Owning Your Gift: How Authenticity Elevates You and Everyone Around You

In this powerful and heart-centered episode of the Own Your Awkward Podcast, Andy Vargo sits down with Byron and Mariah Edgington, founders of Mandate to Elevate LLC, to explore what it truly means to uplift others by owning who you are, even when it feels uncomfortable or awkward. From discovering neurodivergence later in life to learning how mindset, gratitude, and self-worth can transform everything, this conversation is equal parts inspiring, practical, and deeply human. If you have ever felt “different,” misunderstood, or unsure how your uniqueness fits into the world, this episode will remind you that your differences may actually be your greatest gift.

What Does “Mandate to Elevate” Really Mean?

Byron and Mariah didn’t choose their company name lightly. Mandate to Elevate is not just a catchy phrase, it is the heartbeat of their mission.

Both Byron and Mariah come from careers where they quite literally elevated people. Byron was a pilot, physically lifting passengers into the air, while Mariah worked as a nurse, supporting people through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Today, their work has shifted from physical elevation to emotional and mental elevation.

Their goal is simple but profound: to help people recognize their value, believe they are more than enough, and walk through life with confidence rooted in self-worth rather than performance or perfection.

In a world that constantly tells us we need to be more, do more, or fix ourselves, Mandate to Elevate stands as a refreshing counter-message: you already matter, right now, as you are.

Discovering Neurodivergence and Owning Your Awkward

One of the most moving parts of this conversation comes when Mariah shares her journey of discovering her neurodivergence as an adult. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD later in life, Mariah describes the emotional weight that lifted when she finally had language for why she had always felt “different.”

For years, she believed she was broken, too much, or simply not trying hard enough to fit in. That is the heavy cost of not understanding how your brain works.

She also introduces the concept of “neuromasking,” which is when neurodivergent individuals hide their true selves in order to appear more socially acceptable or “normal.” Byron vulnerably shares his own awakening as a neurotypical partner, realizing that he had unknowingly encouraged Mariah to mask instead of embracing her authentic self.

This part of the conversation beautifully mirrors the core message of Own Your Awkward: when we stop hiding, apologizing, or shrinking ourselves, we finally give ourselves permission to exist fully.

When Intuition Saves Lives

Mariah’s story from her nursing career is one of those moments that makes you stop and say, “This is why representation and awareness matter.”

She recalls a time when her intuition told her something was off with a patient, even though nothing obvious showed up in charts or data. Because she trusted that inner signal, she pushed for further evaluation, and it ultimately saved that patient’s life.

This moment powerfully reframes neurodivergence not as a limitation but as a unique lens through which the world is perceived. Where others might miss subtle cues, Mariah saw patterns, energy shifts, and details that made all the difference.

It is a reminder that different ways of thinking are not liabilities, they are assets, especially when allowed to exist and be respected.

Differences Are Not Deficits

One of the most resonant lines from the episode is when Byron and Mariah say, “These differences are not deficits.”

In both personal and professional settings, we are often taught to “fix” what stands out instead of exploring how it might serve us. The Edgingtons flip that script entirely.

They challenge us to look at our quirks, sensitivities, hyper-focus, creativity, or unconventional communication styles not as things to suppress but as tools that may thrive in the right environment.

This message is particularly powerful for teams and organizations. When leaders learn to see neurodivergent traits as strengths rather than problems, they unlock innovation, empathy, and performance in ways traditional models never could.

The Power of Mindset and Gratitude

Mariah’s transformation did not stop with self-awareness, it accelerated through mindset and gratitude.

She shares how consciously shifting her internal dialogue changed her external world. Instead of replaying past mistakes or awkward moments with shame, she began practicing gratitude for them, seeing them as teachers rather than evidence of failure.

This shift is not about toxic positivity or pretending life is perfect. It is about choosing thoughts that empower rather than imprison you.

As Mariah beautifully puts it, every thought she has controls her reality. When she changed her thoughts, her confidence, relationships, and direction in life changed with them.

This is where the Edgingtons’ work becomes deeply practical, not just inspirational.

Tools, Resources, and the “I Am” Exercise

Byron and Mariah are not just storytellers, they are tool-givers.

They offer a free “I Am” affirmation exercise on their website in 21 languages, helping people around the world begin rewiring how they speak to themselves. They also share resources like their books and the Path to Confidence course, which includes intentional “wins” to help people build confidence through action, not just theory.

Their work extends into healthcare, schools, corporate environments, and community spaces, all with the same heart: help people elevate themselves and others through self-worth, awareness, and authenticity.

Owning Your Gift Gives Others Permission

As the conversation wraps, Byron and Mariah leave listeners with a message that feels tailor-made for Own Your Awkward.

Leaning into your special gift, even when it feels uncomfortable or awkward, is not selfish, it is generous. When you show up as your real self, you create a ripple effect that allows others to do the same.

This is not about being loud, perfect, or fearless. It is about being honest, human, and willing to be seen.

And that, truly, is how we elevate the world.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a reminder that your story, your brain, your experiences, and yes, even your awkwardness, are not obstacles to overcome but bridges to connection, purpose, and impact.

If you have ever wondered whether you belong, the answer from Byron and Mariah is clear: you already do.