When Your Brain Is “Too Much”: ADHD, Chronic Illness, Shame, and Learning to Trust Yourself

ADHD, Big Ideas, and Learning to Say No Without Burning Out

For many women with ADHD or executive function challenges, life is full of big ideas, constant motion, and relentless pressure to do it all—until burnout hits. In this episode, Heather Cleverly shares what it’s been like navigating entrepreneurship, motherhood, leadership, and a possible late ADHD diagnosis while learning how to simplify instead of constantly pushing harder. From running multiple businesses to renovating a home, parenting a child with ADHD, and leading a community of women entrepreneurs, Heather reflects on what happens when high-functioning turns into overwhelm—and why saying no can actually open the door to deeper focus, creativity, and growth. We talk about: * Suspecting ADHD later in life through your child’s diagnosis * High-functioning women and missed diagnoses * Big ideas, hyperfocus, and burnout cycles * Shame and guilt around inconsistency and follow-through * Why “doing all the things” stops working * The power of transparency with teams and collaborators * Delegation, scaling, and letting go of control in business * Why saying no creates better yeses * Simplifying to reduce overwhelm and increase impact * ADHD as a creative and strategic advantage Heather also shares how building the Magnolia Collective and scaling Magnolia Black helped her see that success doesn’t come from doing everything—it comes from focusing on the right things and building support around you. This episode is for women entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives who feel overwhelmed by their own ambition and are ready to trade burnout for clarity. You don’t need fewer ideas. You need fewer plates. Follow Heather on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themagnoliablack/] and Facebook Learn more about the Magnolia Collective [https://www.themagnoliacollective.org] or Magnolia Black [https://www.themagnoliablack.com] Mentioned in this episode: "How to Beat the ADHD Slump [https://medium.com/@fitology/how-to-beat-the-adhd-slump-aef172c3baae]" Your Lab Kit: 1. Big ideas, fewer plates: minimize to optimize. 2. Transparency prevents shame. 3. "No" is an open door. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ADHD Alchemy Podcast is where bright, sensitive women finally stop masking and start thriving—with clarity, confidence, and shameless potential. We’re sharing real stories that help us turn friction into flow, liability into leverage, and resistance into rhythm. If your brain feels like a thousand tabs are open and five radio stations are playing at once, you’re in the right place! I’m Jessica Covington and I’ve always had a slightly different way of doing things, including ADHD. In my work, we leverage the body-mind connection to harness the beautiful potential you’ve always known is there but haven’t been able to use. My guests and I are here to help you quiet the shame, trust yourself again, and create a life that feels calm, focused, and fully yours. These are the stories of women like us: the ones who think differently; who’ve tried every damn system, planner, and app but nothing sticks; who’ve spent years and all their energy trying to seem "normal"; and who are finally ready to see ADHD without shame, guilt, or apology. Stick with us here to remember you are NOT a failure, you’re not alone in the chaos, and you are certainly not deficient or disordered. Apply to be a guest and share your own story here. [https://myadhdalchemy.com] Learn more at fit-ology.com. [https://fit-ology.com] Join the conversation [https://www.fit-ology.com/adhd-strength-hub] – it’s in our own little space away from algorithms, and it’s free! Co-work with us in Focus Labs [https://fitology.setmore.com/classes/20e223cd-2545-4f33-b3e6-30b22b25d923] – Tuesdays at 1pm eastern. Free and open to any Fancy Brain (but we need your registration to attend). Grab your copy of “Distracted to Done” [https://www.fit-ology.com/distracted-to-done-by-jessica-fields-covington] Help yourself to the “Move Your Body - Move Your Mind Map” [https://www.fit-ology.com/move-your-body-move-your-mind-map] Learn more about ADHD Alchemy Coaching [https://www.fit-ology.com/alchemymain] (private and group pathways are open now) On the socials (sporadically!): Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/fitologyADHDcoach ] Fancy Brains Facebook Group [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/fancybrains/] Jessica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacovington/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fitology_adhd/] Blog on Medium [https://medium.com/@fitology] Music credit goes to my son, TAZZFANTO, who composed and produced this song just for us. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes; always check with your healthcare provider before making changes to diet, exercise and mental health care. This episode may contain affiliate links and mentions; we are grateful for your support.

Living With ADHD Later in Life: Work, Overstimulation, and Finding What Actually Works

Being diagnosed with ADHD later in life often means spending years believing you were “defective,” lazy, or not trying hard enough—before realizing your brain was simply wired differently. In this episode, Lori Cobbs shares what it’s been like living with ADHD for over two decades, navigating work, motherhood, overstimulation, and burnout while slowly building a toolbox that actually supports her brain. We talk about: * Late ADHD diagnosis and the grief of “what could’ve been” * Hyperfocus, distraction, and performance pressure at work * ADHD in job interviews and professional settings * Learning your peak energy times and working with them * Sensory overload, overstimulation, and how to regulate in the moment * Why clutter is kryptonite for ADHD brains * Systems that reduce shame (online banking, automation, simplification) * Starting from strengths instead of self-criticism * Community, curiosity, and creating positive change This conversation is for women diagnosed with ADHD later in life, professionals navigating ADHD at work, and anyone learning how to reduce overwhelm while honoring how their brain actually functions. You can email Lori here. [loricobbs@gmail.com] Your ADHD Alchemy Lab Kit™: 1. Time your energy peak. 2. Interrupt the spiral with sensory input. 3. Reduce one friction point. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ADHD Alchemy Podcast is where bright, sensitive women finally stop masking and start thriving—with clarity, confidence, and shameless potential. We’re sharing real stories that help us turn friction into flow, liability into leverage, and resistance into rhythm. If your brain feels like a thousand tabs are open and five radio stations are playing at once, you’re in the right place! I’m Jessica Covington and I’ve always had a slightly different way of doing things, including ADHD. In my work, we leverage the body-mind connection to harness the beautiful potential you’ve always known is there but haven’t been able to use. My guests and I are here to help you quiet the shame, trust yourself again, and create a life that feels calm, focused, and fully yours. These are the stories of women like us: the ones who think differently; who’ve tried every damn system, planner, and app but nothing sticks; who’ve spent years and all their energy trying to seem "normal"; and who are finally ready to see ADHD without shame, guilt, or apology. Stick with us here to remember you are NOT a failure, you’re not alone in the chaos, and you are certainly not deficient or disordered. Apply to be a guest and share your own story here. [https://myadhdalchemy.com] Learn more at fit-ology.com. [https://fit-ology.com] Join the conversation [https://www.fit-ology.com/adhd-strength-hub] – it’s in our own little space away from algorithms, and it’s free! Co-work with us in Focus Labs [https://fitology.setmore.com/classes/20e223cd-2545-4f33-b3e6-30b22b25d923] – Tuesdays at 1pm eastern. Free and open to any Fancy Brain (but we need your registration to attend). Grab your copy of “Distracted to Done” [https://www.fit-ology.com/distracted-to-done-by-jessica-fields-covington] Help yourself to the “Move Your Body - Move Your Mind Map” [https://www.fit-ology.com/move-your-body-move-your-mind-map] Learn more about ADHD Alchemy Coaching [https://www.fit-ology.com/alchemymain] (private and group pathways are open now) On the socials (sporadically!): Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/fitologyADHDcoach ] Fancy Brains Facebook Group [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/fancybrains/] Jessica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacovington/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fitology_adhd/] Blog on Medium [https://medium.com/@fitology] Music credit goes to my son, TAZZFANTO, who composed and produced this song just for us. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes; always check with your healthcare provider before making changes to diet, exercise and mental health care. This episode may contain affiliate links and mentions; we are grateful for your support.

Why Generic Advice Fails Neurodivergent Brains (and What Actually Helps Instead)

If you’ve ever followed well-meaning advice and still felt stuck, broken, or misunderstood — this episode is for you. In this conversation with writer Jeanette Smith, we unpack why most advice is built for the “average” brain, and why that model breaks down for neurodivergent thinkers. We explore how ADHD, bipolar disorder, and other overlapping diagnoses can complicate communication — especially in writing, work, and relationships — and how easily intent gets misread when people don’t understand how your mind works. One of the central ideas in this episode is the critical difference between advice and feedback. Advice is generic and impersonal. Feedback is responsive, specific, and rooted in you. That distinction alone can change how you ask for help, how you collaborate, and how you stop internalizing shame when something doesn’t work. We also talk about masking, hyperfocus, determination, creativity, and the permission to follow whimsy — not as a distraction, but as a source of clarity and strength. This episode is about learning to advocate for your brain, stop forcing yourself into systems that don’t fit, and start asking for the kind of support that actually works. Connect with Jeanette: Website [https://www.jeanettethewriter.com/ ] LinkedI [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-writer-dallas/ ]n Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modern_mer/] Your Lab Kit: 1. The Advice Audit 2. Ask for feedback, not fixes. 3. Build a "brain disclaimer". ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ADHD Alchemy Podcast is where bright, sensitive women finally stop masking and start thriving—with clarity, confidence, and shameless potential. We’re sharing real stories that help us turn friction into flow, liability into leverage, and resistance into rhythm. If your brain feels like a thousand tabs are open and five radio stations are playing at once, you’re in the right place! I’m Jessica Covington and I’ve always had a slightly different way of doing things, including ADHD. In my work, we leverage the body-mind connection to harness the beautiful potential you’ve always known is there but haven’t been able to use. My guests and I are here to help you quiet the shame, trust yourself again, and create a life that feels calm, focused, and fully yours. These are the stories of women like us: the ones who think differently; who’ve tried every damn system, planner, and app but nothing sticks; who’ve spent years and all their energy trying to seem "normal"; and who are finally ready to see ADHD without shame, guilt, or apology. Stick with us here to remember you are NOT a failure, you’re not alone in the chaos, and you are certainly not deficient or disordered. Apply to be a guest and share your own story here. [https://myadhdalchemy.com] Learn more at fit-ology.com. [https://fit-ology.com] Join the conversation [https://www.fit-ology.com/adhd-strength-hub] – it’s in our own little space away from algorithms, and it’s free! Co-work with us in Focus Labs [https://fitology.setmore.com/classes/20e223cd-2545-4f33-b3e6-30b22b25d923] – Tuesdays at 1pm eastern. Free and open to any Fancy Brain (but we need your registration to attend). Grab your copy of “Distracted to Done” [https://www.fit-ology.com/distracted-to-done-by-jessica-fields-covington] Help yourself to the “Move Your Body - Move Your Mind Map” [https://www.fit-ology.com/move-your-body-move-your-mind-map] Learn more about ADHD Alchemy Coaching [https://www.fit-ology.com/alchemymain] (private and group pathways are open now) On the socials (sporadically!): Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/fitologyADHDcoach ] Fancy Brains Facebook Group [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/fancybrains/] Jessica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacovington/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fitology_adhd/] Blog on Medium [https://medium.com/@fitology] Music credit goes to my son, TAZZFANTO, who composed and produced this song just for us. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes; always check with your healthcare provider before making changes to diet, exercise and mental health care. This episode may contain affiliate links and mentions; we are grateful for your support.

Late ADHD Diagnosis in High-Achieving Women: From Shame and Misdiagnosis to Self-Trust

What if the very traits that made you successful are the same ones that kept your ADHD hidden for decades? In this candid and deeply affirming conversation, we unpack what late ADHD diagnosis looks like for high-achieving women — especially those who were the “good girl,” the capable one, the leader, the stoic, the high performer. We talk about: * Growing up undiagnosed and shrinking to fit * Being labeled anxious or depressed instead of properly assessed for ADHD * The crushing moment of being told, “You wouldn’t have gotten this far if you had ADHD” * Losing systems in your 30s and 40s and wondering what went wrong * Grief, burnout, and the midlife “performance cliff” * The difference between being a quitter and being a builder * Why asking for help feels so hard (and how to start small) * ADHD in girls and the importance of early awareness * Moving from people-pleasing to self-preservation * Reframing ADHD as a difference and an explanation — not a disorder or excuse We also explore the unique strengths of entrepreneurial ADHD brains — the starters, the visionaries, the catalysts — and how collaboration with sustainers can transform shame into strategy. If you’ve ever felt like you held everything together until you couldn’t anymore… If you’ve ever been dismissed because you were “too successful” to struggle… If you’re navigating midlife, loss, identity shifts, or self-advocacy… This episode will remind you: You are not behind. You are not broken. And you are not alone. Follow Tina on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/katrinaticklesdinkel ] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tinaticklesdinkel/] Your Lab Kit 1. Rewrite the "quitter" story. 2. Ask for one small thing. 3. Follow the undercurrent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ADHD Alchemy Podcast is where bright, sensitive women finally stop masking and start thriving—with clarity, confidence, and shameless potential. We’re sharing real stories that help us turn friction into flow, liability into leverage, and resistance into rhythm. If your brain feels like a thousand tabs are open and five radio stations are playing at once, you’re in the right place! I’m Jessica Covington and I’ve always had a slightly different way of doing things, including ADHD. In my work, we leverage the body-mind connection to harness the beautiful potential you’ve always known is there but haven’t been able to use. My guests and I are here to help you quiet the shame, trust yourself again, and create a life that feels calm, focused, and fully yours. These are the stories of women like us: the ones who think differently; who’ve tried every damn system, planner, and app but nothing sticks; who’ve spent years and all their energy trying to seem "normal"; and who are finally ready to see ADHD without shame, guilt, or apology. Stick with us here to remember you are NOT a failure, you’re not alone in the chaos, and you are certainly not deficient or disordered. Apply to be a guest and share your own story here. [https://myadhdalchemy.com] Learn more at fit-ology.com. [https://fit-ology.com] Join the conversation [https://www.fit-ology.com/adhd-strength-hub] – it’s in our own little space away from algorithms, and it’s free! Co-work with us in Focus Labs [https://fitology.setmore.com/classes/20e223cd-2545-4f33-b3e6-30b22b25d923] – Tuesdays at 1pm eastern. Free and open to any Fancy Brain (but we need your registration to attend). Grab your copy of “Distracted to Done” [https://www.fit-ology.com/distracted-to-done-by-jessica-fields-covington] Help yourself to the “Move Your Body - Move Your Mind Map” [https://www.fit-ology.com/move-your-body-move-your-mind-map] Learn more about ADHD Alchemy Coaching [https://www.fit-ology.com/alchemymain] (private and group pathways are open now) On the socials (sporadically!): Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/fitologyADHDcoach ] Fancy Brains Facebook Group [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/fancybrains/] Jessica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacovington/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fitology_adhd/] Blog on Medium [https://medium.com/@fitology] Music credit goes to my son, TAZZFANTO, who composed and produced this song just for us. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes; always check with your healthcare provider before making changes to diet, exercise and mental health care. This episode may contain affiliate links and mentions; we are grateful for your support.

When Your Brain Is “Too Much”: ADHD, Chronic Illness, Shame, and Learning to Trust Yourself

What happens when a “fancy brain” collides with chronic illness, medical trauma, and a world that keeps demanding simplicity from someone inherently complex? In this deeply human conversation, I sit down with attorney-turned-disability advocate Alisa Aczel to talk about late-diagnosed neurodivergence, shame, chronic conditions, intuition, and the emotional exhaustion of trying to explain a life that doesn’t fit neatly into anyone else’s boxes. Alisa shares what it was like growing up believing she was “too much,” navigating ADHD alongside complex medical conditions including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and learning — slowly and imperfectly — to trust herself again after years of being dismissed by systems that were never designed for complexity. We also explore: * Why neurodivergent women often internalize shame long before diagnosis * The overlap between ADHD, chronic illness, trauma, and medical gaslighting * The hidden grief of untapped potential * Why simplifying complex people can become its own form of harm * How travel creates movement, perspective, connection, and vitality for neurodivergent brains * The tension between uncertainty and trust * What it means to stop forcing yourself into someone else’s version of “normal” This episode is honest, layered, funny, painful, hopeful, and deeply validating for anyone who has ever felt like they were simultaneously “too much” and not enough. And woven throughout the conversation is a reminder I think many women desperately need to hear: You are not failing because you are complex. You may simply need systems, support, and environments that actually honor how your brain and body work. If today’s episode resonates, download the free Decision Filter tool mentioned in the intro. It’s designed to help overwhelmed ADHD brains figure out what actually matters right now — without spiraling, overthinking, or trying to do everything at once. Your Decision Filter is here. [https://www.fit-ology.com/decision-filters] Your Lab Kit: 1. Run your Decision Filter before spiraling. 2. Practice somatic interruptions during overwhelm. 3. Find support items for tough days. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ADHD Alchemy Podcast is where bright, sensitive women finally stop masking and start thriving—with clarity, confidence, and shameless potential. We’re sharing real stories that help us turn friction into flow, liability into leverage, and resistance into rhythm. If your brain feels like a thousand tabs are open and five radio stations are playing at once, you’re in the right place! I’m Jessica Covington and I’ve always had a slightly different way of doing things, including ADHD. In my work, we leverage the body-mind connection to harness the beautiful potential you’ve always known is there but haven’t been able to use. My guests and I are here to help you quiet the shame, trust yourself again, and create a life that feels calm, focused, and fully yours. These are the stories of women like us: the ones who think differently; who’ve tried every damn system, planner, and app but nothing sticks; who’ve spent years and all their energy trying to seem "normal"; and who are finally ready to see ADHD without shame, guilt, or apology. Stick with us here to remember you are NOT a failure, you’re not alone in the chaos, and you are certainly not deficient or disordered. Apply to be a guest and share your own story here. [https://myadhdalchemy.com] Learn more at fit-ology.com. [https://fit-ology.com] Join the conversation [https://www.fit-ology.com/adhd-strength-hub] – it’s in our own little space away from algorithms, and it’s free! Co-work with us in Focus Labs [https://fitology.setmore.com/classes/20e223cd-2545-4f33-b3e6-30b22b25d923] – Tuesdays at 1pm eastern. Free and open to any Fancy Brain (but we need your registration to attend). Grab your copy of “Distracted to Done” [https://www.fit-ology.com/distracted-to-done-by-jessica-fields-covington] Help yourself to the “Move Your Body - Move Your Mind Map” [https://www.fit-ology.com/move-your-body-move-your-mind-map] Learn more about ADHD Alchemy Coaching [https://www.fit-ology.com/alchemymain] (private and group pathways are open now) On the socials (sporadically!): Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/fitologyADHDcoach ] Fancy Brains Facebook Group [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/fancybrains/] Jessica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacovington/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fitology_adhd/] Blog on Medium [https://medium.com/@fitology] Music credit goes to my son, TAZZFANTO, who composed and produced this song just for us. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes; always check with your healthcare provider before making changes to diet, exercise and mental health care. This episode may contain affiliate links and mentions; we are grateful for your support.