What happens when you receive a life-changing diagnosis at 16—and decide to turn it into your superpower? In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly driven and insightful Sree Lakkamraju. She’s a high school senior, NJCTS Youth Council member, TAA Youth Ambassador, and soon-to-be NYU student. But beyond the titles, Sree is someone who’s turned self-awareness and advocacy into action, and her journey is nothing short of inspiring.

We dive into her late diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, how she navigated disclosures at school and with friends, and the powerful moment when she realized this wasn’t something to hide—it was something to own. From her experiences fencing, speaking publicly, and interning at Mass General Hospital, Sree has found a voice that’s helping educate, empower, and encourage others.

Episode Highlights:

[3:45] Biking, blinking, and awkward questions: how she explained her tics pre-diagnosis.
[6:33] The moment of clarity: getting the official diagnosis and what it meant to her.
[8:24] Disclosure struggles and the classroom experience that left a lasting mark.
[10:03] Discovering NJCTS and TAA—and realizing advocacy could be a superpower.
[12:19] How Tourette’s helped shape her confidence and public speaking skills.
[14:15] The speech that changed everything and what it means to find your message.
[16:52] Life outside of advocacy: fencing, leadership roles, and staying active.
[19:55] Why fencing became complicated—and how she plans to get back to it in college.
[21:14] Cold emails and big dreams: interning at Mass General Hospital.
[24:54] Insights from OCD/Tourette research and learning the ropes of a real lab.
[25:49] Looking ahead to NYU and life in NYC as a new chapter begins.
[28:26] Disclosure done right: different reactions from two very different school settings.
[31:33] Humor, boundaries, and knowing when to step into advocate mode.
[34:19] What it was like meeting 60+ other youth with TS at a TAA conference.
[37:19] Sree’s advice for those newly diagnosed—and for those supporting someone with TS.
[40:10] A final word on empathy, advocacy, and the value of finding your fire.

Links & Resources:

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

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In this episode, I sit down with dancer, choreographer, and advocate Marissa Lazovick for a heart-centered conversation that moves through performance, diagnosis, and the power of self-expression. Marissa shares how her journey with Tourette Syndrome has intersected with her passion for dance, leading to the creation of her powerful solo piece, "(Tic)kled." We talk about what it really means to advocate for yourself, to be understood, and to turn something challenging into something beautifully human.

Marissa opens up about everything from being diagnosed in middle school to coping with tics in college life, and how dancing—not just physically, but emotionally—has helped her find a rhythm in the chaos. Her perspective on inclusivity, mental health, and self-acceptance is honest, wise, and inspiring.

Marissa is a New Jersey native, now a first year at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, majoring in Dance. A dancer since age 5, Marissa recently choreographed and danced to a piece about her Tourette experience, titled, "(Tic)kled. She is also an American Sign Language (ASL) instructor.

Episode Highlights:

[1:33] Meet Marissa — a New Jersey native, dancer, and ASL instructor with a powerful story.
[2:46] The inspiration and emotional arc behind her dance piece, "(Tic)kled".
[5:20] Performing across the country and sparking conversations about TS through art.
[7:40] Getting diagnosed and the emotional release that came with finally having a name.
[10:17] How school accommodations and support systems made a real difference.
[12:51] Coping with an uptick in tics during college — what’s helping, and what isn’t.
[16:59] Why painting, movement, and solo dorm living are part of Marissa’s self-care.
[19:09] From competition dance to choreography—how performance has evolved for her.
[22:17] Teaching dance as a form of emotional storytelling and empowerment.
[24:56] Finding community through NJCTS and connecting with others who "get it".
[27:20] Marissa’s definition of inclusivity—and how it shows up in her life and work.
[30:07] Her lifelong connection to volunteering, including ASL education for young kids.
[35:38] Advice for others with TS: take it slow, speak up, and know you’re more than a label.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about NJ Walks for TS on May 17: https://p2p.onecause.com/njctswalk
• Marissa's Instagram: @marissalaz
• Marissa's piece, (Tic)kled: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHhePHctTJd

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

Send us a text

Support the show

In this episode, I sit down with someone I’ve known and admired for years—Emily Fleischman. Emily is a nurse at Mount Sinai West in New York City and a longtime advocate within the Tourette Syndrome community. From her early days as a Youth Ambassador with NJCTS to publishing a children’s book about her experience with TS, Emily’s story is one of courage, transformation, and advocacy.

We dive into what it was like being diagnosed with Tourette and OCD as a child, how that affected her family dynamics, and the coping strategies she picked up along the way. Emily opens up about everything from therapy and medical massages to what helped—and didn’t help—her manage her tics over the years. We have a conversation packed with insights for parents, professionals, and anyone walking the TS journey.

Emily Fleischman, RN is a New Jersey native and NYC based nurse. Having grown up with TS and OCD, she brings personal and professional insights to our discussion, which centered around her story, including her diagnosis, family, tic management, and tips/advice for those with TS.

Episode Highlights:

[0:34] Getting to know Emily and her connection to NJCTS.
[1:54] Emily’s early diagnosis and the challenges that followed.
[4:00] Family dynamics and what it was like for her brother.
[7:05] Struggling in school, holding in tics, and reaching a breaking point.
[9:50] Becoming a Youth Ambassador and finding her voice through advocacy.
[11:39] Writing a children’s book about Tourette to reach younger audiences.
[13:50] Nursing career journey and the role empathy plays in her work.
[15:15] Educating hospital staff about Tourette from the inside out.
[16:01] Why nursing was the perfect fit—and how it supports her lifestyle.
[18:26] CBT, reward systems, and tools that helped as a kid.
[21:15] How adulthood has changed her relationship with tics and OCD.
[22:13] Emily breaks down ABA therapy and how it connects to her own experience.
[25:54] Practical parenting tips: more time in the morning, identifying triggers.
[26:40] Communication tips for loved ones when it comes to pointing out tics.
[28:06] Why meditation and yoga didn’t help—but massages did.
[29:34] Talking openly with kids about their diagnosis.
[31:27] Emily’s advice for those newly diagnosed with TS.

Links & Resources:

Emily’s children’s book: Emily’s Tic – Available on Amazon

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

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