“I’m not ‘abnormal’! There’s something I can put a name to. There was a sense of relief.”
Lexi struggled to ‘read’ faces.
She walked on her toes. She craved routine. She didn’t like her food to touch on a plate, and she was sensitive to light and sound.
But, until she was 27, she didn’t know she was autistic.
Lexi only took a test when - as a paramedic, grappling with erratic shifts and sleep disturbance - she sought help with anxiety and depression.
In this candid conversation with Olly, she considers the ‘trigger points’ for her struggles, explains her support system, and reveals how adjustments have seen her progress in her career and romantic relationships.
CONTENT WARNING: self-harm.
Find out more about autism from the National Autistic Society.
This episode is sponsored by Readly, who are offering Mann-fans an exclusive, three month trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines. Get yours at readly.com/mann
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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the intersection of eSports and motor racing.
Can platforms like iRacing truly replicate the physics, design, and engineering of real-world cars? Why don’t they use VR headsets? And how come more people don’t know about Max Verstappen’s gaming side-hustle?
With the help of Paul Crawford, Head of eSports at Motorsport UK, and sim-racer Jonny Elliot, Ollie discovers how (relatively) affordable home simulators might produce the next Will Byron…
The Zeitgeist is sponsored by our friends at BBC Maestro. Use the code MANN to get your 40% off your favourite video course or 40% off a subscription at https://bbcmaestro.com. Let the greatest be your teacher!
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Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox fresh from visiting Dennis Severs’ house in Shoreditch - tackles a bearded listener’s question of grooming… how can he minimise friction and tickles whilst going down on his wife?
With the help of ‘Celebs Go Dating’ sexpert Dr Tara, Alix considers the options - from flavoured lubes to beard oils - and explains why a German toy, Belou, might provide a viable alternative…
If you have a question of sex you’d like Alix to answer, fill in the Feedback form. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
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Finally, for our record of the month comes from the Isle of Wight’s Lauran Hibberd, whose single ‘2nd Prettiest Girl (In The World)’ is out now 👇
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… And we’ll see you again on April 10th.
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This episode includes paid advertisements for Who Gives A Crap? and BetterHelp.
• Get 20% off toilet paper that does a world of good at https://uk.whogivesacrap.org/ when you use the code ‘MANN’.
• Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mann and get on your way to being your best self.
