“THE FIRST-CLASS FIVE” CHANDLER BOARMAN’S JOURNEY FROM AUTISM AND ADVERSITY TO LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY - VORAKA

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 03 May 2025 by Lucinda Rae | www.vorakamag.com Chandler Bryson Boarman was born on November 12, 1996, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the youngest of three siblings. Diagnosed with high-functioning autism (Asperger’s Syndrome) at age nine, his early life was filled with emotional and academic challenges. Following his parents’ divorce in 2005, Chandler lived with his mother and her abusive boyfriend, enduring a toxic environment that impacted his well-being.

School was no refuge, Chandler was often mislabeled a troublemaker due to his undiagnosed condition. At one point, educators even discussed holding him back or institutionalizing him. A turning point came in third grade when a woman named Janet recognized signs of autism and alerted his father. This led to a proper diagnosis and full custody being granted to his dad, offering Chandler a stable and supportive home.

CHANDLER BOARMAN

A major influence in his development was his stepmother Nadiia, a Ukrainian honors student. With her firm discipline and academic support, Chandler began to thrive, eventually earning an MBA from Penn State in 2021.

At age 23, Chandler took charge of the cleaning crew in his father’s real estate company. By 27, he had become Executive Director, expanding the business across four Pennsylvania counties. The COVID-19 pandemic brought increased demand but also severe labor shortages, Chandler often cleaned entire buildings alone. Despite this, he kept operations running and profits strong. In 2022 and 2023, his team grew to include hardworking refugees from the Russia-Ukraine war, thanks to Chandler’s inclusive hiring approach. Today, he leads with resilience, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose. His journey from misunderstood child to respected leader, is a powerful story of faith, perseverance, and personal growth. ABOUT THE BOOK

THE FIRST-CLASS FIVE by CHANDLER BOARMAN

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The novel The First-Class Five: Issue 1 of 5 by Chandler Boarman follows a covert team of heroes tasked with dismantling a mysterious rebel faction armed with weapons of unimaginable power. As they race against time to prevent global catastrophe, questions begin to arise: Who is truly in control? Are the heroes fighting for the right side? And what if the line between good and evil isn’t as clear as it seems?  Blending action, political intrigue, and futuristic warfare, this story challenges the reader to think deeply about power, loyalty, and the consequences of unchecked authority. A thrilling ride from start to finish, this book explores the rise of a new world threat one that may be more dangerous than anything the world has faced before. The First-class Five: Chosen not just for their skill, but for their unbreakable resolve and mysterious pasts, these five operatives are handpicked from different corners of the world. Each carries unique talents telekinetic, tech mastery, elite combat, psychic espionage, and stealth beyond measure but also personal demons that threaten to unravel their mission from within.

In Issue 1, the team is assembled for the first time as they investigate a rogue militant group that has vanished into the shadows with a stolen weapon of unknown origin and terrifying power. But the deeper they dig, the more they realize that the threat isn’t just external. Someone or something is watching them. Testing them. Manipulating them.

This first installment sets the stage with high-octane action, stunning visuals, character-driven drama, and a plot filled with conspiracy, betrayal, and revelation. As alliances form and tensions rise, the First-Class Five must decide: are they protectors or pawns?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHANDLER BOARMAN

VORAKA: How did discovering your autism at nine years old change your understanding of yourself?

CHANDLER: It helped everyone, including me, understand why I had comprehension issues in school. It also gave some insight into the difficulties with social interactions and how my brain processes any form of information.

VORAKA: What inspired you to pursue big aspirations in entertainment and sports from a young age?

CHANDLER: Since my early childhood, I have watched movies and television; throughout my life, there were many gems that I cherished. I have brought out big laughs reenacting scenes. Being involved in a big project seemed incredible, the thrill of a win.

This includes baseball movies: Major League, Angels in the Outfield, Rookie of the Year, The Sandlot, etc.

VORAKA: How did Janet’s influence help shift your life in a positive direction?

CHANDLER: Janet, not getting frustrated with me, was very new to me, and showed me the importance of understanding. Also, the diagnosis was probably the biggest moment of clarity in my life, for all concerned.

VORAKA: What was the biggest challenge you faced while managing your father’s cleaning business during the labor shortage?

CHANDLER: The biggest challenge was not only the years of long, late hours, but it was the two-sided pressure of strict managers and unreliable employees. I conducted hundreds of interviews, paying thousands to hiring websites, and almost nobody even showed up.

VORAKA: How did your stepmother, Nadiia, impact your academic and personal growth?

CHANDLER: Nadiia had two master’s degrees from Ukraine and Penn State. She knew how to excel, and she showed me how. She also grew up on farmland in Ivano Frankivsk. Her family lived through every Soviet leader after Joseph Stalin, living a minimalist and very disciplined life. She used that experience to raise me. I had many inside and outside chores.

VORAKA: What motivated you to write and submit a script for The Big Bang Theory?

CHANDLER: In high school, this was my favorite show. Among the many great aspects, I found Amy Farrah Fowler to be a great character, and to see Mayim Bialik’s professional credibility and likeability was truly admirable. At the time, I already aspired to be a part of TV/film projects; I was trying to make my own luck.

VORAKA: How did overcoming bullying and social challenges shape your resilience?

CHANDLER: The tough part was learning that the person who gets in trouble is NOT the mean kid; it is the one who makes the most noise. Throughout high school, I took mixed martial arts classes. Eventually, I became better at standing up for myself, which was a motivation for the other students to be more respectful.

VORAKA: What role does faith play in how you navigate life’s challenges?

CHANDLER: Being closer to God and reading Bible verses has helped so much. I don’t feel the pressure of having to be perfect, having accepted that I was born a human, and not an angel or God himself. Growing as a person and trying to listen to God and the universe, I often receive more clarity on why things happened the way they did. It was preparation to be better.

VORAKA: How has your relationship with your parents and sisters evolved?

CHANDLER: My relationship with my father, Nadiia, all my sisters, and their children has certainly evolved for the better. The holidays are fun, my little sisters are growing up well, and my family is the best I could ask for.

VORAKA: What inspired you to create your own comic book hero team?

CHANDLER: I wanted to express my own ideas. I started attending comic cons during the peak of the MCU and early stages of the DCEU. I became even more interested in superheroes than I was before. Though at one point I accepted that being an admirer won’t bring satisfaction, so I knew that I needed to develop my own project.

VORAKA: How do you hope to support others facing autism and adversity through your success?

CHANDLER: I want to be an influence for kids who struggle with the restrictions of autism, and show them they can mitigate symptoms and be their best. It is important to know that everything happens for a reason and a greater cause.