Overcoming Negative Self-Talk During Major Life Events: Strategies and Tips for ADHD Brains

In this episode, Javier Amor joins Eric from New York City!  Javier is a real-estate broker and is also an Alumni Community member of ADHD reWired’s Coaching and Accountability Groups.  Today, Javier shares his journey through chronic pain, managing Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and self-advocacy.  You’ll also hear how a curious mindset and the power of questions changed Javier’s life, and also how asking better questions led to saving his father’s life.  Other Questions/Topics Answered in this Episode: [00:01:55] Javier shares why he wanted to learn the skill of asking better questions  [00:05:29] “It starts with questioning myself.” [00:05:51] “How can I communicate to the doctors to make them think without being confrontational?”  [00:10:56] The power of the pause, and “Is this going to be constructive, or is it going to ‘defeat’?”  [00:11:28] Using cues and the “point of performance” to act on new knowledge  [00:17:52] Javier talks about managing chronic pain [00:19:08] Javier shares how he prepared himself to see his doctor with what he learned through ArC and the books he’s read [00:22:09] Instead of asking x, ask y instead.  [00:22:50] Javier speaks about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome  [00:25:26] An example of asking curiously vs. telling  [00:27:34] “This is my mission.”  [00:31:28] The importance of asking & advocacy  [00:33:26] “I do get stuck, but I don’t stay stuck.” [00:34:36] “To change self-concept as an adult… takes time.” [00:36:43] Eric & Javier share some final thoughts & words of wisdom Resources & Honorable Mentions: Book:   Book: Instagram: Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens

In this episode, Eric is joined by Kim Alexander!  Kim is a clinical social worker turned stay-at-home mom.  After being diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 at the age of 53, she enrolled in ADHD reWired’s Coaching & Accountability Groups.  Furthering her ADHD journey, at the time of recording, she became involved as a peer mentor, or “ADDmin” for the coaching groups.  In between parenting three kids (who all have ADHD,) Kim enjoys storytelling, political activism, skiing, or anything involving snow.  She is also a competitive acapella singer who has won three international medals with her show chorus!  On today’s show, you’ll hear Eric and Kim talk about inattentive ADHD, Kim’s experience and what she learned going through the coaching groups, how the pandemic affected her, and the positive impacts of self-acceptance and letting go of self-judgment.  Then, you’ll get to hear Kim narrate a short story she wrote, her passion for storytelling, her unique family experiences, and her hopes for others with ADHD who hear her story.   Questions/Topics:  [00:01:10] Introducing Kim  [00:02:12] Dear ADHD…  [00:04:18] What brought Kim back to seek out an ADHD diagnosis and start working on ADHD management?  [00:14:15] Kim takes us on her journey of the last 12 months  [00:17:29] Over the last year, what are some changes Kim has observed and experienced after going through ArC?  [00:19:40] Self-acceptance, self-compassion, and being a mom  [00:26:41] “I’m not going to have anything interesting to share.”  [00:28:51] Opening up on feelings of “not enough” [00:36:56] Long-term planning. bucket lists, and The Moth [00:40:25] Kim shares her moth story  [00:45:57] Kim on storytelling and her unique experience [00:48:55] Eric asks Kim to “sing” out the show  [00:51:16] Closing Thoughts  🌟 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!

In this episode of ADHD reWired, Skye returns to the show!  Skye is an ADHD coach and founder of Unconventional Organization, an international ADHD support service that provides research-backed support to adults with ADHD.  She also has years of experience working in adult education and has studied psychology, sociology, and public health.  Skye was diagnosed with ADHD as a doctoral candidate before making the decision to leave her candidature to work full time on Unconventional Organization.   Find more from Skye: Check out Unconventional Organization at unconventionalorganization.com The ADHD Skills Lab Podcast at unconventionalorganisation.com/theadhdskillslab   In this episode, you’ll hear tips and discussions about: Life updates from Skye with a new addition to the family Accepting when routines need to be altered when life circumstances change Dividing different todos, transitions, and location-basing your tasks  Adjustments, reinforcements, and externalizing routines  Interruptions, picking a task back up post-interruption, and external support Routines to preserve executive functions, transitioning, mental shifting, and adjusting Movement and dopamine to support working memory Dialing down stimulation rather than shutting it off Troubleshooting and problem solving in the moment when an unexpected interruption pops up  Resetting, freezing, and externalized dysregulation vs. internalized emotional dysregulation “I have NO routines at all–where do I start?”  How important is knowing how long each part of a routine takes?  The difficulty of remembering routines and excited vs. working memory Remembering organically vs. being reminded and creating cues Googly eyes? Why not!  AI and smart tools for helping with routines “ADHD is not a skill deficit.” …and more!  Resources & Honorable Mentions  ADHD reWired Episode 449 :: Getting Tasks Done with Skye   Tool: reMarkable at reMarkable.com Check out The ADHD Creatives Podcast with ADHD reWired Coach Kristin Marts! theadhdcreativespodcast.com  🌟 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 how to join our award-winning online coaching and accountability groups!  

In today’s episode, Eric is joined by Edward Savio!  Edward is a dad, has ADHD, wrote a musical, and grew up in Connecticut; after Howard University, Edward moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting, where he became a 10-year overnight success!  Savio’s first novel, Idiots in the Machine, was picked up by Sony Pictures from the academy award-winning producers of Forest Gump. After more deals with Sony, Disney, and others, Edward shifted his focus  writing novels so he could spend more time with his family.  He wrote his first three novels in the home overlooking San Francisco Bay, where Danielle Steel wrote her first two breakout novels.  He also once nearly drove Val Kilmer off a cliff!   Learn more about Edward at his website: EdwardSavio.com 🌟 Go to adhdrewired.com/Patreon where you can get an uninterrupted listening experience of this show!  You’ll also catch the full content of today’s episode and Eric and Edward’s extended discussion when you become a Patron at $5 a month or more!  You can even join Eric every 4th Tuesday of the month for a Patron-only monthly coaching call at $25 a month!  Questions/Topics:  [00:01:32] Introducing Edward Mentioned here: Book – Idiots in the Machine   [00:02:50] How Edward became successful and a writer and managing ADHD  [00:04:45] Routine, resistance, novelty, and plateauing [00:06:03] How to revisit a project that’s been put away for a while  [00:09:10] Misunderstandings in writing and why inflection matters [00:10:50] Struggles with transitions  [00:14:09] Getting help and taking action  [00:15:04] Edward shares some of his writing process and mitigating distractions  [00:21:23] Systems, built-in overhead, and a question about calendars  [00:25:37] Planning for and putting fun stuff on your calendar, and guilt when not engaging with goal-directed behavior  [00:29:04] “Do you know how many people said they wished they worked more?” and a creative person’s struggle  [00:31:04] “I want to make sure […] my writing does not overtake my ability to interact with people.” – Edward  [00:33:00] Goals, good ideas, and basketball in the office  [00:37:43] Tips for when your brain is faster than you can write and organizing thoughts  [00:41:51] When you don’t want to write, do this.  [00:42:52] What else has Edward been up to?  Mentioned here: Book – The Velvet Sledgehammer [00:47:11] Closing thoughts & where to find more from Edward  Resources & Honorable Mentions: ADHD reWired: Episode 497: Succeed in College with Hannah Choi Book: The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware 🌟 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!

This week, Eric is joined by Dr. Diana Mercado-Marmarosh, also known as Dr. D, a family-medicine physician, clinic medical director, and chief medical officer.  Dr. D is also the founder of OverAchieve Life Coaching.  Prior to discovering coaching, Diana typically had 200 charts open and a “graveyard” of unfinished projects.   Now, she’s on a mission to empower healthcare professionals to create simple systems that support their zone-of-genius and reclaim their freedom of time as her clients learn to leave work at work.  She is happily married with two children and enjoys travel, painting, Zumba, yoga nidra meditation, and exploring different cultures!  In this episode, you’ll hear Eric and Dr. Diana talk about her struggles through medical school, the pressures she experienced, and what led to her ADHD diagnosis.  Then, you’ll hear discussions on the importance of self-care, how we can advocate for ourselves and how we communicate, and putting ourselves first.   Find more from Dr. Diana Mercado-Marmarosh at   Other Questions/Topics Answered in this Episode: [00:03:59] “You need to stop putting your clients and patients first!”  What does Dr. Diana mean?  [00:05:14]  Dr. Diana talks about living in self-neglect. [00:09:00]  Eric and Dr. Diana discuss the statistics of life-expectancy for those of us with ADHD.  [00:10:08]  Dr. Diana shares her ADHD story.  [00:11:59]  How did Dr. Diana get through medical school before her ADHD diagnosis?  [00:14:37]  Dr. Diana shares the catalyst that led to her diagnosis and how her cultural background and upbringing implanted the ideas to “just work hard” and “do whatever it takes.”  [00:22:16]  Dr. Diana shares more about the pressure of being the first person in her family to pursue further education.  [00:23.29]  How does Dr. Diana set up her environment for the most success?  What has coaching taught her?  [00:26.19]  How does Dr. Diana communicate with her patients?  [00:28:12]  Eric and Dr. Diana discuss their thoughts about ADHD as a gift.  [00:31:50]  Eric and Dr. Diana talk about boundaries and how she has conversations around her own boundaries.   [00:35:36]  “Boundaries from a place of love and a place of compassion.”  [00:39:35] “How do we leave work at work?” [00:45:12] What does Dr. Diana recommend patients say to their doctors if they encounter a physician that doesn’t believe in ADHD, believes that ADHD is something that is ‘grown-out-of’, etc.?  [00:48:31] Dr. Diana shares her definition of success and shares some words of wisdom for listeners. Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens  

In this episode, Eric is joined by Alumni member Laura Kane. Laura is a transplant from Boston living with her rescue dog in Delray Beach, Florida. Just prior to the pandemic, Laura discovered a love of nature photography and is incredibly grateful for this gift. Most days, she can be found taking pictures of birds, alligators, and other assorted wildlife. Her top bucket-list item is to go on a safari. Creating structure and sticking with it is a constant struggle for her, but she refuses to give up!  Listen in as Eric and Laura work together to build her daily structure, the why behind the desire to create the structure, and how uncomfortable it can be to accept praise when sharing our joy. You’ll also hear about the significance and impact of accountability, how Laura’s passion gives her purpose, the anxiety of implementation and commitment, and understanding how the all-or-nothing mindset can actually get in the way.  Laura’s Instagram: Where does the narrative of comparing oneself to others, not feeling good enough, stems from? How can you cue the “why” behind the routine?  How easy is it to create back-up plans ahead of time versus in-the-moment? How is exercise helpful? What about online exercise classes? What barriers can get in the way of building habits/derailing our habits? How do you strengthen accountability?  What’s the story behind “having” to ask for help?  What’s the story behind believing we have to do things by ourselves?  How do we get our goals met? How do we structure our day when we’re the only ones depending on the structure?  How has the pandemic affected building habits and routines? Resources & Honorable Mentions: