Why Your ADHD Brain Crashes After Big Wins (And What to Do About It)

Visibility, Storytelling, and ADHD with Candice Smith, MEd

Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts June 2nd. In 6 weeks, you’ll build a system that works with your ADHD brain so you can focus on what matters, follow through consistently, and create calmer, more sustainable growth. If you’re ready to turn your brilliant chaos into momentum and freedom, apply now. Get all the details here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus [https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus] ------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] Podcast, host Steve August [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] talks with Candice Smith MEd [https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicecourtneysmith/], Founder of French Press Public Relations [https://www.linkedin.com/company/frenchpresspr/] and a Consulting Member at The Upside [https://www.linkedin.com/company/betheupside/]. Candice shares how she helps mission-driven founders build visibility, authority, and trust through storytelling and strategic communication. She also opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, living with PMDD, managing pregnancy while running a business, and the systems and support that help her stay focused and avoid burnout. Candice shares how her early experiences with feeling invisible led her to focus on storytelling, education, and helping founders share their message. She explains how working with mission-driven entrepreneurs shaped her approach to visibility, public relations, and authority building. She also talks about her late ADHD diagnosis, living with PMDD, and how systems, structure, medication, and support tools help her stay focused while running her business. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Visibility: Clear messaging and trust matter more than chasing big media features. * ADHD Challenges: Brain fog and focus changes can affect work and communication. * Support Systems: Structure, tools, and strong workflows help founders stay organised and focused. ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS: * Storytelling Matters: Clear and personal stories help founders build trust and connection. * Visibility Takes Strategy: Different channels work for different stages of business growth. * Support Makes a Difference: Systems, structure, and the right tools help founders stay focused and consistent. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “PR is really about connecting with the right people at the right time with the right story.” Candice Smith MEd * “Visibility is the combination of PR and marketing together as a system.” Candice Smith MEd * “AI amplifies what you give it.” Candice Smith MEd Join Candice Smith, MEd, as she shares how storytelling, visibility, and strong messaging help founders build trust and authority. She also discusses her experience with inattentive ADHD, PMDD, and the systems and support that help her stay focused while running a business. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [00:57] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [01:25] - Welcome: Candice Smith MEd [02:55] - Rejection sensitivity in PR: treating pitches as experiments [05:58] - Client example: pivoting from big media to podcasts → Ivy League success [08:06] - From feeling invisible as a child to founding an edtech company [11:45] - ADHD diagnosis at 30 (inattentive type) + PMDD’s impact on brain fog [16:33] - Childhood coping: drawing to listen (teacher called her out) [18:15] - Managing ADHD during pregnancy: medication, team systems, Otter.ai [http://otter.ai] [21:59] - VIS Dev framework: visibility ≠ traditional PR [27:17] - MORAY acronym: 5 channels for building trust & authority [29:35] - “Window and mirror” storytelling: they see you and themselves [31:07] - Where to find Candice FOLLOW THE GUEST ON: * Candice Smith MEd - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicecourtneysmith/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicecourtneysmith/] * French Press Public Relations - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frenchpresspr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/frenchpresspr/] * The Upside - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betheupside/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/betheupside/] Website: * French Press Public Relations: https://frenchpresspr.com/ [https://frenchpresspr.com/] FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] * Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ [https://steveaugustcoaching.com/] * Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com [steve@steveaugustcoaching.com] * X: https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en [https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ [https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/] FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator [https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035]

The Emotional Profit of Celebrating Wins

Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts June 2nd. In 6 weeks, you’ll build a system that works with your ADHD brain so you can focus on what matters, follow through consistently, and create calmer, more sustainable growth. If you’re ready to turn your brilliant chaos into momentum and freedom, apply now. Get all the details here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus ---------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/], Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] and Steve August Coaching [https://steveaugustcoaching.com], shares a solo episode on why ADHD entrepreneurs often forget their progress and minimise their wins. He explains how working memory challenges can make it hard to remember accomplishments, even after putting in consistent effort. Steve talks about the importance of reviewing past weeks and months, celebrating progress, and taking what he calls “emotional profit” from showing up and getting things done. This episode highlights how recognising small and big wins can help ADHD entrepreneurs stay motivated, build confidence, and keep moving forward in business and life. Steve shares why many ADHD entrepreneurs struggle to recognise their progress and often forget the wins they have achieved. He explains how working memory challenges can make accomplishments feel invisible, even after weeks of hard work and consistency. Steve talks about the value of reviewing past weeks or months, celebrating both small and large wins, and taking what he calls “emotional profit” from showing up and completing meaningful work. He also highlights how acknowledging progress can improve motivation, reduce discouragement, and help ADHD entrepreneurs build more confidence and steady momentum over time. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Celebrate Your Wins: ADHD brains can easily forget progress and accomplishments. * Review Your Progress: Looking back at past weeks or months helps you see how much you have done. * Take Emotional Profit: Acknowledging your effort and progress can improve motivation and build confidence. ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS: * ADHD brains can forget progress easily. * Reviewing past work helps reveal wins. * Celebrating progress builds motivation and confidence. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “We may have been working really hard, but we don’t remember what we did.” - Steve August * “Celebrating the wins is taking the emotional profit for showing up and doing what we needed to do.” - Steve August * “If we don’t take it, it gets really discouraging.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he explains why ADHD entrepreneurs often forget their progress and struggle to recognise their wins. Learn how working memory challenges can make accomplishments feel invisible, why reviewing past work helps reveal progress, and how taking “emotional profit” can improve motivation, confidence, and steady growth over time. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Introduction to Focus Formula & ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) [00:29] - Why ADHD brains forget their wins [03:46] - What "emotional profit" means [04:53] - Step 1: Review your calendar to uncover wins [05:47] - Step 2: Stop moving the goalposts, use "good, better, best" FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] * Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ [https://steveaugustcoaching.com/] * Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com [steve@steveaugustcoaching.com] * X: https://x.com/steveaugust [https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ [https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/] FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator [https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035]

Why Your ADHD Brain Crashes After Big Wins (And What to Do About It)

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/Why-Your-ADHD-BrainCr-ashes-After-Big-Wins-And-What-to-Do-About-It [https://bit.ly/Why-Your-ADHD-BrainCr-ashes-After-Big-Wins-And-What-to-Do-About-It] ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/], Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] and Steve August Coaching [https://steveaugustcoaching.com], shares a solo episode on why ADHD entrepreneurs often feel a crash after reaching a big milestone. He explains how hyperfocus, dopamine, and executive function work together during intense build periods and why motivation can suddenly drop once the work is finished. Steve talks about the importance of planning for recovery after major deadlines and avoiding burnout from extreme productivity cycles. This episode highlights how creating a steadier and more sustainable workflow can help ADHD entrepreneurs make consistent progress in business and life. Steve shares his experience of finishing a major update for the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator community and the mental dip that followed after reaching the milestone. He explains how ADHD brains use a lot of dopamine and executive function during intense work periods, which can lead to lower motivation once the goal is complete. Steve highlights the importance of expecting this recovery phase, adjusting workloads, and giving the brain time to restore. He also emphasizes creating a steadier workflow instead of relying on stressful deadline cycles. The focus is on understanding ADHD patterns, preventing burnout, and building sustainable progress over time. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Expect the Post Milestone Dip: Recovery after intense work is normal. * Protect Your Energy: Plan lighter workloads after major deadlines. * Build Steady Progress: Consistent work helps prevent burnout. ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS: * Big Milestones Use Mental Energy: ADHD brains can feel drained after intense focus periods. * Plan for Recovery Time: Lighter schedules after deadlines help restore energy and focus. * Steady Work Prevents Burnout: Smaller and more consistent progress is easier to sustain long-term. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “We’ve expended a lot of dopamine. We’ve used up a lot of executive function to get to this point.” - Steve August * “There’s going to be a dip after the milestone.” - Steve August * “The game with business and life is that steady progress over time.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he explains why ADHD entrepreneurs often feel a mental crash after reaching a big milestone. Learn how dopamine and executive function affect focus and motivation, why recovery time matters after intense work periods, and how steady progress can help prevent burnout and support long-term success. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - The Post-Milestone Crash [02:38] - Why ADHD Brains Don't Celebrate [04:22] - Schedule Less After a Win [05:15] - Prepare for the Recovery Side FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] * Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ [https://steveaugustcoaching.com/] * Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com [steve@steveaugustcoaching.com] * X: https://x.com/steveaugust [https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ [https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/] FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator [https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035]

The Shame-Free Way for ADHD Entrepreneurs to Delegate with Avy Schondorf

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/Avi-gailSchon-dorf [https://bit.ly/Avi-gailSchon-dorf] --------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] Podcast, host Steve August [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] talks with Avigail Schondorf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/avy-schondorf/], Founder and CEO at Alisto [https://www.linkedin.com/company/alistova/] and Show Host at AvyHD [https://www.linkedin.com/company/avyhd/]. Avigail shares how she built a team-based virtual assistant model to support neurodivergent founders, with a focus on delegation, systems, and executive function support. She also talks about her ADHD journey, the challenges of running a business, and how the right support can improve focus, reduce burnout, and help entrepreneurs grow. Avigail Schondorf shares how moving to the United States during COVID led her to rethink her career and build her own business. She explains how working with virtual assistants revealed gaps in systems, communication, and delegation for founders. She also talks about her ADHD journey, how it shaped the way she builds teams, and why structured support, clear communication, and human connection are key to staying focused and getting work done. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Delegation Gaps: Founders struggle to manage tasks and extract clear information. * ADHD Challenges: Executive function makes planning, follow-through, and organisation harder. * Practical Support: Clear systems, strong communication, and team-based support improve focus and execution. ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS: * Team Approach Matters: Working with a team of assistants helps manage multiple tasks at once. * Clear Communication Helps: Focused and direct messages improve clarity and execution. * Human Support Counts: Ongoing guidance and accountability help founders stay on track and follow through. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “Clarity is kindness. Do not say yes unless you know how you will deliver.” Avigail Schondorf * “I solve your problem by mapping what you have and what you do not have.” Avigail Schondorf * “Your problem is not tools. It is extracting the right information.” Avigail Schondorf Join Avigail Schondorf as she shares how moving to the United States during COVID led her to build Alisto, a virtual assistant company designed for neurodivergent founders. She explains how working with teams revealed challenges with delegation and communication, and how clear systems, structured support, and strong human connection can improve focus, reduce overwhelm, and help business owners follow through more consistently. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:03] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [01:31] - Meet Avi Schondorf: social worker turned entrepreneur [02:53] - Moving from Israel to the US with no work permit [04:13] - Managing Filipino VAs during COVID’s chaos [06:37] - How ADHD showed up (kids, self-diagnosis, reparenting) [09:22] - Why she built Alisto: the agency she needed [13:26] - Executive assistants as support for your executive function [16:44] - Three pillars: communication, decision support, operations [20:02] - What to look for in a great assistant (neurotypical + smart) [22:59] - Building systems and handing them off (shame-free) [27:41] - Where to find Avi & closing thoughts FOLLOW THE GUEST ON: * Avigail Schondorf - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avy-schondorf/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/avy-schondorf/] * Alisto - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alistova/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/alistova/] * AvyHD - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avyhd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/avyhd/] * AvyHD - YT Profile: https://www.youtube.com/@avy-hd [https://www.youtube.com/@avy-hd] Website: * Alisto: https://alistova.com/ [https://alistova.com/] FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] * Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ [https://steveaugustcoaching.com/] * Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com [steve@steveaugustcoaching.com] * X: https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en [https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ [https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/] FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator [https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035]

Build Mode vs. Sell Mode: The ADHD Cave Problem

ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/build-modevs-se-ll-mode-the-adhd-cave-problem [https://bit.ly/build-modevs-se-ll-mode-the-adhd-cave-problem] ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/], Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] and Steve August Coaching [https://steveaugustcoaching.com], shares a solo episode on the challenge of balancing build mode and sell mode as an ADHD entrepreneur. He explains how getting deep into creation can lead to going quiet on marketing and outreach. Steve talks about all-or-nothing thinking, how it affects consistency, and why it is important to challenge that mindset. He introduces a simple, good, better, best approach to stay visible while building. This episode highlights the importance of setting timeframes, doing minimal actions, and working with your brain to stay consistent. Steve shares a personal experience of being deep in build mode while working on his program and how it affected his ability to stay consistent with marketing and outreach. He explains that ADHD can lead to all-or-nothing thinking, which makes it harder to balance creating and selling at the same time. Steve highlights the importance of questioning these thoughts, adjusting expectations, and focusing on small, consistent actions. He also emphasizes setting clear timeframes and doing minimal outreach to stay visible. The focus is on self-awareness, simple systems, and maintaining progress while building. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Balance Build and Sell: Stay visible with simple actions. * Challenge All or Nothing Thinking: Progress still counts. * Take Small Actions: Focus on good enough output. ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS: * Build Mode Pulls Focus: Deep creation can reduce time spent on marketing and outreach. * Set Clear Limits: Having a timeframe helps you avoid staying in cave mode too long. * Minimum Effort Matters: Small actions keep you visible even during busy build phases. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “It’s really easy for ADHD brains to go into a little bit of their cave and just create.” - Steve August * “Anything that’s put out there is by default good.” - Steve August * “Give yourself a timeframe for when you’re going to come out.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he shares how being deep in build mode affected his focus on marketing and outreach as an ADHD entrepreneur. Learn how to stay visible with simple actions, challenge all-or-nothing thinking, and set clear timeframes while building. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Hide in "Cave Mode" [01:47] - The Danger of Going Dark on Marketing & Selling [02:36] - Stop All-or-Nothing Thinking (You're Doing More Than You Think) [04:00] - Use "Good, Better, Best" Instead of Chasing Perfection [05:30] - Give Yourself a Deadline & a Minimum to Stay Visible FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/] * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/] * August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/] * Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ [https://steveaugustcoaching.com/] * Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com [steve@steveaugustcoaching.com] * X: https://x.com/steveaugust [https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ [https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/] FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator [https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035]