Welcome to episode #54 - We’re thrilled to be joined by Shea Belsky today.
Shea Belsky is an autistic self-advocate. He is the Chief Technology Officer of Mentra, a hiring platform for neurodivergent job seekers. Shea brings several unique perspectives to supporting neurodivergent colleagues: He has been the manager of neurodivergent & neurotypical employees, has reported to neurodivergent & neurotypical managers, and has advocated for the needs and well-being of his peers. Shea is excited to share these experiences with others to create a more neuro-inclusive workplace for everyone.
Questions
Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
Diagnosed at a young age (2 y.o.).
Had a lot of support throughout school (physical therapists, speech therapists, individualized education plan, etc.).
Did well at school and got into Cornell University where further development opportunities as a TA helped him grow his communication skills
Lucky to be able to pay it forward now as part of my work with Mentra
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
Sleeps well (apart from cats sometimes waking him up!)
Mental exercise to shut off thoughts when he gets to bed so he can sleep quickly
How do you fit exercise into your life?
A big part of his life. He and his wife both enjoy hiking, running, cycling and skiing
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
CTO of Mentra a careers site for ND people. Connects NDers with companies looking to hire ND talent.
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
Walking meetings
Blocking out time for deep work
Careers coach to help deal with communication challenges
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Outdoor activities (see fitness)
Dungeons and Dragons
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
Feed cats, shower, and head to work
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
Episode 53