Wired for Sport – A Vital Conversation About Neurodiversity That Hits Home

Tonight on BBC 5 Live Sport, Katie Smith presented Wired for Sport, a compelling deep dive into neurodiversity in elite athletes. The programme featured candid interviews with footballer Lucy Bronze and tennis player Jenson Brooksby, opening up long overdue conversations in sport and society alike.

Listening in, I felt a strong sense of recognition.

As a neurodivergent person and former county-level gymnast, I know first-hand how closely sport and mental health are connected. Gymnastics was my outlet growing up – a way to channel my energy, focus my thoughts, and find emotional balance. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was a core part of how I functioned and felt regulated. When I stopped training and competing, I didn’t fully realise how vital that movement and structure had been. My mental health took a hit. I’ve since learned that my ADHD brain needs regular physical activity – not just to stay well, but to feel grounded, clear, and emotionally regulated. It’s something I’ve had to rediscover and prioritise over time.

From the age of 14, I coached gymnastics at Torbay Olympic Gymnastics Club, learning from some fantastic coaches who had coached me and supported me in my journey and I later became a PE teacher. My journey even took me into project and communications work for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid – a role that combined my love for sport with a growing passion for inclusivity and community wellbeing.

Several years later, alongside my daughter developing her own passion for gymnastics, I also coached at South Devon School of Gymnastics – home to Olympic gymnast Abi Martin - an environment where talent, discipline, and support came together, and it reinforced how powerful the right sporting spaces can be for young people.

Now, through my work as Founder of Collectively Diverse C.I.C., I support organisations, educators, and teams to better understand neurodiversity and mental health. Whether it’s through training on mental health literacy and wellbeing, supporting neurodivergent employees, or neurodiversity in sport and education, my aim is always the same: to create environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive – in their own way.

I’ve been fortunate to speak on BBC Radio 5 Live over the past 6 years, thanks to journalist Nick Hatfield – discussing topics close to my heart like dyslexia and education. It’s been an honour to be part of those conversations and to see these issues gaining more visibility in the mainstream.

When neurodivergence isn’t recognised or supported, it’s not just wellbeing that’s impacted – potential can be overlooked entirely. An ADHD child might be labelled as naughty or unfocused when really they just need movement, clear structure, and understanding. A child with autism might struggle with the sensory overload of a noisy gym or changing room – but with the right adjustments, they could thrive and become the next Lucy Bronze. A dyslexic athlete with slower processing speed might miss key information if instructions are only given verbally and quickly – but with clear visual prompts and repetition, they can flourish. Small changes can make a huge difference.

What Wired for Sport showed so clearly is that neurodivergent athletes bring unique perspectives, strengths, and needs – and that when these are recognised and supported, everyone benefits. Sport can be an incredible space for belonging and growth. Let’s make sure it works for all kinds of minds.