In this episode of The Internal Shift Show Debbie Longo speaks with Russell Van Brocklen about transforming what is often seen as a limitation into a measurable advantage.

Diagnosed with dyslexia and placed in special education early on, Russell faced years of frustration, setbacks, and academic barriers. With a first-grade reading and writing level entering adulthood, the expectation was limitation—not advancement. Instead of accepting that outcome, he made a decision to challenge it.

The turning point came when he forced himself into environments that required higher-level thinking, including auditing law school classes and engaging in complex problem-solving far beyond what his reading level suggested . Through persistence and unconventional thinking, he developed a system that allowed him to bypass traditional limitations and access higher cognitive processing.

That internal shift led to groundbreaking work. Russell went on to develop and test methods that significantly accelerated reading and writing capabilities in dyslexic students, producing results that rivaled—and in some cases exceeded—traditional systems at a fraction of the cost.

This conversation challenges the idea that learning disabilities are purely limitations. It reinforces that with the right approach, they can become a strategic advantage—driving innovation, different thinking patterns, and unique problem-solving abilities.

Contact Information:

Debbie Longo Transformational Coach:

Email: debbie@lifeinbloomny.net

Website: https://lifeinbloomny.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-longo-life-in-bloom-ny/

Russell Van Brocklen NYS Senate-Funded Dyslexia Researcher:

Email: dyslexiaclasses1@gmail.com

Website: https://www.dyslexiaclasses.com