Brave Reflections: A celebration of superpowers

Jun 05, 2025 7:59 am

Hello , my fellow brave human

We're back from the Chelsea Flower Show, and what an experience it was. Having had a week to recover, it's been a brilliant chance to reflect.

We won the People's Choice Award and Silver Gilt. Yay! Both because the garden was stunning as the designers put meticulous thought and love into every detail, but also because we could tell the story and make it accessible in every way. 150,000 people streamed through over the week and we talked to a good percentage of them.

Some of the team in ‘the hug’.

In telling the story and showing how the garden embodied the superpowers and brilliance of people with Down’s syndrome we connected, we explained, we inspired.

The Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden

The bright and colourful flowers represent the magic, the joy, the serenity. The ‘hug’ represents the compassion and empathy presented, the secret tile and cauldron that spurts out water when you least expect represents the fun and mischief. And the pond represents the barriers faced, until you realise anyone can walk on water - with the right support. There are many more aspects that represent the strength, the resilience. All of it celebrates as well as tells the story of an under-represented group of people with so much potential that is so often ignored.

Finlay about to ‘walk on water’

I can’t carry on without mentioning the brilliance of working with this team - from Eddie the CEO, to the designers, Liam, Finlay, Edward, the Choir 21, and the rest of us who over the week told the story (I didn’t do the whole week, hats off to those who did).

The Magic of Authentic Narrative

What struck me most was the power of narrating these super powers. We weren't just showing a garden – every conversation became an opportunity to inspire.

This got me thinking about you.

You've navigated challenges, made difficult decisions, and developed skills that others admire. But somewhere along the way, perhaps the narrative of your superpowers have become buried under the weight of daily responsibilities and the relentless pace of life. It’s lost its shine.

Or perhaps others perceive your narrative differently than you, and you've lost sight of how to articulate what makes you genuinely brilliant. (Because you are).

Rediscovering Your Superpowers

When did you last step back and really look at what you've achieved? When did you last articulate – without the modest deflection – what you're genuinely exceptional at?

Your superpowers are the thread that weave together your values, your purpose, and those skills that come so naturally to you that you'd almost be embarrassed to charge for them. And how you articulate it is what makes people lean in when you speak, what makes people think "yes, this person gets it," what makes community members recognise a kindred spirit.

Your Invitation

So here's my challenge to you this week:

What are the skills and abilities you've been taking for granted?

What's the authentic story of your capabilities that needs to be told – not just to others, but to yourself?

Your superpowers – because you absolutely do have them - are waiting to be owned and articulated.

The world needs people who can honestly communicate what they bring, who can connect with others through real narratives of their superpowers rather than polished presentations.

If you're feeling like your narrative has got a bit lost, like you can't quite put your finger on your unique value anymore, or like the fire in your belly has dimmed a bit, then perhaps it's time to rediscover it. Sometimes we need a safe space to remember what we're genuinely good at and find the words to tell that story authentically.

That's what The Brave Collective is for – to help you rediscover your superpowers, reignite that fire, and find your community who truly get what you're about.

Either through 1:1 sessions or with other fellow brave humans, get in touch. I have some resources to walk you through the process.

So , which superpowers are you ready to own?

PS - there is a plant sale for some of the beautiful garden plants on 21st June (it was ‘over-planted’ for the show - and it will raise much needed funds to support more people with Down’s syndrome and their families) at its new home at Watch US Grow in Palacerigg Country Park. Hit reply if you want to find out more.

Dates for your diary

Breathe: Walk & Talk Carrifran ‘Wildwood’, 14th June

Come and join us at the original wildwood, the bare glen that had its first taste of ‘rewilding’ 25 years ago. Led by Donald McPhillimy (listen to our podcast interview here) - who was part of the first tree planting team in 2000.