Are you exhausted from negotiating with yourself all day long—about getting out of bed, doing the task, starting the project, or eating the thing? Do you wish motivation felt less like pressure and more like support? In this solo episode, Coach Mande shares one simple question that transforms how ADHD brains navigate daily motivation: "What would make me most proud in this moment?"

In this episode, we discuss:

• The one question that reduces friction and makes hard tasks suddenly feel doable
• Why "just do it" doesn't work for ADHD brains (and what works instead)
• How to stop the exhausting mental tug-of-war that happens before every task
• The surprising truth: sometimes the answer to the question is REST (and why that's completely valid)
• How this practice invites you into alignment with who you want to be—moment by moment—without shame or pressure
• Why this question helps you move from constant self-negotiation to clarity and action
• Practical ways to remember the practice (using emotions as cues, making it visible, building it into your day)
• How small, consistent choices stack up over time to create real momentum
• Why you don't have to do this perfectly or every day—and why that's the entire point

Mande shares how she stumbled onto this question while working with a client, why it works so well for ADHD brains, and the cumulative effect it's had on her own life. She also unpacks the important nuance: this isn't about productivity. It's about honesty, self-trust, and making choices that gently move you toward who you want to be. Sometimes that's action. Sometimes that's rest. Both count.

Key Takeaway: Motivation doesn't have to feel harsh. This one question creates space for compassionate self-coaching that actually works—without adding another "should" to your list. When you ask yourself what would make you most proud in this moment, you're practicing honesty, building self-trust, and making choices that align with your values.

Resources Mentioned:

• FREE downloadable guide: Reflective questions + printable at learntothrivewithadhd.com/proud
• Instagram post to save and share: @learntothrivewithadhd
• Weekly ADHD Newsletter: learntothrivewithadhd.com/weekly

Ready to lower friction and make ADHD easier? Book a free coaching consultation with Coach Mande at learntothrivewithadhd.com/services

#ADHD #ADHDPodcast #ADHDMotivation #ADHDCoaching #SelfCompassion #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #LearnToThrive #ADHDSupport #Neurodiversity

Click here for full show notes

Send us a text

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

Are you struggling with emotional reactions that surprise even you? Do certain people or situations consistently set you off, and you wish they didn't? In this solo episode, Coach Mande dives deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of ADHD success: emotional maturity - and why it's a set of learnable skills that can transform your life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What emotional maturity actually is (and why it's NOT about being calm all the time or never reacting)
• The surprising research on ADHD and emotional development delays—and why you're not behind, you're just on a different timeline
• How to recognize the difference between "emotional childhood" (reacting from old patterns) and "emotional adulthood" (responding with intention)
• Why your parenting struggles might actually be about YOUR emotional maturity, not your child's behavior
• The truth about growing up with emotional chaos—and how to break the cycle without blame
• The E.A.S.Y. Framework for building emotional maturity with ADHD:
  • Evaluate: Understanding yourself without judgment
  • Awareness: Noticing thoughts, feelings, and patterns so you can respond instead of react
  • Systems & Skills: Supporting yourself with practical tools and emotional regulation strategies
  • You Show Up: Taking imperfect action and building maturity through consistency, not perfection
• How building emotional maturity reduces avoidance, rejection sensitivity, spiraling, and people-pleasing—while increasing self-trust and intentional living

Mande shares personal moments where she's shown great emotional maturity and moments where she definitely hasn't—and why that's completely normal for ADHD brains. She also unpacks groundbreaking research from Frontiers in Human Neuroscience showing that children with ADHD consistently perform emotionally like peers 1-3 years younger, and what that means for adults navigating relationships, parenting, and personal growth.

Key Takeaway: You're not broken. You're not behind. You're learning skills most people were never taught. Emotional maturity grows when you make small choices that support your future self—and you can step into emotional adulthood at any age.

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Russell Barkley's research on ADHD emotional delays
• Study from Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (500+ children with ADHD)
• Episode 110: Full E.A.S.Y. Framework deep dive
• Weekly ADHD Newsletter: learntothrivewithadhd.com/weekly

Ready to build emotional maturity and make ADHD easier? Book a free coaching consultation with Coach Mande at learntothrivewithadhd.com/services

#ADHD #ADHDPodcast #EmotionalMaturity #ADHDCoaching #EmotionalRegulation #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #LearnToThrive #ADHDSupport #Neurodiversity

Click here for full show notes

Send us a text

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

Are you stuck believing that ADHD is a limitation rather than a superpower? John A. Brink, an 85-year-old entrepreneur, author, and competitive bodybuilder, joins us to share how discovering ADHD at 57 completely transformed his understanding of himself - and his life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How undiagnosed ADHD became the hidden ingredient to business success (and why 75% of highly successful entrepreneurs may have ADHD)
• The pivotal discovery of Dr. Hallowell's work in 1997 and why knowing who you are changes everything
• Why failing grade 7 three times was actually a gift—and how to reframe academic struggles as interest problems, not intelligence problems
• The transformative power of Toastmasters in overcoming communication anxiety and building confidence
• How to manage multiple business ventures and interests without feeling scattered (the secret is systems and structures)
• The critical connection between health, fitness, and mental stimulation for thriving at any age
• Why authenticity in content creation attracts a global community of 2-2.5 million viewers

John shares his remarkable story of arriving in Canada with just $25.47 and no job, building a lumber empire from the ground up, and discovering at 62 that he had ADHD all along. We dive deep into how his ADHD brain actually enabled his entrepreneurial risk-taking, his ability to juggle multiple business "silos," and his passion for continuous learning and growth. John also reveals how he became North America's oldest competitive bodybuilder and why he'll never retire.

About Our Guest: John A. Brink is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and media personality who has built multiple successful businesses including Canada's largest secondary lumber manufacturer. Diagnosed with ADHD at 62, John is passionate about removing stigma and helping others recognize ADHD as a superpower. He's published five books on business, ADHD, communication, and personal development, hosts his own podcast. At 85, John continues to compete in bodybuilding, speak at schools about WWII and resilience, and mentor the next generation of ADHD entrepreneurs.

Connect with John A. Brink:
Website: johnаbrink.com
On The Brink Podcast: Available on all major platforms
Books: Available on Amazon & Audible (Against All Odds, ADHD Unlocked, Finding Your Passion Living the Dream, Living Young Dying Old, Billion Dollar Communication Skills)

Key Takeaway: ADHD isn't something to overcome—it's a superpower to unlock. Your struggles in traditional settings don't define your potential; they're simply clues that you're wired for something bigger.


Ready to unlock YOUR ADHD superpower? Book a free coaching consultation with Coach Mande at Learn to Thrive with ADHD.com/services

#ADHD #ADHDPodcast #Neurodiversity #Entrepreneurship #ADHDSuperpowers #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #LearnToThrive #CoachingPodcast

Click here for full show notes

Send us a text

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!