Flushing Taboos, Building Movements
Jack Sim, known as “Mr Toilet,” is a serial entrepreneur and social changemaker who has built global movements from scratch. From founding the World Toilet Organization, which led to the United Nation’s World Toilet Day, to launching initiatives to end poverty for billions, Jack channels the traits of ADHD—creativity, restlessness, and boundless energy—into causes that uplift humanity. At 68, he continues to reimagine possibilities with humour, curiosity, and courage.
Quotes
“I would tell the younger Jack who stood outside the classroom in shame that his quirks were actually his strengths—that the very restlessness that got him punished would one day build global change.”
“ADHD gave me the drive to take risks, and the curiosity to pursue unconventional ideas. I embraced chaos as part of the process.”
“I am still dreaming—of new ways to break taboos, end poverty, and uplift the marginalised. ADHD keeps me restless, but also keeps me alive to possibility.”
Early Awareness
In primary school, I was always hyperactive and disruptive. Teachers frequently punished me by sending me outside the classroom, so I missed most lessons. At O-Levels, my grades were so poor, I could not proceed to tertiary education.
I didn’t realise I might have ADHD until my daughter, who studied psychology at SMU, told me she thought I had it. By then, I was already 65. Looking back, the signs were obvious: restlessness, endless ideas, and an ability to juggle multiple things at once.
I failed everything at O-Level because I was always sent to stand outside the class. Since I did not possess a degree, I became a Union Secretary, and learnt management from the other side of the table.
From Failure to Entrepreneurship
While ADHD made school difficult, it also shaped my entrepreneurial journey. I was always restless and thinking of new ideas. Over the years, I started 16 successful companies, including the Australian International School at Lorong Chuan.
But the path wasn’t straightforward. Without academic qualifications, I often had to create opportunities where none seemed to exist. ADHD gave me the drive to take risks, and the curiosity to pursue unconventional ideas. I embraced chaos as part of the process.
At 40, after two decades of building businesses, I retired financially free. But I also knew money alone wasn’t enough. The ADHD restlessness was still there. I needed to build something bigger than myself.
Turning Point: A Toilet Revolution
My biggest turning point came during the recession between 1998 and 2000, when my businesses slowed down. Instead of wallowing, I pivoted to humanitarian work. I founded the Restroom Association of Singapore, and later, in 2001, the World Toilet Organization (WTO).
Talking about toilets was taboo. People laughed at me. But toilets were a matter of dignity, health, and equality—and if humour was the way to break the taboo, I leaned into it. I made toilet humour my brand, earning the nickname “Mr Toilet.”
Today, WTO is credited with breaking the taboo on toilets and sanitation, bringing proper sanitation to over a billion people worldwide.
Achievements at Scale
Today, WTO is credited with breaking the taboo on toilets and sanitation, bringing proper sanitation to over 2 billion people worldwide.
One of my proudest achievements was creating UN World Toilet Day on 19 November, which was adopted by all 193 countries at the UN General Assembly in 2013. This day mobilises governments and NGOs to focus on sanitation—a critical but often overlooked issue.
I successfully lobbied the Brazilian Senate for the privatisation of Brazil’s sewage treatment plants, attracting USD 44 billion in investment. Our World Toilet Summit 2007 triggered India to build 110 million toilets, and I worked with China to transform all their public and tourism toilets into clean and hygienic places.
Beyond sanitation, I started BOP Hub in 2011 to accelerate solutions to end global poverty for four billion people living at the bottom of the pyramid. More recently, I launched a SG Batik Design Contest to give Singapore a common identity, and I dream of creating an open-air gallery for ADHD artists at Fort Road and Meyer Road.
Each project reflects my belief that creativity is endless, and that restlessness can be a powerful force for social good.
Strengths and Strategies
I believe ADHD has been helpful for me. My hyperactivity means I have almost no saturation point—I can work on 80 to 100 projects at once and manage multiple partners globally. My spontaneity helps me build meaningful conversations and networks around the world. It allows me to see connections others miss, and to inspire collaborators who might otherwise be sceptical.
To channel this energy, I use what I call “Gumption”: Curiosity, Courage, Compassion, Commitment, Communication, Collaboration, Community, and Calmness. These qualities are my compass. I even wrote a book, The Gumption of Mr Toilet, which is now used by schools to teach character development.
Living With ADHD
I don’t see ADHD as a disability. For me, it is an energy source. The key is not to suppress it, but to guide it. I focus on laughter, play, and curiosity. Of course, the hyperactivity has challenges—sustaining attention on details, or following systems that feel repetitive. But instead of fighting those traits, I delegate, collaborate, and focus my time on sparking movements.
Advice to My Younger Self
ADHD can be a good thing. Be creative, have fun, play with ideas and laugh all the time. Such behaviour can lead to an absence of fear and entrepreneurship skills when you learn curiosity, courage, compassion, commitment, communication, community building and calmness.
I would tell the younger Jack who stood outside the classroom in shame that his quirks were actually his strengths—that the very restlessness that got him punished would one day build global change.
Changing How the World Sees ADHD
There are many degrees of ADHD. I want people to see the high-functioning ADHDers and appreciate that children should not be punished in school but supported to use their gifts. Creativity, humour, and energy are not flaws—they are sparks waiting to ignite.
Time is priceless. And service to humanity is the highest value of exchange for time.That is what ADHD has taught me: life is too short to conform, and too precious not to serve.
Where I Am Today
I retired from business at 40, achieving financial independence. For the last 28 years, I’ve been working pro bono to change the world. I live with my wife and four children, enjoying family life while continuing to teach, inspire, and build movements that spark global change.
At 68, I am still dreaming—of new ways to break taboos, end poverty, and uplift the marginalised. ADHD keeps me restless, but also keeps me alive to possibility.
Support the ADHD Community
If you’d like to read more stories like these, consider donating $150 or more to receive a copy of our book, Differently Wired Minds as a thank-you. Limited quantities available.
Your donation helps Unlocking ADHD provide counselling, psychoeducation, and other vital support services to those affected by ADHD.
Special thanks to our sponsors whose generous support made this book possible:
MINDSET, Singapore Pools, Chua Foundation, Hyphens Pharma
Leave a Reply