Emily Marlow

While those traits may have made me a challenge for my parents and teachers at times, learning to channel them has shaped me into someone who genuinely loves problem solving and proving people wrong. If someone says, “It can’t be done” or “This can’t be fixed,” my immediate response is usually, “You wanna bet?”

Of course, I do occasionally have to admit defeat. BUT when I can figure something out, oh boy! I get the strongest sense of satisfaction by knowing I stuck with it, looked at it from every angle, and found a solution where one didn’t seem possible. I used this skill all the time in my previous career as a Security Guard when using CCTV, and it eventually landed me with the nickname “Blood Hound”.

That same mindset carries into many areas of my life. I love being helpful and love using my problem-solving skills to make life feel easier for others. Growing up with a single mother, I learned that not everyone has a village, so I always try to be a villager, even if it’s only for a moment in someone’s life.

It also explains why I’m a serious hobby dabbler! If there is a creative pursuit out there, I have either tried it, researched it or become briefly convinced that it was going to change my life before moving onto the next one, thanks ADHD.