How I dropped out and built a life school could never teach me

Sunday musings: What school never taught me about thinking, creating, and surviving in the new economy.

The second cohort for the H.A.L.O. Masterclass waitlist is now open. Join the waitlist here.  

Waitlist members get: 

🔐 Early access to secure your seat at a discounted price 
🔐 A 5-day warm-up series to prime your mindset and messaging 
🔐 Complimentary bonus support for 1 week after the masterclass ends via WhatsApp and email (choose from coaching, feedback, or strategy support) 

I dropped out of university at 21, not because I could not handle the pressure of assignments or exams.

I had already survived far worse growing up in a home where silence and tension were louder than any classroom bell, but what broke me was not the stress.

It was the dull ache of watching my mind shrink inside a system that rewarded memorisation and punished curiosity.

Every lecture felt like a loop, every textbook was an echo of someone else’s thoughts, and every assignment was a performance of obedience dressed up as achievement.

What I craved was friction, but what I found was sedation.

So I left, not in a blaze of rebellion, but with quiet clarity. I stopped waiting for permission to learn, gave myself a syllabus and started building a different kind of education, one rooted in self-inquiry, experimentation, and service.

I replaced lectures with newsletters, grades with feedback, and group projects with collaborations that actually mattered. It was terrifying at first with no safety net, degree or path. But slowly, one post, one client, one win at a time, I found my rhythm.

I now run Human Algorithm, a one-person business where I write stories, teach strategy, and coach people on how to lead with clarity, vulnerability, and voice.

I didn’t need a degree; what I needed was a compass, reason and a system that let me build instead of beg.

And it turns out that is what the creator economy is, not just a place for influencers and viral dances, but a proving ground for people willing to turn what they know into what they teach, and turn that into how they earn.

If you are still waiting for someone to hand you a plan, stop. The future will not reward your obedience, but it will reward your originality. Not the kind that performs for applause, but the kind that solves real problems, creates real value, and brings your full self to work.

That is what personal branding is, not about selling out, but about showing up as yourself, with clarity, on purpose.

It is the backbone of what I teach in my coaching programs because storytelling is not fluff, but survival, and communication isn’t decoration, it is how we lead.

In the H.A.L.O. Masterclass, I work with creators, founders, and leaders to develop writing systems, brand clarity, and content strategies that feel true to who they are, not who they are expected to be.

See you next Sunday.

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Whenever you are ready, I can help you elevate your brand, communication, and leadership presence in four ways.

If you're ready to make that shift, here’s where I can help. You’ll also get my “The Ultimate Storytelling Playbook” ebook as a complimentary bonus after the program ends.

Storytelling and communication strategy – Develop clear, compelling narratives that drive engagement, build trust, and deliver measurable results. This includes a 90-minute deep dive into your brand goals, a storytelling audit of your current content strategy, a custom communication blueprint, and a follow-up action plan with milestones and KPIs. Perfect for brands, startups, executives, and marketing teams.

Leadership communication coaching – Gain confidence and clarity in public speaking, media interviews, and high-stakes communication moments. Includes monthly 1:1 coaching, content refinement with script and speech reviews, audience engagement training, and on-call support for key speaking engagements.

LinkedIn personal branding strategy – Build an authoritative and engaging presence on LinkedIn. Get a 90-minute personal branding audit, monthly strategy sessions, profile optimisation, and a structured content framework to consistently grow your influence.

Brand narrative workshops – Align your team with a unified brand voice and powerful storytelling principles. This full-day (virtual or in-person) workshop includes interactive team exercises, a custom workbook, and a follow-up debrief with an actionable communication plan.