ADHD and Entrepreneurship: Effective Management Strategies for Running Your Business

In this episode, I talk to JP Holecka, CEO & founder of a Digital Agency in Vancouver Canada.

He shares his story of late in life diagnosed with ADHD while running a successful Digital Agency. Prior to his ADHD diagnosis, he felt so alone and “deficient”, after his diagnosis he felt a huge relief that he is not alone and there are ways to manage his brain. For a while, he took no action about his ADHD diagnosis until he reached a tipping point in his business. He chose to take control of his brain and decided to take action. He reached out to me for coaching and today he shares his transformation.

JP talks about how he tackled his Dyslexia diagnosis in his 20s and saw the benefits of choosing to manage it and decided to choose to learn tools and strategies to manage his ADHD. He shares his experience before and after coaching and the change of his perception around his approach to task, leadership, goals, and focuses on how to make the most of his strengths.

JP is now thriving with his ADHD and is a more inspiring leader to his team.

As you listen to this episode it is important to note that the tools and strategies that JP talks about are his very unique way of managing ADHD. We got there by working together and helping him see his true strengths and how he can use them to make the most of his day.

Through ADHD Coaching, you can come up with your own unique solutions to manage your brain, understand how to use your strengths to achieve your goals, and remove the negative self-talk that holds you back from getting the results you have been striving towards.

More about JP Holecka, Founder and CEO of POWERSHiFTER

JP heads the vision and strategic direction of POWERSHiFTER. For over 30 years, he has been solving design, communications, and digital product challenges for clients such as Energizer, Deloitte, Mattel, TELUS, FitBit, and Western Union.

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  • #65: How to give yourself grace and freedom after ADHD diagnosis | Guest Brian Fanzo

    In this episode, I wanted to introduce you to Brian Fanzo, who shares his journey of a late in life diagnosis.

    I was so inspired by his passion for life, family, and most importantly self-compassion as he moves through ADHD in adulthood.

    Key points:

    • Journey of ADHD diagnosis as an adult and his perspective and later how he is supporting his child’s diagnosis of ADHD.
    • Brian shares how he sees his ADHD as a superpower and feels loud and proud of his brain wiring.
    • Reflection on how he managed his corporate days while not realizing he had ADHD
    • He leaned into his strengths and successfully transitioned into Entrepreneurship
    • He explains why his zen place is playing Poker
    • Brian’s share his unique way of how he approaches productivity while managing multiple business initiatives
    • and so much more, be sure to listen to the entire episode.

    About Brian:

    Brian Fanzo is a digital futurist keynote speaker who translates the trends of tomorrow to inspire change today. His customized and personalized programs showcase real-world stories and examples of forward-thinking people and businesses. He teaches companies of all sizes how to leverage technology in real time in order to engage their customers at the right time. Brian has a gift for bringing people together online and offline. He has worked in 76 countries, highlighting his passion for change, collaboration, and technology. At age 14, Brian won a speed typing contest and his love for computers and technology was born. After years of playing The Oregon Trail, creating in Adobe Pagemaker, and using Napster, Brian earned a Computer Science degree. Prior to speaking, he worked for nine years at the Department of Defense where he managed a global team who deployed collaboration and cybersecurity solutions across all branches of the military – which required him to maintain the highest civilian security clearance. He then pursued his dream job as a technology evangelist for a booming cloud-computing startup, helping companies embrace the rate of change and new ways to innovate. Brian is currently the Founder of iSocialFanz, which has helped launch digital and influencer strategies with the world’s most iconic brands like Dell, EMC, Adobe, IBM, UFC, Applebee’s, and SAP.

    Brian has been recognized as a Top 20 Digital Transformation Influencer; a Top 50 Most-Mentioned User by CMOs on Twitter, and a Top 25 Social Business Leader of the Future by The Economist. His followers on social media and podcast downloads rank in the hundreds of thousands, resulting in Brian being an influencer for 19 of the Fortune 100 companies.

    More about Brian at https://www.isocialfanz.com/adhd-superpowered

    https://brianfanzo.com/forced-to-work-from-home-with-adhd-now-what/

    https://www.isocialfanz.com/post/what-adhd-can-teach-you-about-entrepreneur-productivity

  • 89: ADHD and Burnout: Navigating the Connection | Guest – Brendan Mahan

    ADHD and Burnout!!! I can not get enough of this topic, so I decided to have a candid conversation about it with my special guest Brendan Mahan, host of ADHD Essentials Podcast and ADHD Coach.  

    “Is it the Fish or the Water? Is the fish sick because the fish is sick? or is the fish sick, Because it’s swimming in a toxic ocean.” Brendan unpacks this concept so beautifully in this episode. (Yes we do get into politics in this talk) 

    We covered various aspects of how those with ADHD might experience burnout and how to move through it. 

    Thank you Brendan for being an amazing guest, really enjoyed this rich conversation and your wisdom.  

    #ADHD 

     

    About: 

    Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., MS., an internationally recognized ADHD/Executive Function coach, a highly engaging, sought-after speaker, and the host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. A former teacher, mental health counselor, and principal, Brendan helps individuals, families, schools, and businesses manage the challenges of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and neurodiversity through an approach that blends education, collaborative problem-solving, and accountability with compassion, humor, a focus on strengths and growth, and his trademark “Wall of Awful™” model. He has been featured in The Washington Post, ADDitude Magazine, How To ADHD, and Speaker Magazine. Contact him at brendan@ADHDessentials.com.

  • 477 | Learning Through Creativity with T. Perran Mitchell

    In this episode, Eric is joined by T. Perran Mitchell, the crafter of stories and maker of things! Comics are his favorite medium and have been for as long as he can remember.  Growing up with ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety, comics not only fostered a love of reading, they were the key to learning to read.  He has also been with the same company for nearly 20 years running their quality control department.  T took a circuitous path to writing comics by first graduating from Drexel University with a degree in Information Science and Technology.  Every term, he took at least one class for himself that had nothing to do with his major, which led him to accidentally minoring in Philosophy and nearly attaining a minor in literature.  He uses these various interests to inform his writing.  Find out more about T. Perran Mitchell on his website at TPerranMitchell.com!   You can also find T. Perran Mitchell on LinkedIn, and on Twitter and Instagram as @TPerranMitchell  Other Questions/Topics Answered in this Episode: [00:02:07] Eric asks T about his ADHD story and life growing up  [00:04:03] T shares his experiences in college and the classes he was interested in vs. the classes he attended  [00:07:54] How has T been able to stay with the same company for nearly 20 years?  [00:09:30] Eric and T talk about distractions at work, music, and noise-canceling headphones  [00:12:28] A discussion on finding time to write, creative blocks, distractions, and being your own boss [00:18:12] Eric asks T about his comic writing and recreating manifestations of his life  [00:20:17] Are T’s comics specifically about ADHD or anxiety?  [00:21:31] As a creative, what does T’s workflow and writing process look like?  [00:25:52] Eric and T have a discussion about collaboration and leaning on the the skills of others  [00:32:40] ChatGPT, AI art generators, and how they affect creatives [00:40:16] An exchange on handwriting, voice-to-text, and spell-check  [00:43:05] Eric asks T about managing hyperfocus  [00:46:05] Where to find T. Perran and closing thoughts Resources & Honorable Mentions: Editor’s Choice: Studio / Monitor Headphones – Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro   Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: ADHD Essentials with Brendan Mahan Hacking Your ADHD with Will Curb ADHD Diversified with MJ Siemens Have you heard about our Adult Study Hall Community? Go to adultstudyhall.com to join our ADHD-friendly body-doubling community! Interested in group coaching and want to take your ADHD management to the next level? Go to coachingrewired.com to get all the up-to-date information on the upcoming season of ADHD reWired’s award-winning Coaching & Accountability groups!

  • 452 | Overcoming Burnout with David Greenwood

      Returning to the podcast is David Greenwood, the author of .  He is also the author of and hosts the ADHD podcast called “Overcoming Distractions.” Learn more about David Greenwood at Find his books Overcoming Burnout and Overcoming Distraction at   Hear David Greenwood previously on ADHD reWired on episode #165 – Hear Eric as a guest on David’s podcast:   Questions/Topics Answered in this Episode: [00:05:44] What made David want to write about burnout? [00:07:45] What is burnout?  What are the symptoms/basic signs of burnout?  [00:09:26] What is the line distinguishing between depression and burnout?  [00:10:45] Alleviating stress is not the same thing as alleviating the stressor. What’s the difference? [00:13:40] “Burnout recovery starts with the body.”  [00:20:28] How do we know if we’re in a period of stress vs. actual burnout that needs to be addressed?  [00:24:04] What else can we do, other than exercise, to help with burnout? [00:36:17] Recap of the 6 things to do when you begin to recognize you’re headed to burnout. [00:37:48] Another way to help with burnout is…  [00:40:03] How do drugs/alcohol affect burnout?   6 things to do when you begin to recognize you’re headed to burnout: Talk with someone you trust.  Hit the gym / do something physical & exercise    Sit still.  Try for 30 minutes to start.   Book a weekend away.  Manage your time.  Test your “no” and say no to at least one thing.  Resources & Honorable Mentions: Book:   Bonus Mentions: ADHD reWired episode #404:   Watch and listen to Eric’s interview with one of his past podcast guests, Pasha Marlowe, on Pasha’s Podcast on YouTube: Pasha’s Book:   Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens The Annual International Conference on ADHD is coming soon!  Join virtually or in person in Dallas, Texas!  Then, listeners of ADHD reWired can get 15% off your registration at !  Or use the promo code adhdrewiredadhdcon2022 at checkout!

  • 488 | Managing Big Emotions with Marcy Caldwell, Psy.D

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  • Overcoming Adversity with Positive Psychology: Finding Purpose and Joy

    In this episode, I talk with Marc Cordon, MPH – Positive Psychology Coach, who shares his story about how he was always different than the rest, from his ethnicity all the way to his brain wiring. He shares how he went from musician to higher education and then into multicultural work.

    Marc shares from the heart and positive psychology changed his view on social justice and to do it from a place of Joy.

    When you listen to this episode, remember this is a person who was diagnosed with many conditions such as Identity struggle, Mood disorder, anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar, Depression but Marc did not let these labels get in the way of searching and tapping into his highest purpose. He shares how he figured out what brings him joy. He is super clear of his values and that is one of the key steps in finding your purpose and happiness.

    At about 19:00 min mark, he shares a few tips on how he manages his business to stay focused and grounded.

    Towards the end of the talk, he goes into what toxic positivity means and how our emotions have a purpose be it anger or joy, and why it is important to pay attention to all of our emotions.

    I could have talked to Marc for hours, it was my pleasure to listen to his story and I am delighted to hear how he is able to manage his brain while following his purpose.

    As Marc mentioned he is running a program right now on Joy Revolution, head over to get the details

    About Marc:

    Marc Cordon, MPH, is a positive psychology coach, co-founder of The Joy Revolution™, and author of the book Beyond Resilient: The Coach’s Guide to Ecstatic Growth. He specializes in transitions, leadership, performance, and well-being, helping people break through to the next level to find greater enjoyment and purpose in their lives. With a focus on misfit entrepreneurs and leaders who march to the beat of their own drum, Marc’s coaching empowers people to claim their own joy as they make a difference for others. He has appeared on national television and radio shows and has delivered two TEDx talks on positive psychology and social justice.

    Marc served as the Associate Director of Health Promotion and of Multicultural Programs & Services at Emory University where he developed programs and curriculum on social justice, positive psychology, and community engagement. He has received a BS in Neuroscience and Behavioural Biology and a Masters in Public Health in Policy & Management, as well as coaching accolades from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and the WholeBeing Institute.

    Let’s keep the conversation going,

    • Leave me a voice mail with any questions either on this topic or other topics related to Managing Adult ADHD https://www.speakpipe.com/Coachcathy super easy todo, Record, Listen, and push Send.
    • Did you know your subconscious (your autopilot) is driving your actions and behaviors without you knowing, find out more
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    Did you know my show was recently listed in the feedspot.com as Top 25 ADHD Podcasts? I am super excited to be part of this list, head over there to see other amazing ADHD shows.