Andrew GottWorth here! Pronouns are he/him, though often gender-nonconforming. Née Gott. That’s right, as societal rules are strange, I have a “maiden name.” Originally from Louisville, KY, I’ve lived in Berlin, Germany, for over 3 years.

Through my varied experiences in cities, jobs, volunteer work, sports, and mental health, I’ve developed a love of combining science and evidence with compassion and empathy. I can’t quite decide what I want to be when I grow up, but I love to explore helping others in domains such as OCD, disc golf, education, and inclusion/accessibility.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Western Kentucky University with research in Astronomy (specifically Type Ia Supernovae progenitor models) and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Kentucky State University. With my thesis on the effects of coal mining in Appalachia.

I was, however, a college dropout before returning to finish. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression at age 19. At age 29, I learned I have severe OCD that presents differently from what you might see on TV as being clean and organized. Instead, I have been quite messy, learning to manage perfectionism, relationship OCD, somatic OCD, etc. After dropping out, from ages 19 to 21, I worked in the family caulking company as a substitute teacher, summer camp high ropes instructor counselor, and researcher. I was also hospitalized 3 times for mental health care. And at age 35, I received an ADHD diagnosis.

Now, after 15+ years of therapy and medication, I am an OCD Advocate for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), run the International Networking and Advocacy Group, organize the Berlin OCD walk, and create mental health content under the handle @justrught.

I am an educator and administrator at CODE University of Applied Sciences and a disc golf trainer for Pfeffersport e.V. Previously I was an English language instructor for refugees and immigrants and a math teacher for those seeking a GED. I have also trained and coached leadership, teamwork, data, soccer, and bouldering.

I have a real passion for helping others, and I continue to explore avenues to share best practices I have learned along the way.

I must acknowledge that while I’ve had immense struggles with mental health, and therefore finances, I am in every other way, very privileged. A core value of mine is “No one chooses their birth.” There was no primordial ether where I said I wanted to be born as a white male in the US in 1989 to educated parents. I want to speak English, grow up in the church, be attracted to women, and be right-handed and able-bodied. All of which meant I had no obstacles in these categories.

My experience then in the past two decades or so has been unlearning much of what society taught me. At university, I volunteered with the local Cold Night Shelter to help those without housing, and while working for Serve KY, I rubbed elbows with governors and senators at the state capitol. I have been in many spaces that are exclusively white and also got my master’s at an HBCU. I currently live in Berlin with a population of over 3 million, while also growing up in Elizabethtown, KY (19,000), and living/working in Cynthiana, KY (6,000) for a couple of years. I worked with “gifted and talented” students and high school dropouts. I believe I was the only student at my high school and college who was both an athlete and in theater. I have worked in academia and construction. And… there are plenty more life spectrums where I’ve danced from one side to the other.

People are not all the same wherever you go! However, there are certain aspects like wanting to be accepted and have status, protecting family and friends, and following the “rules” of the community and time.

My writing, speaking, and ruminating seek to peel back what has value and what is an artificial “taboo” that we can unlearn. I have been taught and given so much; I’d love to pass along what has helped many of us find more connected, peaceful, healthy, informed, and pleasurable lives.