Joe Cox’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Joe Cox shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Joe, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy would probably have to be back in late September of this year. My 2 roommates and I were living in an apartment complex that had really gone downhill since about 2020, I would say. We finally got out of there in late September and are now living in a quieter, nicer, calmer condo complex here in Tucson that actually feels like a home, not an apartment at all! We can actually sleep at night because it’s so quiet and peaceful.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Joe Cox and I’m 35 years old. I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. What I basically specialize in is spreading more autism awareness by using TikTok and Instagram as a video platform. This began in August 2022 and still continues to this day. I did not always start out on TikTok and Instagram, however. Way back in August 2016 I started a YouTube channel where I would make videos about my autism diagnosis and spreading awareness about it. From August 2016-April 2019, I specifically focused on what it was like to attend college and have autism. I attended the University of Arizona here in Tucson from August 2011-May 2019. Graduated in August 2019, however. After that–I pivoted and focused more on life with autism, not going to college and struggles with that. And then 2020 happened and I didn’t go out much because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but just shot videos in my former apartment. Fast forward to August 2022. I was stressed out about my YouTube channel and how I wasn’t getting the views, likes, comments, or shares that other autism creators on YouTube in my niche were. So I was like, “Screw it, this is going nowhere,” and permanently deleted my YouTube channel in August of 2022. Started fresh doing autism awareness content on TikTok and Instagram, and that’s where we’re at today!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I would have to say who taught me the most about work is my former job coach at a wonderful organization here in Tucson called Encourage Arizona. Her name is Jennifer Barclay, and she does job training skills for young adults with autism or other cognitive impairments from various age groups gain meaningful employment. I went through her job training program from February-May 2023, and it was quite an experience. It was helpful to me, because I gained many beneficial skills from her program such as filing tasks, shredding documents, scheduling appointments on the phone for her, data entry and typing, and miscellaneous clerical/office tasks that you might do in an office building.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Yeah. There is something I truly miss that no one else knows about. When I attended the University of Arizona from August 2011-August 2019, I did not take full advantage of things like hanging out on campus after class or staying past class time to go do something with my classmates or friends. I also didn’t get involved with clubs or other organizations as much as I should have and I really regret that. Thankfully–joined a student organization in August 2015 called UATV Channel 3. They’re the student-run broadcast TV station at the University of Arizona. They do original programming in the basement of the Arizona-Sonora dormitories, and I crewed there as a student volunteer crew member from August 2015-April 2019. So much fun, and I’m so glad I finally “found my tribe” at the U of A when I did in August 2015!! Would NOT trade that experience for anything else.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. The public version of me is, indeed, the real me. But what you do not see is my struggles with mental health. I suffer from both chronic anxiety and depression. Have suffered with this for a long time, really. Some days I struggle getting out of bed in the morning. But I manage to fight through it because I make myself have a motivator that gets me moving every morning that is a way to get myself up and moving so I can actually do something with my day and not just be laying in bed feeling depressed and anxious.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
The thing I understand deeply that most people don’t is autism. I think that most people are really not familiar with autism and all of its quirks and eccentricities. Having autism is a struggle for me. I cannot always pick up on certain social cues or situations, and sometimes this has resulted in scenarios on different social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or even TikTok with people blocking me for what I assume is apparently no reason. Most of the time, I have been blocked by young women between the ages of 18-25 who didn’t understand that I mean absolutely no harm. Just wish that they, along with other people, would understand that it is simply a part of my autism diagnosis that I did something like that. Not trying to be creepy or irritate them, just simply trying to be friendly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@joecox.90?
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe.cox27/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-cox-aa26a715a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joe.dk.cox90/
• Other: https://www.snapchat.com/@joedkcox90

Image Credits
Joe Cox