Sophie shares her journey of discovering her autism and ADHD in her thirties after her son's diagnosis, reflecting on how her neurodivergent traits were actually the source of her corporate success rather than a hindrance. Her story highlights the power of self-knowledge and authenticity in creating a fulfilling career that aligns with personal values.

• Growing up undiagnosed with academic challenges despite being intelligent
• Discovering neurodiversity through her son's autism diagnosis at age 7
• Recognising how her neurodivergent traits made her excel in strategy consulting
• Leaving the corporate world after realising a disconnect with her core values
• Creating a business helping neurodivergent entrepreneurs align work with values
• Advocating for workplace needs without necessarily disclosing diagnosis
• Finding community with other neurodivergent women
• Using tools like Remarkable notebook, digital calendar frame, and ChatGPT

"I'm successful because of my neurodivergence, not despite it. The way my brain works, being able to absorb huge amounts of information and data, visualise it, and find insights and root causes super quickly...I have this obsession of connecting dots."

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Hibo Osman, a self-proclaimed ethnically ambiguous chaos coordinator, shares her journey of discovering and embracing her ADHD diagnosis while navigating professional life with sparkle, sleep hygiene, and self-compassion.

• Managing energy is crucial for ADHD brains – Hibo feels her emotions viscerally, visibly dimming when tired
• Sleep hygiene forms the foundation of Hibo's coping strategies including blackout curtains, no phones in the bedroom, and stopping caffeine at midday
• Childhood experiences of being unable to sit still and constantly being told to stop talking shaped Hibo's relationship with her "big energy"
• Learning to accept emotional dysregulation rather than fighting it – sometimes that means crying while walking with a weighted vest
• The "Hibo Hustle" combines authenticity and influence to navigate professional challenges
• Finding career paths that embrace rather than stifle your natural ADHD traits
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT to overcome blank page paralysis and boost productivity
• Meditation journey from failed two-minute attempts to a 10-day silent retreat
• Self-compassion as the ultimate goal – somewhere amid the fidgeting and noise, finding a way to love yourself

For more insights on managing ADHD, Hibo recommends "Self-Compassion" by Kristin Neff.

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Fatima, an Emirati motorcycle adventurer diagnosed with ADHD at 45, shares her journey of breaking boundaries and discovering her authentic self through radical decisions and solo adventures.

• Diagnosed with ADHD at 45 after recognising similar traits in her daughter
• Misdiagnosed with depression for eight years before discovering her true neurological condition
• Completed a solo 2,500 km motorcycle journey from Dubai to Iraq
• Grew up as one of 19 siblings, always looking for ways to stand out and be noticed
• Believes in calculated risks and not waiting for others' permission to pursue dreams
• Advocates for tolerance as a pathway to authentic living
• Struggles but perseveres with parenting her own ADHD daughter
• Challenges stereotypes about women in the Middle East through her adventures
• Balances pushing boundaries with respecting cultural frameworks
• Lives by the philosophy: "I do it for me, because when I know and understand me, I can do many things for everybody around me"

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Jennifer Crichton joins us to explore how ADHD has shaped her successful career in radio and journalism, where constant novelty and deadline-driven tasks perfectly match her neurotype. She shares her late diagnosis journey, triggered by early menopause, and the surprising reaction from her parents who immediately recognised her symptoms from childhood.

• Finding the perfect career fit with ADHD as a fast-paced radio producer and journalist
• Following diagnosis breadcrumbs through others' stories and recognising traits
• Overcoming dismissive medical professionals who initially rejected her concerns
• Discovering the crucial connection between hormonal changes and ADHD symptoms
• Creating a holistic management approach beyond medication including exercise, creative outlets, and sobriety
• Building a relationship with another ADHD partner and the complementary coping strategies they've developed
• Using fidget toys, Lego building, and "sweary word" coloring books to manage mental noise
• Finding the value in late diagnosis as validation rather than seeing it as a missed opportunity

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Jade Al Mulla, leadership coach and Famiigo CEO, shares her journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and navigating the complex emotions of identity, success, and cultural expectations with compassion and humour. Half Emirati, half American, fully unforgettable.

• Meeting through roller derby, a full-contact sport on skates that became unlikely therapy for women in the UAE
• Receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and the complex feelings of grief, relief, and identity questioning that followed
• The concept of the "hobby graveyard" – that collection of abandoned interests gathering dust in the closet
• Finding that success can be more terrifying than failure when it threatens connections to our past
• The "snow globe moment" when everything you thought you knew about yourself gets shaken up
• Cultural differences in approaching neurodiversity and how the UAE is making rapid progress
• Practical strategies like daily journaling and pattern recognition for managing ADHD
• Creating Famiigo, an app designed to help families find activities and make memories together
• The importance of doing one thing that scares you, like appearing on a podcast

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Two women with ADHD explore their experiences of late diagnosis, workplace challenges, and finding community in a world designed for neurotypical minds.

• Dani and Lorna introduce the Fast Brained Women Podcast for women with ADHD by women with ADHD
• Both hosts received their diagnoses around age 30 after years of being labelled with depression and anxiety
• Exploring how masking as neurotypical takes a toll on mental health
• Career impacts of undiagnosed ADHD, including multiple redundancies and job changes
• The inconsistency of ADHD symptoms makes explaining them to others particularly challenging
• Social media's role in providing validation and community through relatable content
• Reframing ADHD from a "disorder" to recognising how these traits would have been valuable in ancestral times
• The importance of community as the ultimate resource for managing ADHD

Subscribe and join us for upcoming episodes featuring diverse women sharing their ADHD experiences.

Support the show

Follow us on social @fastbrainedwomen and try Endel : http://endel.io/fastbrains