TONY BRENNAN
Hi, I'm Tony Brennan
Here are few things about me...
My journey has been an extraordinary one, filled with ups and downs that have shaped me into who I am today. As I reflect on my experiences, I am humbled by the opportunities and challenges that have come my way. As I reflect on my life, I can probably attribute many of the obstacles I faced to the more obvious traits associated with ADHD, which have influenced my path in unexpected ways. However, I am also deeply grateful for the strengths and unique perspectives that have emerged from these experiences.
From a young age, I encountered skepticism and doubt, often due to struggles with concentration and commitment. These challenges, which are commonly associated with ADHD, served as catalysts for my determination to prove my teachers wrong. In the face of these challenges, I gradually discovered my unique strengths and abilities, finding innovative approaches to overcome obstacles. If you want to see some comments from my report cards Click here.
In my post-school years, my restless spirit led me to embark on daring adventures and feats of resilience. The impulsivity that can come with ADHD fueled my desire to challenge myself and push beyond my limits.
Scaling the heights of the Himalayas, facing treacherous conditions and near-death experiences where I almost died alone, in a blizzard on the side of a mountain, allowed me to tap into my inner resilience and perseverance.
Similarly, working as a severe trauma medic in an elite parachute surgical team, jumping from planes at 1,000 ft to save lives within the 'golden hour' and venturing into the heart of Australia, capturing and traversing the vast wilderness alongside wild camels reflected my thirst for new experiences and my willingness to embrace the unknown.
I am not sure if trying to get someone to shoot me in the chest to test a new bullet proof vest and trying to find someone to jump out of a plane after me while I was not wearing a parachute were, in hindsight, also signs of ADHD but needless to say, I struggled to find support for either of those initiatives.
Transitioning into the next stage of my life following a parachuting accident (not related to the previous idea), I confronted a lack of transferable skills. With few options, I embraced a range of diverse jobs, including cleaning at a public school and selling home security systems door to door.
However, despite these setbacks (including not actually finishing my final year of school), my ADHD traits, such as hyperfocus and a renewed thirst for knowledge led me to complete a law degree at a leading Australian university and then work as a lawyer with a top tier Australian law firm, specialising in corporate advisory, banking, and finance.
My ADHD superpower of hyperfocus is probably what allowed me to complete as many as 7 units of study in one semester (on one day alone, I had an exam in the morning, another exam at lunchtime and a third exam in the evening) and memorise word for word 12 pages of a pre-written answer to an exam question that were given in advance.
Throughout my career, I have held various academic and corporate roles, often defying expectations and leveraging my ADHD-driven traits to my advantage. Rapid advancements, such as being appointed to more than 17 boards and becoming an Adjunct Professor of Law shortly after graduating, showcase my ability to think outside the box and bring unique perspectives to the table.
As an educator, I have found joy in empowering aspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds, drawing on my own experiences to shape their minds. My ADHD-related strengths, such as creativity, adaptability, and thinking on my feet, have allowed me to connect with students on a deeper level and offer unconventional insights regardless of whether they were first year law students or experienced executives on Australia's #1 Executive MBA program.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ADHD traits like risk-taking and hyperfocus, I embarked on another journey, defying expectations and seeking out opportunities for innovation and progress. From founding a small mining company with $100,000, doing a deal in Brazil and then selling it for millions 15 months later through to moving to the middle east and revitalising a struggling company in Afghanistan, I typically defied expectations.
After seeing first hand the impact of education on individuals and communities in low to middle income countries, I returned to Australia and started a new company where I forged global partnerships, revolutionising health education, and creating innovative learning opportunities. I advised publishing giants on digital transformation, while co-founding and championing innovation and progress as a director and Chairman of Australia's education technology and innovation industry peak body.
I am fortunate in that I have had the opportunity to extend my impact globally, collaborating with healthcare providers in South Africa and Singapore to develop workforce capability frameworks. I championed the skills development and mobility of health workers, building relationships with governments in Asia and Africa. As a tireless advocate for progress, I also contributed to a rewriting of global economic theory on how to take countries out of poverty and initiated community education programs for post-conflict resolution in Africa.
Recognising the importance of social impact, I worked hard to design and implement programs that uplifted communities. Through practical skills-based career pathway initiatives, I have taken more than 630 unemployed and uneducated women out of poverty in Uganda. I have developed programs to repurpose shipping containers as health education centers, nurturing both health and education in underserved areas.
Undeterred by boundaries, I spearheaded projects across the globe. From vocational skills training in Haiti to establishing world-class medical training facilities in Rwanda, my personal commitment to doing what I can to improve the lives of others and make a difference is at the heart of who I am and what I do.
Throughout my journey, I have collaborated with organisations and individuals who share a common vision for positive change. Together, we have tackled complex challenges and worked towards innovative solutions. It is through these partnerships that I have witnessed the power of collective action and the immense impact it can have.
In all that I have done, I am mindful of the larger purpose and the need to uplift others. From global initiatives to local community projects, my aim has always been to make a difference in the lives of those around me. I am humbled by the opportunities I have had and remain committed to using my experiences and expertise to empower individuals and promote understanding of neurodiversity.
As I continue on my journey, I am reminded of the importance of humility and gratitude. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the growth experienced, and the remarkable individuals I have had the privilege of working with. It is with a humble heart that I strive to inspire and empower others, fostering a culture of embracing neurodiversity for personal and professional success.