Morgan Hale

Biography

Hello, I’m Morgan! I grew up in the Spokane Valley but, for the past twenty years or so, have divided my time between western Washington and southern Alaska. Currently living in Kingston with my wife, our wonderful son, and our super affectionate dog, Ronin. I was 38 when I was finally diagnosed with ADHD and, honestly? My life suddenly made so much sense! It really reframed my history with friends, family, jobs, and school and I suddenly had a context for my behavior that had always eluded me before.

I know, firsthand, what it’s like to be a college dropout, but I also know the experience of going back as an older, “non-traditional” student. I’ve earned my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Washington and my Master of Education with a focus on Adult Education from Eastern Washington University. I’ve worked every job you can imagine, from calling Bingo to voice acting to farming potatoes in Alaska. More recently, I spent eight years working as an Academic Advisor for the Anthropology Department at UW.

I’m so happy to be part of Life Skills Advocate and I really look forward to using my skills and experience to help those that need it.

What are some of your special interests?

I’ve always loved both reading and writing and have a special fondness for sci-fi and fantasy. I’m also a huge comic book nerd and, more recently, have been heavily getting into manga and will check out almost everything I can find from the library. My love of science fiction and fantasy also extends to movies and tv. Star Trek, Star Wars, Firefly/Serenity, Lord of the Rings … even older shows like Sliders hold a dear place in my heart.

I’m a big time gamer, having started with an Atari 2600 and continued up to the modern generations. I love open world games especially (I can talk Legend of Zelda and Skyrim all day), but you can also catch me playing a lot of Fortnite, Mario Party, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Balatro. I also play a lot of board games with my family (we have several bookcases worth), card games (everything from Rummy and Phase 10 to Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering), and tabletop roleplaying games (like Dungeons & Dragons or Mutants & Masterminds).

Also, things like crafting and cooking! I mostly do things like crochet and woodworking. I love to work with my hands and it’s nice to have a tangible creation when you’re finished (and who doesn’t love tasty treats?) Honestly, my interests are many and varied and I’d love to talk about what interests you!

What does executive functioning mean to you?

Executive functioning is one of those things that you don’t notice when it’s working well, but it’s painfully obvious when it’s malfunctioning. Smoothly operating executive function means I can look at a series of tasks, make a decision on which task to do first, and then, simply, do it. Difficulties with executive function, however, can be like an invisible wall keeping you from your tasks. It’s an incredibly frustrating situation to be in. You know what the task is, you know how to do the task, you have the technical means to do the task, you often want to do the task – and yet, for reasons you cannot explain, you cannot bring yourself to accomplish the task. Learning to wrangle your executive function when it’s not working for you takes time, but it can be done!

What is a strategy you use with clients and use personally?

I usually start by talking things out and trying to break the problem into smaller, more manageable parts, so it feels less overwhelming. From there, it’s often an issue of re-examining the notions we’ve taken for granted. All of us grew up being given an idea of how we’re “supposed” to function in life, but neurodivergent people often find these methods don’t work as well for them. Examining the ways we’re “supposed” to do things can often lead to novel solutions on how things work for us, as individuals. There is no catch-all solution that will work for everybody.

It’s also important to remember that being neurodivergent isn’t bad. It’s not a failing. You are not broken. You just need to use a different set of tools than the ones we’ve all been given in order to reach your goals.

How has your personal experience and professional development impacted your coaching?

The melded background of my personal and professional life have combined to strengthen my empathy and understanding for others. I have firsthand knowledge of the successes and failures that life can deal to you and the ways that neurodivergence can impact these experiences. I go into every coaching session with compassion and an intention to understand where my clients are coming from. So much of my life and work experience have centered around education, so that’s where I’m most knowledgeable. That being said, I’m always learning and growing and will bring all the elements of my life in to help be the best coach I can possibly be.

How would you describe your personal approach to coaching?

I’ve been described as a “soft touch”. I find that trying to forcing your way through a wall is often less conducive to success than gently trying to go around it. Every individual is unique, with their own personal goals and difficulties. I work to understand each unique situation to find the best solution for the individual.

Which of LSA's core values resonates the most with you, and how do you incorporate it with your clients?

Bravery in Advocacy! Very often, neurodivergent people are encourage to hide their differences in order to better fit in or not be judged. I take a different approach. I am very open about my neurodivergence, as well as the challenges and success that stem from it. I do this so those who have little experience with neurodivergence or who negatively judge neurodivergent people can have an opportunity to see what we can really do, and so neurodivergent people may find comfort in seeing someone like them succeed. I pride myself on being a fierce advocate, for myself and for others.

Do you have an area of coaching you specialize in?

I specialize in education, academic guidance and support, career/life transitions, functioning with chronic illness, and addressing the shame and self-recrimination that may come with diagnosis. I also work with alternative methods of completing household tasks, career exploration, and general executive functioning skills.