509: Opening Up About My Journey as an Autism Mom

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Michaela, the host of Side Hustle Pro, opens up about her journey as an autism mom, sharing the emotional, logistical, and spiritual challenges of raising her son Kingston, who was diagnosed with autism. From the isolating early days of motherhood during the pandemic to navigating a complex web of evaluations, therapies, and bureaucratic hurdles, Michaela recounts how she initially didn’t recognize the weight she was carrying—until a friend’s simple observation helped her see herself. She details the difficulty of finding inclusive spaces, the communication barriers with her son, and the constant mental and emotional labor of advocating for his needs. Despite the exhaustion, she finds strength in faith, community, and the unexpected support of 'guardian angels' like her high school teacher. She reflects on how autism has reshaped her understanding of love, boundaries, and resilience, and celebrates the beauty in neurodiversity. As Autism Awareness Month unfolds, she uses her platform to normalize the conversation, offer solidarity to other moms, and affirm that while the journey is hard, it’s also transformative and full of grace.