4th March 2026
For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me. I was often told I was “too much” – too direct, too fast, too intense. At school, I was labelled the problem, not someone who needed understanding or support.
What I didn’t know then was that I’m neurodivergent – autistic and ADHD.
I was actually diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but I only discovered this years later. When I eventually received my adult autism and ADHD diagnosis and told my mum, she said, “Yes… you were diagnosed when you were little.” That moment helped so many pieces of my life finally make sense.
For years, I worked twice as hard to fit in. I pushed myself to appear “normal,” especially as I built my life and career in the UK. Because I’m Russian, my differences were often put down to culture – but the truth is simple. Same brain. Same pace. Same directness. Same deep care for doing things properly.
It was colleagues who first encouraged me to explore neurodiversity. After assessments and long conversations, everything clicked. I wasn’t failing – I just needed the right environment.
That’s what makes Discovery different.
Here, I don’t need to hide how my brain works. With understanding, flexibility, and open communication, I thrive. Not because of complex or expensive adjustments, but because it’s safe to say things like, “I need clarity,” “My brain is overloaded,” or “I’m moving too fast – can you help me prioritise?”
And when that support is in place, the benefits go both ways. Discovery doesn’t get someone who needs special treatment. It gets someone who is committed, driven, loyal, values-led, and deeply invested in doing things well. Because I’m supported, I can bring my best – consistently.
This is what I see every day in my work too. When people are understood and supported properly, they don’t just manage — they grow, they lead, and they make real change happen.
If you’re thinking about joining Discovery, know this: you don’t have to be anyone other than yourself. Curiosity, kindness, and willingness to listen matter more than perfection. Small adjustments can make a big difference — and together, they create a workplace where people genuinely thrive.
At Discovery, you’re not expected to fit a mould. You’re supported to do your best work – and to belong while doing it.