It actually happened after Episode Five of Erasing the Stigma, where I interviewed Dr. Brock Eide. After we wrapped up the recording, I stayed on the call to tell him more about why I started Coloring Confidence.

I shared how I had always deeply struggled with reading and other school-related tasks, but never really had an explanation. I explained how those struggles shaped my empathy and my desire to support children with dyslexia.

As I described the challenges I faced throughout my schooling, he paused and said, “I think you have dyslexia.”

I didn’t believe it at first. After all, I’d made it all the way to my senior year of high school without anyone catching it. But he offered to let me take his dyslexia screener test, which showed a high probability that I was dyslexic.

That led me to pursue a full neuropsychological evaluation, which confirmed it: I was severely dyslexic! It was honestly shocking. To realize that I had spent the majority of my academic life navigating something so impactful without ever knowing it.

That discovery changed everything. It gave me the understanding, language, and tools I wish I’d had all along. And it made Coloring Confidence feel even more urgent and personal.

Dyslexia has shaped me in more ways than I can count, both before I knew I had it and after I was diagnosed. At its core, it’s given me a deep well of resilience, a relentless drive to persevere, and the ability to think outside the box. I’ve had to find my own paths, create my own solutions, and reimagine what success looks like.

Growing up, before I knew I had dyslexia, I had to be extremely creative just to keep up in the classroom. I used art, drawing, and hands-on tools to help myself understand lessons in ways that made sense to me. That creativity didn’t stop at academics; it spilled into everything I loved: drawing, painting, and crafting. It became a part of how I expressed myself and made sense of the world.

After my diagnosis, dyslexia taught me something even more powerful: that a label doesn't define your potential. I had always believed that deep down, but to experience it firsthand changed everything. It validated what I had always hoped was true.

Dyslexia also gave me something I never expected: a way to connect. Through Coloring Confidence, I’ve had the chance to work with kids, parents, and educators around the world. It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my life - to help others feel seen, supported, and confident in who they are.

Dear Friend,

You do not need to prove how smart or capable you are by getting perfect grades or earning praise all the time. The right people will see your strengths just as they are. You will discover paths made just for you and meet people who truly understand and believe in you.

The world is so much bigger than grades. For a short time, your abilities might be measured by a system that does not fully understand how your brain works. It is like asking a fish to climb a tree. If that is the only test, the fish will always believe it is a failure. But what the fish really needs is water.

And your water? It is the world beyond the classroom. It is also the classroom, when it is built to support how you learn.

You are not behind. Struggling does not mean you are weak. Your struggles are shaping your greatest strengths.

Keep going. You are capable of more than you know.

With so much belief in you,

Julia

When I face challenges because of dyslexia, I’ve learned to approach them in a few different ways.

First, art and visual tools have always helped me. Being able to visualize concepts or express myself creatively gives me another way to understand what I’m learning. That has been a huge part of my success.

Second, I truly credit my parents. Their endless support, encouragement, and belief in me have made all the difference.

And third, it comes down to my mindset. I’ve developed the habit of pausing, taking a breath, and reminding myself that a setback is not a failure. I regularly turn to meditation, mindfulness, and yoga to reset when things get tough. These practices help me stay centered and keep trying, even when things feel hard.

I believe perseverance is essential for anyone navigating dyslexia. The challenges are real, and it can feel like a battle at times, but it’s a battle that can be won. The challenges can be overcome with patience and perseverance, and that perseverance starts with your mindset.

There is a key to any door I want to unlock, with patience and perseverance, I will find it.