#1 ?? Coming Out as a Nerd: Joining American Mensa ??

I spent most of my younger university years at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK, Finland) hanging out (virtually) with the underground white-hat hacker community. Our weekends were filled with wargame rankings—cybersecurity challenges and mind sport competitions. Back then, "Mensa" was something we all talked about as a cool community of brilliant minds pushing the boundaries of multiple intelligences and intellectual curiosity.

At 16, I took a Mensa UK mock test out of curiosity and passed, only to discover I wasn’t old enough to officially join. A few years later, as I juggled work and university studies, the thought of taking the official Mensa test crossed my mind. However, the idea of spending a few hundred euros on the test and membership fees didn’t seem justifiable at the time. Being financially independent since I was 17 and working multiple part-time labor-intensive jobs, I had to prioritize essentials—those fees equaled a month’s worth of groceries for me. Besides, I was so socially introverted back then that I doubted I’d do much with the membership anyway.

Life moved quickly, and other interests came along. Later, when I returned to Vietnam and focused on building my career, I occasionally thought about taking the test again. But the idea was always brushed aside. With Mensa unavailable in Vietnam, planning the travel alone felt daunting amidst my work schedule. Yet, the biggest reason I avoided it was fear. What if I didn’t qualify anymore? What if my years away from those wargame days had dulled my abilities? My ego brushed the thought aside.

Fast forward to this year, I finally decided to take the test while in the US. I went in naturally, without preparation—not seeking validation but seeking closure for this unfinished plan. And today, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially joined American Mensa, the largest national group of the world’s oldest high-IQ society.

But let me be clear: I’m not sharing this as an achievement or accolade. My work with the FRENZ Brainband, the award-winning wearable for unlocking human cognitive potential, reignited my curiosity about human potential, multiple intelligences, and consciousness. It reminded me of my aspirational self— open, creative, foolish, and eager to explore, learn, and share without prejudice.

When I was younger, I thought of Mensa as a badge of honor, a symbol of brilliance. Now, as I share this, I don’t feel proud—I feel freedom. This is my personal testament, a statement to myself, to my daughter and the world that I can finally take the steps to embrace originality, celebrate diversity, and cherish the passion for exploring, learning, and sharing.

As I step into this new chapter of life, exploring and writing more about my true interests, this story feels like the right starting point. It’s a reminder of how a few hundred euros or life’s conveniences could have stopped a girl from pursuing a "what if."

How about you? What fears or excuses might be holding you back from self-discovery and seeking your truth?

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Additional Sharing for Today:

This article inspired me to come out as "Mensa material" and share about this journey. In our Asian culture, I was raised to be a “nice girl,” to not stand out too much or be the Hermione of the class. I was taught to hide my answers until asked, to blend in rather than shine. For years, I’ve taken the longer road, working harder than most, asking deeper questions, and exploring different industries. While some might see this as jumping jobs or doing too much at once, I see it as an exploration of my multipotentiality.

?? Frustration About Sums It Up: Navigating Giftedness in the Workplace

Summary of the article: Dr. Nicole C. Scott explores why gifted individuals often fall short of career expectations. Her findings include:

• Multipotentiality: Gifted individuals have a natural drive to explore diverse abilities passionately.
• Social Dynamics: Their intense passion can create disconnects with non-gifted peers, leading to a lack of acceptance.
• Value Misalignment: Workplaces often value social skills over intellectual pursuits, disadvantaging gifted individuals in promotions and pay.

Dr. Scott emphasizes the importance of supportive environments for gifted employees to thrive. When these needs are met, both employees and organizations benefit.

#Mensa #HumanPotential #LifelongLearning #Curiosity #Intelligence #Neuroscience