Episode one - The Northwest and Northern Ireland
Category: Press Pack ArticleOllie, Sheffield
Occupation: Ambulance Technician
Age: 32
Ollie lives with her 5-year-old son and has been part of an ambulance crew for the past decade but is not a paramedic. Ollie has always felt that she isn’t good at anything, and while she was told she had potential at school she couldn’t deal with exams. Now that she is settled in a job she wants to start improving her low self-esteem, with her application for Secret Genius being the first step.
When Ollie was a child she used to know everybody's reg plate on estate where she lived, which was approximately 60 or 70 car reg plates known off by heart.
“I don't think I've ever excelled at anything, so to then be told, like, oh yeah, actually you are really clever or gifted or whatever, I would be shocked.”
Following her experience on Secret Genius, Ollie has been inspired to pursue an academic path she had not previously considered. She is now focused on studying for her A Levels, with the long-term ambition of applying for medical school and working towards a medical degree.
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
Boredom and lager – I’ve done this through morbid curiosity. Am I actually good at something or am I just dim-witted by good at remembering stuff? I saw the ad and felt it was time to see if I was wrong to doubt myself all these years.
What part of the experience surprised you the most?
I was surprised how frozen I was by physical puzzles rather than just scribbling and drooling on notepads at home.
Was there a moment when you doubted yourself? If so, how did you push through it?
I don't think there was a moment of the whole thing where I felt confident. It was unlike anything I've ever done before, and I was totally unprepared for the pressure.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I didn't learn much about my brain, but it has made me think more about retraining myself and committing to learning something new.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
Everyone is good at something.
Nathan, Leeds
Occupation: Civil Servant
Age: 26
Nathan grew up in Carlisle in a close-knit family; he did well at school but sometimes struggled to fit in as others thought he was ‘weird’. Nathan works in data analysis, plays five instruments and has taught himself several programming languages. His biggest takeaway from the series is finding a group of friends where he fits in and feels part of the group.
“I think a few of us have been recommended by someone else, which I don't know if there's a thing there about maybe we don't see ourselves as anything special, but someone else does. My brain is like someone sellotaped together a load of wires and then struck them with lightning. I am certainly different, whether that's good or bad. Maybe this will help me find out.”
Since filming, Nathan has taken the leap into entrepreneurship and has started his own company. He is now independently developing and selling video games, treating it initially as a side project alongside other work, with plans to grow it further.
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
I applied after my mum sent me the casting call and (I think, jokingly) suggested I apply, because she knows I think of myself as a bit clever sometimes. I thought ‘why not’ and decided to go for it. The rest is history.
What part of the experience surprised you the most?
I think for me the most surprising thing was just how well selected the other competitors were, in that we simultaneously encompassed such a large range of demographics, careers, interests, and all the rest, while at the same time all having so much we could connect about. I found it incredibly easy to get on with nearly everyone I met, which is not a normal occurrence, believe me! Credit to whoever picked us, because they did a brilliant job.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I learnt that my brain is indeed very good at logical processing, and though it’s still difficult to understand why that is, I’m comforted that I can rely on my own cognition to be able to solve difficult problems as and when I find them. At the same time, I learnt that even though my brain is probably a bit ‘weird’, it’s actually incredibly normal in that there are so many other people who also think differently, feel differently, see things differently. I’m certainly much more assured of my intelligence which allows me to be more confident in all aspects of life.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
Give it a shot, you might just be surprised. Plus, ability comes in so many forms. Just because you might not have been good at school, or got the best grades, or went to university – whatever it might be – it doesn’t mean you’re not intelligent and doesn’t mean you can’t put yourself deservedly among some very clever colleagues.
Helen, St Helen’s
Occupation: Dance teacher and school owner
Age: 49
Helen is a mum of two and has run a dance school for twenty years. She started dancing aged 3 and loved it so much that she left school at 16 to pursue her dreams. Helen would love to prove that you can be creative AND highly intelligent.
“I'd much rather fail on my own than fail and let somebody else down. I am really proud of myself um, for getting this far. I think it's a massive achievement.”
Helen has embarked on a professional certification in computer science, with the goal of developing bespoke software for use within the dance industry, where she has identified a clear gap. She may choose to extend this into a full degree in the future if circumstances allow. Helen credits the series with giving her the push she needed to take this step.
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
Curiosity about my IQ and capabilities, having not taken an academic route after leaving school.
Was there a moment when you doubted yourself? If so, how did you push through it?
I doubted myself right from the start about whether I was good enough to even be part of the programme. I pushed through by taking some of my own advice that I give to my dance students - you can only do your best and be yourself, the rest you can’t control or worry about.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I learned that I can solve complex problems quickly but I often doubt myself and assume I must’ve made a mistake, so I double-check. Realising that has helped me trust my thinking more and stop second-guessing myself. I’ve also reviewed my future career plans and am currently upskilling in IT, (programming, software development, etc) within my industry as I now believe I have the ability and passion to thrive in these areas.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
I’d say be curious, trust your gut, and explore what you might be capable of achieving — whatever that looks like for you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, and you never know where it might lead.
Justin, Liverpool
Occupation: Former Nurse
Age: 59
Justin grew up in an academic family and always felt the pressure to perform well academically. In the late 80s he became a nurse, an unusual profession for men at the time. Justin has three children, a stepdaughter and one grandchild. Despite not performing well at school Justin has a great capacity for learning and can reel off all of the US presidents and US States.
“When I was at school, I was labelled as being thick. I'm kind of thinking I'm, you know, I am reasonably clever. Fingers crossed, I can prove that I'm not as thick as the schoolteachers said.”
Justin is now a confirmed member of Mensa, achieving an IQ score of 156. Taking part in the series has had a profound impact on his self-confidence, particularly in relation to his ADHD. He has spoken openly about feeling prouder of his abilities and more positive about his intelligence than ever before. Although Justin has chosen to retire in May, he plans to use his renewed confidence to create social media content and is keen to study ADHD further, particularly around understanding and living with it.
What made you apply for Secret Genius?
My wife suggested it and thought I’d be good at it.
What part of the experience surprised you the most?
I really enjoyed the interactions with the other people on the show (including the crew, Alan and Suzie) and felt really relaxed throughout the whole experience (except just before the tasks or the results of the tasks).
Was there a moment when you doubted yourself? If so, how did you push through it? I doubted myself all the way through. I’ve never thought of myself as being intelligent and feel I only got into nursing (and did well in it) because it was a practical job.
What did you learn about the way your own brain works, and did it change how you see your intelligence?
I do see myself as maybe a little cleverer than I give myself credit for but do wonder about my intelligence still. I wonder if people watching will see the tasks I did well on and think, “well that was easy”. I realise there are some things I’m good at, problem solving, maths, but my short-term memory is not great.
If someone watching at home doubts their own ability, what would you say to them?
I do believe we all have different talents and areas of intelligence. I said it on the show that my son is similar to me, and he struggles with intelligence in a lot of people’s eyes, but ask him anything about football - teams, players, grounds and he’ll know it. Where people have an interest, I think they may be cleverer than they think. Rest yourself and push yourself outside your comfort zones. Be proud of who you are, but you can always read, study, do puzzles and quizzes to expand your knowledge and abilities in all areas. Practice is key.