Aleksei grew up with undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Living with undiagnosed ADHD led to significant impacts on his academic performance, career aspirations, social life and relationships.

As a young adult he suffered from recurring episodes of severe anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation for which he received regular treatment and support.

At the age of 30, after years of questioning whether he may or may not have ADHD, he sought a formal diagnosis, resulting in a greater appreciation for his own support needs and a clearer goal for how he wished to work in the world.

The first step to recovery for Aleksei was to pursue his interests - he had always wanted to play tabletop RPGs. It was hard to find people who were supportive and inclusive of his neurodivergence and identity as a bisexual man.

Eventually he discovered ways to use his skills in connecting and understanding people to help him create the community he needed, and from playing tabletop gaming and pursuing his interests he built a stronger sense of self belief and confidence.

Through this, he came to understand the power of interest-based support and how to model positive behaviour, diversity and inclusion within these spaces.

Bond & Wild is a company headed by Aleksei Bondarenko-Edwards, which spreads the holistic power of interest-based support to individuals and organisations who need these services. Together we work to help others to use their interests and personal strengths to work toward first understanding what success looks like to them. Together we work to help you captain your ship on this often out-of-control ocean of life and choose where you’re heading.

Bond & Wild works in-person at convenient locations in the Melbourne Greater Metropolitan area, Gippsland and Ballarat as well as online through a variety of platforms.