Not all those who wander are lost.

 A-Brainers are the individuals that majority society often describes as “too” - too sensitive, too many thoughts, too talkative or too quiet, too active, too intense, too passionate, too different, too weird, or too much! 

Because of this "too", A-Brainers, without even trying, tend to challenge the status-quo - because the status quo doesn't work for them.  An A-Brainer needs different tools and strategies and environments to get the job done - but at the end of the day, is exceedingly capable of doing most, and sometimes rather extraordinary, things.

It is important to note that this "too" is innate.... it has always been with the person and always will be. It is not a "too" coming out of the need for attention, to be difficult, or the quest to be contrarian.  

Our services are designed to help an A-Brainer better relate to one's "too" so one can live their life with more appreciation and effectiveness.

The A-Brain is wired for purpose and meaning driven actions.  As such, A-Brainers often find themselves operating in the world as visionaries, entrepreneurs, healers, first responders, ground-breakers, servant-leaders, and creatives.   

One consequence of this wiring is that doing things that feel mundane, redundant, or boring actively drain the A-Brain's battery, making often simple tasks more troublesome than complex ones. By learning about this brain and how it works, you can learn various ways to address these challenges and ways to be more kind to yourself when your battery drops to zero.

Because of specialty wiring, A-Brainers can often “see” or “feel” parts of the brain system, human experiencing, and/or our environments that most are never even aware of.  

While this can be beneficial in many ways, the person with A-Brain neurology also can experience great isolation as fewer folks can relate.  And when fewer people can relate, it also means fewer people know how to help in ways that are actually helpful.  This can be very hard on an A-Brainer, who like everyone else, longs to belong, to be known and understood - and on occasion - helped.

Learning how the A-brain works and being a part of a like-wired community can help mitigate some of these hardships and provide opportunities for meaningful support, inspiration, suggestions, and reinforcement to live in alignment with one's wiring AND one's purpose.  

Because of the breadth and depth of different types and forms of A-Brain awareness and experiences, A-Brainers can bring greater empathy, understanding, awareness, and solutions to a world who otherwise can fall prey to group-think, numbness, misconception, false assumption, and conflation.

Sadly, far too many human beings assume that how they are is exactly how others are or should be, especially if they are in the majority.  Those falling "in the center of the bell curve" may then assume a sense of a rightness, normalness, health, or goodness that has nothing to do with the actual shared trait the majority possesses.  For example, the color of one's skin has no relationship to the quality of one's character, the size of one's skull says nothing of one's intellect, and the amount of money one makes says nothing about one's grit or intrinsic value.  

 A-Brainers shine in the places where the rest of the world gets stuck. 

While the rest of the world walks in a straight line, often going along with the status quo because it works just fine for them, A-Brainers expand into the areas around it - yielding more opportunities for new ideas and perspectives to form.

And when new ideas and perspectives form, opportunities for meaningful innovation and benefits for all aren't far behind.  A-Brainers are needed now more than ever to help our world make better sense out of the challenges we face for humanity and the planet and create solutions that truly serve us ALL.  

 YOU DO!  I feel strongly about this.  Because the A-Brain model is descriptive of internal experiences that cannot fully be measured, YOU decide IF and WHEN the model fits for you, how much or where it fits, or how often it fits.  Only you can feel what goes on inside of you.  You deserve to the right to name it.

You might, for example, find that all aspects of your experience register with A-Brain concepts discussed here - finding great comfort and understanding in much of your existence.  Or, you may feel A-Brained in certain areas - but not in most - like an extra-ordinary ability to feel the energies of the people around you, a depth of natural interest in particular subject areas where you can't stop working once you get going learning something about it, or a highly sensitive olfactory center where you can sniff out the milk that has been open one extra day in the fridge.  If this is you, you may find that in most arenas of your life, you fit in just fine with the majority of folks around you and engage naturally in most activities, experiences, and communities without much more difficulty than the next person.  

This blending of A-Brain and B-Brain states is not uncommon.  And, if this is you - bravo for paying close attention to your inner details and witnessing the reality of your humanity!  The variations of A-Brainers and B-Brain states rests along a continuum.  It is not Either/Or.  

We humans are complex in our design but simple in what ultimately matters.  We are vastly specialized in how our unique systems work - but we all deeply want to be known and accepted as we are within our communities of belonging.  

If you viscerally resonate with some of the A-Brain model, I encourage you to take what is useful, wherever it is useful, and leave the rest.  However, my one caveat is that here, at Coach Romo, we will focus on the A-Brain experience in order to learn how to best honor the A-Brain.*  

Most importantly, enjoy the wiring you have!  You have many gifts to contribute!  We all do.  And, if you find find benefit in our services, you are welcome here.  Just know that we may function a little different here than you may be used to and you may feel challenged at times to understand why certain things matter as much as they do. 

Also, know that Coach Romo is NOT anti-B-Brain.  Just because we choose to focus on A-Brain experiences at Coach Romo does not mean we are against those who function most dominantly and naturally in B-Brain ways. Both neural styles matter and have things to contribute to our greater well-being.

That being said, we also hope that by being here you find your empathy and awareness expand as you witness others carrying daily burdens that you do not.  BTW - that does not make you bad - or guilty - but it may make you feel uncomfortable sometimes because for the first time you might be in the minority position or you might start seeing how truly hard some aspects of living in this current society can be.  We ask that you hold patience and curiosity in such times - and refrain from judgement - of others here, for sure! - but also, of yourself.  We all have much to learn from being out of our "best fit" environments and we are glad you are here.

(BTW It is my opinion that it's time we step out of these binary and hierarchical lenses of judgement such as the belief that there is only one right way/one wrong way or having to attribute better than/less than assumptions to any particular person or experience. Coach Romo services are specifically designed for A-Brainers because A-Brain needs are often routinely over-looked and misunderstood.  To not highlight B-Brain processes here is not to diminish the value of the B-Brain, but rather to be a voice for change in how A-Brainers see themselves and how we are seen.)

A-Brain is my descriptive, non-pathologizing, non-diagnostic, non-medical term that originated from studying the type of neurology often found within individuals diagnosed with ADHD but it does not require having confirmation of ADHD neurology, a formal diagnosis of ADHD, or fit any particular symptom profile of ADHD.

Seeking something that would work for anyone who resonates with these described inner experiences, and a desire to stop the learned helplessness of "broken brain syndrome" I was witnessing when some received a diagnosis of having ADHD, I took the "A" from ADHD and attached Brain because we are talking about neurology here.  This is not YOU per say - it is simply a description of how your neurological wiring seems to respond to certain types and intensity of signals.  (Think of the electrical wiring in your house - some fuses will pop if a hairdryer is plugged in and turned on the same time you run the microwave, while other fuses will be just fine.  The house is fine.  You just have to learn what to plug in where.)  

I also chose "A" because it represented so many A-Brainers - Artists, Actors, Authors, Athletes, Astronauts, Academics (yep!)... or frequently found A-Brain characteristics - Altruistic, Authentic, Audacious, and/or (Mentally, Emotionally, Physically or Spiritually) Active.

And, frankly, it was time for my beloved A-Brainers to be considered first, in the alphabet at least, and here, at Coach Romo, anyway.  As anyone in any marginalized community can attest, it can be frustrating to always be the after-thought - or to be perceived as the one inconveniencing others because your basic requirements are considered the exception as opposed to the rule for everyone...that is, of course, if you or your needs were ever thought of at all.  

We may not have the majority numbers out in the world, but here - at Coach Romo -  You and Your A-Brain MATTER!  

Although the field of mental health has been vital in helping so many now identified as neuro-diverse, I was bothered by how many people believed their brains were "broken" and how this far too often led to internal mistrust and external maltreatment, layering more problems on top of a design that was already struggling to be understood.  

I developed the A-Brain language and model after growing increasingly frustrated by the process of formal diagnosis and the limitations within available evidence-based treatments in the Western medical model to reach all individuals with particular non-linear thought, emotion, and experiential presentations.  

I began to wonder what would happen if I read the ADHD research through the lens of  "what is" instead of "what's wrong?"  What happened was an integration of all sorts of stuff and ways of understanding this wiring in a way that was relatable, simple, and easy to apply - and people's lives began to change as they learned a new approach to their neurology.

The A-Brain Model offers a pathway for honoring specific varieties of neurological-wiring in what I believe it was evolutionarily designed to do, while also giving permission to recognize that a specialized brain deserves some specialized attention and care.

The world responds much differently to concepts of specialization than to disorder.  Truth be told, so do we.

This is not sneaky word play trying to hide a diagnosis or medical approach. 

While the people I worked with whom had been diagnosed with ADHD clinically had some difficulties - the majority of the challenges I saw were created by having to fit into systems of measurement not designed for how they operated.  And many of the actual co-morbid illnesses that developed were a result of the callouses and defenses that built up over years (or decades) of mis-understanding and maltreatment. 

  
I witnessed time and time again how "my people" were often the ones most compelled and best equipped to tackle the most complex, challenging and impactful projects others would hand off or give up on, but then the governing bodies or those in power, or the structural or institutional systems of measurement only tallied how many tasks were done, without giving weight to the complexity of their contribution, which often left them behind, punished, and/or seemingly "under-performing."  These evaluations only told part of the story.  It was unfair.

As I encountered more expansive persons outside of the Western medically-driven treatment space, I encountered so many who functioned similarly - with similar gifts and challenges - but whose unique ways of being were more accepted (instead of judged) and saw how they were better equipped to advance their unique contributions through this experience and how their contributions made the project, community, or world better.  

I realized that my A-Brain model fit their internal realities as well (sans diagnosis or any need to enter into any treatment) - and that having the A-Brain model provided relief, reassurance, understanding, clarity, connection, and guidance to so many.  

People deserve to know how to be better stewards of their specialized brains so that they can confidently bring their gifts to the systems around them and to our world.  And since this realization, I have expanded the term A-brain beyond those diagnosed with ADHD neurology to include all expansive thinkers, feelers, and spirits - including but not limited to visionaries, entrepreneurs, creatives, highly sensitive persons (HSPs), empaths, and innovators.

And finally, I believe these differences are a part of a larger evolutionary design, meant to make sure that humans continue to grow, learn, and expand into greater states of collective valuing and acceptance - a place where ALL can truly thrive.  For me, this isn't just a method...its a mission.

B-Brain is my descriptive, non-pathologizing, non-diagnostic, non-medical term for the type of neurology often found within individuals who follow more linear ways of thinking and learning and whose experiences tend to fall within the center of the bell-curve.  

For example, a B-Brainer will often start a project at the beginning, and in a step-by-step linear fashion, make their way to the end of project.  They may invest or not invest in doing high quality work - but that determination is based solely on their personal choice to do so.  Generally speaking, standard forms of instruction generally work for a B-Brainer.

B-Brainers also tend to have an easier time with the regulation of all things.  Not because they possess more character or intentional application of discipline or skill, but because their neural network removes some of the volume and/or intensity of some things.  In other words, the neural network does certain kinds of regulating for them pre-effort.  As a result, when the milk starts to turn just a little in the fridge - it is still drinkable because they can't taste the difference; if the temperature in the room changes less than a couple of degrees - they can still accomplish their task; or the sound of the ticking clock buries within the rest of the noises in the room and so they can keep focusing on the report they are writing or the instruction they are receiving.  

When B-Brian processes are operating or dominating, most things feel like less of a big deal when they happen - because on a consciously experienced level for them, it is.  A-Brainers get more raw data to sort and manage.  It requires active effort to manage.  As a result, B-Brainers are often better able to focus when needed, be more at ease in most environments, and feel more comfortable in their bodies.  However, they also will not be able to be aware of the data their network took care of automatically - unless it gets more intense or extreme.

As such, B-Brained or B-Brain dominant individuals tend to fit into society better and with greater ease.  They tend to not draw attention and they tend to be able to conform to current rules without any significant difficulty (even if they do not like them.)  Additionally, having a B-Brain dominance does not mean that B-Brainers are incapable of excellence, or of high levels of creativity, or of having a purpose-driven nature.  Both can co-exist.  And BOTH can be honored.  The difference here is that in the rest of society, B-Brain typologies dominate and dictate the methods and manner of doing and assessing the worth of, well, everything.  Here at Coach Romo, we KNOW the value that comes in the stuff outside of the bell-curve of what is available in the more typical experience.   And HERE, we prioritize that stuff.  Because it matters!