Created by Julie and Jel Legg, both diagnosed with ADHD in their fifties, ADHDifference challenges the misconception that ADHD only affects young people. Drawin...
ADHDifference - EMBRACING ADHD LIFE + guest Upton Rand
Julie Legg welcomes Upton Rand to the ADHDifference podcast. Upton (Ohio, USA) was diagnosed with ADHD at six and shares his journey of embracing his ADHD as a powerful force that drives his curiosity, adventurous spirit, and capacity for innovation. Through his experiences, Upton has learned to ride the wave of ADHD rather than fight against it and encourages listeners to embrace their differences and trust their unique paths. His story exemplifies how ADHD, when acknowledged and navigated thoughtfully, can become a source of strength and adventure in life.KEY TAKEAWAYSEarly Diagnosis & Childhood: Diagnosed at six, Upton experienced challenges with focus, stillness, and academic performance. He describes growing up during the "Ritalin generation," with ADHD becoming increasingly visible and many classmates taking medication."Riding the Wave" of ADHD: Upton speaks about his philosophy of riding the wave of ADHD, saying: "It's the wave of who I am and I have to ride it. And it's taken me to amazing places. I've met incredible people. I've done things I never thought I'd be able to do. And I would really like to see everyone ride their wave, whatever that looks like for them."Curiosity, Adventure, and AI: Upton highlights how his ADHD fuels an insatiable curiosity and drive for adventure. AI has become a valuable tool in managing his curiosity and helps streamline his learning process by offering quick, tailored information, keeping him engaged while preventing the overwhelm that can come with distraction. LINKSUpton Rand - websiteUpton's book - Gay CampgroundsUpton's book - Gay Mens Field Guide: Urban AdventuresJulie Legg's book - The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHDSend us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.
Julie Legg chats with Dr Jaime Raygoza, founder of Rainbow Career Coaching (California, USA), to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by ADHDers in the workplace and beyond. Diagnosed as an adult, Jaime opens up about his journey of self-discovery, offering valuable insights into managing stress, preventing burnout, and embracing one's authentic self.Together, they discuss strategies to thrive in professional settings, the power of reframing ADHD traits as unique strengths, finding balance through self-care, and the surprising mental health benefits of practices like laughter yoga. It's a candid, practical conversation designed to inspire and empower ADHDers at every stage of their careers.KEY TAKEAWAYSBarriers to Career Progression: ADHD traits like procrastination, impulsivity, and hyperfocus can impact performance. Negative self-perceptions and societal expectations can undermine confidence.Being Authentic: Jaime highlights the importance of understanding your brain's wiring and leveraging ADHD traits like creativity and adaptability as strengths. Masking or suppressing one’s authentic self, often to conform, can increase anxiety and reduce productivity.Stress and Burnout Management: ADHDers can thrive in high-pressure situations due to the surge of dopamine but are also prone to burnout from overwork and sensory overload. demands or lack of control in tasks can trigger emotional shutdown or overwhelm. Strategies like structured breaks, managing workload, and prioritizing self-care are critical. ExcessiveLaughter Yoga as Stress Relief: This practice combines intentional laughter with breathing exercises to lower cortisol levels, and increase dopamine, improving mood and focus.Overcoming Challenges: Body-doubling, maintaining accountability, setting boundaries and building tailored strategies for focus and time management are beneficial, along with work-life balance.LINKSRainbow Career Coaching - website Rainbow Career Coaching - YouTube Rainbow Career Coaching - InstagramRainbow Career Coaching - Facebook Dr Jaime Raygoza - LinkedIn Dr Jaime Gaygoza - Google ScholarJulie Legg, author of The Missing Piece: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHDSend us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.
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ADHDifference - FLIPSIDES OF ADHD
Julie and Jel Legg discuss the common yet invalidating comment, "You don’t look like you have ADHD," and explore how ADHD traits, such as overthinking and emotional regulation, can create paradoxical behaviours that confuse observers. The Flipsides of ADHD highlight the contrasting extremes that can coexist within moments—swinging from overthinking to underthinking, oversharing to withholding, and being highly organized to thriving in chaos. These complexities emphasize that ADHD is best understood through appropriate tools and expert guidance, rather than through casual judgments from friends or family. KEY TAKEAWAYSADHD's Paradoxes: People with ADHD often exhibit seemingly contradictory traits, such as overthinking one moment and underthinking the next. This duality can confuse others and even those with ADHD themselves.The Challenge of Understanding ADHD: ADHD’s complexity makes it difficult for both neurotypicals and individuals with ADHD to fully grasp. Outsiders may simplify or misjudge the condition due to a lack of proper context or tools for understanding.Invalidation Through Misjudgment: Phrases like, "You don’t look like you have ADHD," can be invalidating and stem from others' limited perspectives rather than reality. These remarks highlight the importance of promoting awareness and education.The Importance of Perspective: Understanding ADHD requires the right tools and expertise. Lay observations are insufficient, much like using a tape measure to estimate the distance to the moon.Navigating Misunderstanding with Grace: Instead of responding harshly to misinformed comments, individuals with ADHD can use them as an opportunity to educate others while maintaining self-compassion.ADHD is Personal and Nuanced: No two ADHD experiences are alike, making it essential to approach the topic with sensitivity and an open mind. It is not a condition that can be boxed into simple categories or stereotypes.LINKSJulie Legg Author – The Missing Piece: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHDADHDifference InstagramSend us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.
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ADHDifference - TEEN & YOUNG ADULT THERAPY + guest Emily Cox
Julie Legg chats with Emily Cox, a licensed therapist from North Carolina, USA, exploring the challenges and triumphs of navigating life as a neurodivergent teen or young adult. Drawing on her personal and professional journey, Emily sheds light on the social and emotional hurdles young people often encounter and shares her therapeutic approach, which focuses on empowering clients to harness their unique strengths and thrive. KEY TAKEAWAYSSocial and Communication Challenges: Teens and young adults often face difficulties in expressing their thoughts and navigating social interactions. Emily emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces where they can learn alternative ways to communicate and connect.Personal and Professional Journey: Diagnosed as neurodivergent in childhood, Emily’s experiences of feeling different in a time of greater stigma fueled her passion for mental health advocacy.Therapeutic Approach: Emily uses creative and adaptive methods tailored to individual needs, whether it's working through trauma, regulating emotions, or finding nonverbal ways to express feelings.Strengths Over Fixes: Therapy is not about “fixing” neurodivergence but empowering individuals to utilize their unique abilities as tools for success.Fostering Self-Confidence: By reframing neurodivergence as a source of strength, Emily helps clients build self-acceptance and confidence.LINKSLarkspur Therapy - websiteLarkspur Therapy - InstagramJulie Legg Author - websiteSend us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.
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ADHDifference - RESILIENCE & LEADERSHIP + guest Dr Nathan Mellor
Julie Legg chats with Dr Nathan Mellor, CEO of Strata Leadership, keynote speaker and author, to uncover his extraordinary journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30, Nathan's life was profoundly reshaped by this pivotal revelation. Nathan's narrative is not just inspiring—it’s a testament to the power of understanding, self-acceptance, and unwavering determination. Harnessing resilience and an indomitable spirit, Nathan turned his challenges into opportunities for growth, emerging as a dynamic advocate for ADHD awareness. His story is one of navigating the intricate tapestry of hyperfocus, emotional intensity, and the demands of leadership, proving that individuals with ADHD possess exceptional potential to thrive in creative and adaptive environments. KEY TAKEAWAYS Resilience and Self-Discovery: Despite initial reluctance, he embraced the diagnosis as a tool for understanding his struggles and strengths. Nathan developed resilience by confronting misconceptions about ADHD and overcoming personal biases. Hyperfocus and Leadership Skills: Hyperfocus presented challenges, such as exhaustion and difficulty balancing multiple interests, but also equipped Nathan with a strong work ethic and adaptability. His leadership in founding and running Strata Leadership is informed by his ability to harness creativity and remain empathetic to others’ struggles. Advocacy and Breaking Stigma: Nathan views speaking openly about ADHD as a responsibility to help others navigate their diagnoses and reduce societal stigma. By reframing ADHD as a difference rather than a deficit, he promotes an empowering perspective for individuals and communities. Harnessing Strengths and Driving Success: Dr. Mellor likened his mind to a “V12 engine with a faulty transmission,” symbolizing the disconnect he felt between his potential and execution prior to diagnosis. After diagnosis, he honed his focus and leadership skills, enabling him to excel academically and professionally. LINKS https://strataleadership.com/nathan-mellor https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnathanmellor/ https://julielegg.nz/ Send us a textThanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.
Created by Julie and Jel Legg, both diagnosed with ADHD in their fifties, ADHDifference challenges the misconception that ADHD only affects young people. Drawing from full lives, careers, and relationships prior to their diagnoses, they share a unique perspective as older adults with ADHD.Their mission is to foster understanding by sharing personal, relatable experiences in informal, unscripted, and honest conversations. Choosing "ADHDifference" over "disorder" reflects their belief that ADHD is a difference in brain wiring, not just a clinical label.Julie is an ADHD author (The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing, and Living with ADHD - HarperCollins NZ, 2024) and ADHD advocate.
New Zealand