Meet Donna Hartley

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Donna Hartley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Donna, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

I’ve faced many challenges, from a traumatic childhood and financial struggles to being a single mother to a severely mentally disabled and autistic son. On top of that, I have Fragile X syndrome, autism, and suffer from depression. Despite these hurdles, I’ve found strength in my faith, believing that there is a Creator or universal energy that wants me to succeed and be happy. My resilience is fueled by prayer, an incredible support system of friends, and a commitment to viewing every situation as a gift. My son is truly a gift from God and the love of my life. I focus on kindness, practice unconditional love, and persist because giving up is never an option. I also take practical steps to maintain my mental health, including reading uplifting books, surrounding myself with positive influences, and taking anti-depressants. My doctor wisely reminded me that just as diabetics need insulin, I need serotonin. This perspective has empowered me to accept help and continue striving for greatness, knowing that I am strong, fearless, and capable of extraordinary things.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As an AI trainer and consultant, I’m passionate about helping others discover the incredible potential of AI. AI feels like a second language to me, likely because of my autism, which gives me a unique perspective and ease with the technology. What excites me most is showing people that with AI, there’s always a solution, and achieving goals becomes more accessible. AI empowers everyone to spend less time on mundane tasks and more time on what truly matters—family, friends, and personal interests. It’s a tool that democratizes opportunities, allowing anyone, regardless of background, to level the playing field, whether it’s starting a business, creating a product, or even deciding what to cook for dinner. I’m especially hopeful that AI’s advancements in the medical field will one day lead to greater understanding and breakthroughs in conditions like Fragile X syndrome and Autism. With AI, the sky truly is the limit.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: relentless focus, resilience, and the wisdom to seek advice from experts. Because of my autism, I’m incredibly focused on my goals, to the point where I don’t even hear the naysayers—it simply doesn’t occur to me that something won’t work. This focus, combined with a strong sense of resilience, has allowed me to bounce back from failure many times; when one path doesn’t work, I simply get up and try another. Mentorship has also been crucial. My mentors have taught me social courtesies, where to learn new skills, and how to navigate challenges. I consider myself a genius, but only because I surround myself with experts and seek their guidance. My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace your focus, develop resilience, and most importantly, find mentors who can teach you what you don’t know. Success isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about knowing where to find the answers.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did was inadvertently teach me life’s toughest lessons. My mother, a teacher earning $5,000 a year, struggled to raise two young children while married to a man battling alcoholism. After divorcing him, she remarried, hoping for stability, only to find herself with an abusive, violent husband. Through these hardships, I learned to forgive, to look beyond appearances and recognize that everyone has a deeper story, and to stand up for those who can’t defend themselves. These experiences made me fearless and determined, shaping the person I am today.

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