How A Dyslexic Wrote 20 Books! With Matt Bird

Do you ever feel like there’s one missing piece that explains so much about who you are? That’s exactly what happened to Matt Bird, an entrepreneur and book-writing expert who discovered late in life that he was dyslexic. His story is a mix of challenges, realisations, and victories that ultimately led him to help others share their unique voices in the form of a book.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Matt about the experience of going undiagnosed in school, what drives him as a business owner, and a few of his secrets to writing a book that resonates. If you’ve been itching to put pen to paper, your timing’s perfect.

Discovering Dyslexia Later in Life

Matt was well into his adulthood before he found out he was dyslexic. He’d always known something was different—things took him longer, and traditional schooling often felt like a maze without a map. But it wasn’t until that final diagnosis that everything clicked into place.

“For years, I just thought I was slow. The day I realised I had dyslexia, it felt like a lightbulb moment that gave me permission to try a different approach.” — Matt Bird

That single piece of paper confirming dyslexia offered Matt a fresh start. It let him develop tools for success and gave him the confidence to share his story more openly. In our conversation, he admits it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but with the right perspective, even dyslexic traits that once felt limiting became assets.

School Days Without a Diagnosis

Imagine slogging through school, not knowing why reading tasks or certain instructions felt so complicated. Matt shared some memories of feeling behind in class and questioning why everyone else seemed to catch on faster. He didn’t have a label for what was going on, so he just assumed he wasn’t trying hard enough or lacked some magic trait others seemed to have.

Like many of us, Matt found ways to adapt, sometimes relying on creativity or quick thinking to keep up. He’d illuminate how teachers were only seeing the tip of the iceberg; they didn’t see the mental acrobatics he was doing to complete even simple tasks. In the end, it shaped how he approached learning and helped him develop a strong sense of determination.

Entrepreneurship and the Power of Story

Matt’s path led him into entrepreneurship. He discovered he had a knack for creating opportunities, brainstorming solutions, and taking risks. Running a business gave him a chance to structure his work in a way that made the most of his strengths. He could focus on big-picture thinking and hand off tasks that slowed him down.

Over time, Matt gravitated toward the world of book writing because he wanted to help people transform their ideas into tangible products. He saw that so many folks shy away from writing because they assume it’s too complex or out of reach; he realised that was the wrong story people were telling themselves.

As he refined his process, he developed tools, tips, and courses that made the seemingly complicated task of writing a book feel achievable. He’s proof that anyone with a spark of inspiration can learn the ropes, even if they’ve struggled with literacy in the past.

Top Tips for Aspiring Authors

If the prospect of writing a book captures your imagination, Matt suggests a few practical steps to boost success:

Clarify Your Idea: Write down (or speak out) what you want to say. Pinpoint the main concept you’ll explore, so you have a strong guiding theme.
Plan Small Wins: Break down the writing into digestible pieces. Start with a short outline or table of contents to create momentum.
Manage Mindset: Celebrate progress, even if it’s just a single paragraph. Stay curious and kind to yourself.
Seek Feedback: Share rough drafts with a trusted friend or writing community. Constructive input will elevate your message.
Use the Right Tools: If dyslexia makes spelling tough, experiment with dictation software or grammar checkers.

Alongside this, Matt’s “My Book Idea” Workbook is a free resource for sparking that first idea. It’s a straightforward guide to help you outline your concept. You’ll find it especially handy if you’ve always dreamt of writing but never had the right structure.

Why Dyslexia Can Be a Superpower in Writing

I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight just how much dyslexia can be a catalyst for creativity. Many of us think upside down, or we come at a problem from an angle that others simply miss. That’s often where the magic happens. Who else can take a seemingly dull topic and add a new twist that keeps readers on their toes?

Matt believes dyslexia helps us see the big picture. We spot patterns and can find connections between ideas that might seem unrelated at first glance. If you embrace this viewpoint, you might find that your writing flows in a more original direction. It’s all about awareness and self-belief.

And if you’re still juggling a dozen questions, that’s normal. You don’t need all the answers before you start. Just begin somewhere, whether it’s with a freehand brainstorm or a casual summary of your life experience. Let that momentum carry you into deeper territory as you gain confidence.

Realising you have dyslexia can shift your perspective in more ways than you’d expect.
School can be confusing without a proper diagnosis, but creativity often fills the gaps.
Entrepreneurship thrives on unique viewpoints—dyslexic thinking can be a real advantage.
Embrace straightforward tools for writing: outlines, dictation, and reliable feedback loops.
Dyslexia isn’t a roadblock; it can be a superpower once you learn to harness it.

If you want to dive deeper into Matt’s story and secrets, the podcast player is just above. Press play to hear his personal anecdotes, the highs and lows of his journey, and tips you can put into action right away. Trust me, this one’s a gem for anyone who’s been itching to start their book-writing adventure.