feeling burnt out. I'm. Everything's balanced and I think I was like, well, how do I put this in words? And so it was like, well, if you've got a bed on time and then wake up at the same time,

I'm one of those people who's like, I, I just created it as to be kind of like fun, creative and stand out from others because like some people, some companies just have like short mottos and say, 

yeah. Uh, 

here's a creed to live by. 

I love it. I think my favorite one is to just live one day at a time. Just one, one thing at a time, one day at a time.

I think that's my favorite. So I, 

I like, I like that too, because you know, like so much people like, like, oh, I had to plan this all out until I months in advance. And I was like, yeah. To be honest, I, I booked, I guess, uh, months in advance, but that's only because I do only an X amount of shows a week and Logistic 

reasons.

Yeah. And it's like, but it's like, uh, again, I just, like, three months ahead and people are already booked. It's like, and I just keep scrambling for more guests. It's like, if I'm already booked, it's like, that's just a time slot holder. It's like, if they need to change their time, change your time. 

I also like, and this is probably my second favorite, is listen to your inner self.

Like, you know yourself best, like, listen to yourself. I really like that one as well. And I like that you're like, whether you're hungry, you're sad, like, listen to yourself and do something about it. 

Exactly. I love it. Thank you.

So, um, we are just about out of time. So our next question is, do you have any resources for parents or people with autism or other neurodivergent diagnoses? 

Uh, yeah, uh, pretty much my, my whole, uh, articles I write on my website, even guest articles, um, uh, their resource, my podcast is the resource. Uh, like, you know, you might think, well, my whole podcast is not all about autism.

You might see in some of the titles and whatnot, but every. I like to say, because it's my bread and butter, so to speak, I've sprinkled it here and there through different articles, podcast episodes, might make a reference a couple of times, etc. And so, and there's some, uh, and there's some, uh, episodes that are specifically about autism.

I was like living with it, but then there's others that are just sprinkled throughout. So, you know, it's always the backbone of Crazy Fitness Guy and will always be. 

Awesome. And then where can people find you online? 

The best place is to go to crazybusinessguy. com, like, if I was like, Oh, you're just promoting yourself.

I was like, no, but I have one too many profiles. Like, uh, I set this up to be a brand, uh, because I didn't want it just to be about. Oh, who's jimmyclare. com. It's like, no, I wanted it to be a brand just so that it's a welcoming community, not just about one person and one person alone. And I don't think I like the people who do that.

I like, um, Like Tony Robbins, I'm not saying that about him, but I just didn't want it to be like, oh, brand about, I'm not saying that his brand is about him, but I just didn't want to be like Tony Robbins. com. I was like, no, I just wanted it to be crazy fitness guy. com. But it was just like, Hey, you know, it's a welcoming community full of people who love about health and wellness and, uh, care about the autism community and one step at a time.

I love it. Love it. And our last question is what do you do for fun? 

I like playing video games. I also like reading. Uh, I'm a, I'm also a big fan of watching movies and TV shows. Uh, I'm currently binge watching a little bit on Netflix, uh, Cobra Kai. Nice. Very big fan of karate. 

Oh, I love it. I love that you listed more than one because everyone's always like, uh, I don't know.

It's like they really have to think about it. Yeah. It's what's up in your life, guys. 

I don't know. What's fun? 

Yeah, no, I love it. I love that you have multiple things that you're, you have fun with. That's because that's important. That's part of the moderation piece, right? Like you work, you have fun. Yeah, it's, or if you really like 

and if you really, uh 

uh, 

and if you're really lucky, one of those lucky people, if you like what you do, it's fun too.

Yeah, for sure. Yep. Yeah. Well thank you for coming on. We really appreciate it. Thank you for having me. And definitely everyone go check out crazy fitness guy.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, let us know your favorite part and reach out to Every brain is different or Crazy Fitness guy. Yes. So. Thank you, Jimmy.

Thank you. Thank you.

Well, that was awesome. I, I like Jimmy and I'm very impressed that he was just like, I don't accept limitations because I have autism and I'm going to do what I want. So I, I 

actually really appreciate that because I actually know individuals who are on the spectrum and. Like they vocally use that as an excuse to not do things that they are very capable of doing.

Um, and so I appreciate that he has that mindset and that just because I have this label or this diagnosis, it's not going to stop me from doing the things that I want to do. So I also really appreciated that. 

Yeah, because I know a lot of people. That they think because someone has autism, they can't do things.

And that is not true. Like, yes, some people have limitations, but they can do like, just give them the support that they need and then they can do what they want. Like I, um, my mom knows someone who her son was like, I'm going to college. And she's like, how are you, how are you going to go to college? He's like, well, and he found a way and he went to community college and he found a bus that would take him to the college and bring him home and he was going to do it.

And all he needed was that support from people. So I love that he talked about that. Right. 

Yeah. I think that's awesome. 

Um, yeah. And then I liked that he talked about bringing. The person into the IEP meeting that the IEP is actually affecting. So even if they're in elementary school and they can understand, you can always ask, like, maybe they don't come into the IEP meeting, but they can say, what would help you in school?

You know? And if they're like my son and just like, well, I don't want to go to school. Well, but at least they know that you're asking them, 

you 

know, so maybe they can think about it. 

Um, I remember what I was going to say. Um, With the whole, sometimes we think that individuals can't do things or whatever.

Um, you know, one of the things I teach at work is to not assume anything about what an individual can or cannot do. Um, with like two extremes, like sometimes we think individuals that. present themselves really well, or are like higher functioning, uh, can sometimes do more than what they actually can do.

And then on the other side of that, sometimes we assume like lower functioning individuals or nonverbal individuals have less skills than they actually have. And like people don't even attempt to like find out what people can or cannot do. Um, and so, uh, it's just supporting and not preventing people just because they have.

A diagnosis or a label that they can't do things that anyone else could do. So, 

yeah, I love it. And everyone go check out Crazy Fitness Guy. He's got some good articles and tips and everything on there. And yeah, if you enjoyed this episode, reach out to us, let us know. I've been hearing some people telling me what they like about it.

And if you don't like something, let us know that too. 

We love the feedback also with a crazy fitness guy, uh, definitely check out his creed to live by. I think everyone could probably benefit. from, from those things, so. Yeah, for sure. Okay, we'll see y'all next week. Thank you for listening to this episode.

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