Welcome to another episode of Beautiful Mess where we explore how to navigate life's challenges and find meaning through adversity. Today's guest Botagoz Shantemirova shares her inspiring journey of personal growth after facing difficult life events.

Botagoz shares how parenting her neurodivergent son opened her eyes in life-changing ways. Tune in to hear her journey of self-discovery sparked by navigating her child's unique needs, and how it lit a fire for advocacy. Don’t miss these powerful insights on diversity, flexibility, and finding purpose through facing challenges alongside loved ones.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

• Botagoz' diverse background and career path from banking to sustainability
• How parenting a neurodivergent child sparked advocacy and inclusion work
• A turning point during meditation that gave strength to create joy

Episode Highlights:

[07:11] Finding Purpose Through Family History

Botagoz reflects on how listening to her father's stories as a child shaped her outlook. Her family endured much turbulence over generations due to where they lived and the historic period. Though she didn't consciously consider it before, Botagoz believes unconsciously absorbing her family's resilience through storytelling is what fostered her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for enacting change.

Hearing of their hardships and comebacks imbued her with drive to make the world better, as she saw how even in difficult times, her ancestors overcame challenges through determination and vision of improving their circumstances. This planted a seed that would blossom into Botagoz' diverse career helping others through sustainability work and entrepreneurship.

[15:01] A Parent's Journey to Advocacy

Botagoz shares how her son being neurodivergent presented immense challenges as a parent to understand his needs. However, it also opened her world in an unexpected way. Through navigating how his brain works differently and ensuring accommodations allowed him to thrive, she gained profound lessons about diversity.

This fueled her passion for creating a society where all children feel included, regardless of abilities or circumstances outside their control. Botagoz learned empathy and the importance of flexibility through her son's journey.

Now she is a champion for neurodiversity and helping shape environments welcoming to diverse talents. Facing life's messy periods can spark growth in unforeseen areas, as Botagoz found her purpose advocating for others through overcoming struggles alongside her child.

[19:57] Finding the Light Within

Botagoz shares one of her darkest moments, when surrounded by darkness and despair, she was on the verge of giving up. It was during a group meditation that a profound realization came to her - no one can bring her joy but herself, and it is her responsibility to consciously create moments of happiness. This pivotal insight gave Botagoz an inner strength just when she needed it most. Even in the midst of struggle, she found the power to pursue meaning and find joy was within her grasp.

This turning point reminded her that light can be discovered in even our lowest valleys, if we open our eyes to the beauty in both external and internal experiences. It was a lesson that continues to guide Botagoz in embracing life's messy periods and discovering renewed purpose each day.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Botagoz Shantemirova on LinkedIn