Living Authentically: Becca Lory Hector Redefines Autism and Success

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Becca’s late diagnosis sparked a powerful journey of advocacy, identity, and authentic living.

Becca Lory Hector reflects on how her late autism diagnosis at 36 transformed her life and deepened her commitment to advocacy amid today’s challenging political climate. She discusses the pervasive stigma and ableism that create barriers in professional and social spaces, and why inclusive environments are essential for genuine belonging.

Becca shares insights from her Self-Defined Living Course, designed to help autistic individuals reclaim their identities and create fulfilling lives beyond traditional measures of success and quality of life. She emphasizes the importance of community collaboration, leadership development, and prioritizing self-exploration for newly diagnosed neurodivergent people.

This conversation is a vital resource for anyone seeking to embrace differences, overcome systemic bias, and thrive authentically in the autistic community.

Connect with Becca:

Website: https://beccaloryhector.com
DEIB Disability Consulting via Truly Inclusive Leadership: https://www.trulyinclusiveleadership.com/
LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccaloryhector
Grab a Copy of My Book: Always Bring Your Sunglasses https://a.co/d/bYoYLYL
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BeccaLoryHector
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/BeccaLoryHector
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/beccaloryhector/
Self-Defined Living Course: A Path to a Quality Autistic Life
https://beccalory.com/downloads/self-defined-living-course-a-path-to-a-quality-autistic-life/
Self-Defined Living Shoppe
https://beccalory.com/selfdefinedshoppe/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity Voices Podcast
02:23 Becca's Journey to Diagnosis
05:45 Impact of Late Diagnosis on Advocacy
08:13 Reflections on Childhood and Self-Discovery
10:04 Stigma and Bias in Professional Settings
14:11 Advice for Navigating Stigmas
14:30 Self-Defined Living Course Overview
19:05 Feedback and Impact of the Course
22:36 Research Insights and Community Engagement
23:55 Survival vs. Thriving: The Autistic Experience
24:57 Quality of Life: Autistic vs. Neurotypical Perspectives
26:44 Creating Inclusive Spaces: The Role of Organizations
29:05 Barriers to Inclusive Leadership
31:03 The Autistic Glass Ceiling: Personal Experiences
34:29 Collaboration in the Autistic Community
36:27 Advice for Newly Diagnosed Autistics
41:15 The Future of Neurodiversity Inclusion
42:33 Challenging Myths: Autistic Leadership
43:40 Embracing Difference: A Key to Fulfillment

Disclaimer:

The content provided in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.
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Creators and Guests

Gino Akbari
Host
Gino Akbari
Gino Akbari is a global citizen with a passion for understanding the human experience. Having lived across multiple cultures and worked in a wide range of industries—from military training to acting, politics, and entrepreneurship—Gino has developed a deep appreciation for how people think, behave, and thrive within their environments. With over 12 years of experience training military personnel, he brings discipline, adaptability, and leadership into every space he enters. A multilingual speaker and lifelong learner, Gino’s journey has also led him to the performing arts, where he owns a dance company and embraces movement as a form of expression and connection. Today, Gino is a certified life coach with credentials across various disciplines. His mission is simple yet powerful: to explore what it means to live a truly full life—and to guide others on their own paths of growth, purpose, and continuous self-improvement.
Living Authentically: Becca Lory Hector Redefines Autism and Success
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