63: Neurodivergent Health: Your Environment Matters More Than You Think

63: Neurodivergent Health: Your Environment Matters More Than You Think

This episode completely validates the bidirectional relationship between our bodies, our environments, and the stories we tell ourselves about what we can or cannot do. We got into how our external climate can completely change someone's experience of disability, chronic pain, and neurodivergent health. And honestly, I am still wondering if many of us are trying to fix ourselves instead of asking whether our surroundings actually support us. We talk about adult neurodivergence, chronic pain, and identity reconstruction, especially for neurodivergent adults trying to build a life that works with their nervous system instead of constantly fighting it. Curious what else is inside: * Why your environment can have a profound impact on chronic pain, energy, and neurodivergent emotional health * How Mikael's "1% Rule" offers a sustainable approach to personal growth without chasing perfection * Why diagnostic labels can provide valuable information without defining who you are There is a powerful moment where Mikael describes moving from Sweden to Thailand and realizing that decades of chronic pain weren't simply something he had to accept forever. This episode might resonate if you: * Feel like you're constantly pushing through environments and activities that leave you exhausted or dysregulated * Are learning to harness your adult neurodivergence despite chronic illness, disability, or mental health challenges * Are rebuilding your identity after a diagnosis or searching for support as a neurodivergent individual This is something I see a lot in coaching too.  Many neurodivergent adults assume they're struggling because they aren't disciplined enough, when what they're really missing is an environment that supports their nervous system. We spend so much time adapting ourselves that we rarely stop to ask whether our home, work, relationships, or routines are actually designed for our wellbeing. If that is you, remember that creating a life that fits your brain and body isn't giving up. It's one of the most compassionate things you can do for your long-term mental health and neurodivergence journey. If you're looking for support with that: 👉 https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching [https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching] Looking for Mikael Avatar? https://mikaelavatar.com/ [https://mikaelavatar.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MikaelAvatarStjernvall [https://www.youtube.com/@MikaelAvatarStjernvall] https://www.instagram.com/mikaelavatar/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikaelavatar/]

62: What is Art Therapy & How to make ugly art w/ Jackie Schuld

This episode is full of instructions and strategies for creating an accessible art therapy practice. We got into the fundamentals of art therapy and its intersection with radical acceptance; this will be especially valuable for anyone curious about how various creative modalities can help us process what talk therapy sometimes misses. Curious what else is inside:  * Why creating "intentionally ugly" art is a powerful exercise in moving through discomfort * How to look at emotional waves as a reality to accommodate rather than a problem to solve * Practical, cheap ways to invite creativity & experimentation back into your routine using what’s already in your home There is a beautiful breakthrough moment where Jackie explains that the goal isn't about the final product on the wall, but watching how you handle the process of making it. And another where we unpack how we desperately need transition buffers instead of expecting our brains to instantly pivot from chaos to calm. This episode might resonate if you:  * Constantly spiral into perfectionism or feel uncomfortable when a project looks messy  * Feel overwhelmed by tools and choices to the point of creative paralysis * Are looking for somatic, experiential ways to release stuck emotional energy This is something I see a lot in coaching too.  We get so trapped in the planning and analyzing phase of our lives that we completely strip away our own permission to just mess around, investigate, and see what happens without a grade attached to it. If that is you, remember that you don't have to execute perfectly on every single thought to be a valid, creative human. It is entirely okay to just let things be experimental. If you're looking for support with that: 👉 https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching [https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching] Looking for Jackie Schuld?  Website: https://www.jackieschuld.com/ [https://www.jackieschuld.com/] Books: https://medium.com/@jackieschuld [https://medium.com/@jackieschuld] https://jackieschuld.substack.com/ [https://jackieschuld.substack.com/] https://www.jackieschuld.com/books [https://www.jackieschuld.com/books]

61: Anti-Fat Bias, Autism & Intersectionality with Zoe John-Kay

This convo has me thinking about how often we size up those we interact with, be it subconscious or intentional. We talk gender identity, intersectionality, and autism; imagine the freedom that comes from approaching confusion with curiosity instead of trying to force compliance. Curious what else is inside: • What is anti-fat bias and why it's harmful for every body size • How identity exploration can be approached gently • Tune in for a powerful analogy for understanding communication differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical people This episode might resonate if you: • Have ever felt rejected and struggled to understand why • Are exploring your identity, diagnosis, gender, sexuality, or place in the world • Want a more compassionate framework for understanding yourself and others In coaching, I attract people who feel pressure to "fix" themselves as quickly as possible. They want certainty, a label, or a final answer. But self-understanding is usually much messier than that. If this feels like you, you do not need to have everything figured out today. Practice makes progress. If you're looking for support with that: 👉 Neurodivergence Coaching with Sarah [https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching] Looking for Zoe John-Kay? Website: therapywithzoe.co.uk Instagram: @therapy_with_zoe https://substack.com/@unrulybodyminds Resources: Podcast: At The Intersection, Turn Left Book mentioned: Working Within Diversity by Myira Khan

60: ADHD, Burnout & Chronic Pain: How the Nervous System Lives in the Body

This episode really made me think about my bendy body in a new way. We got into how the body and mind are connected through fascia, and honestly it transformed how I understand things like stress, ADHD, and nervous system healing. We talk about fascia, embodiment, and neurodivergence, especially for people who feel stuck in their heads or overwhelmed by their feelings. Curious what else is inside: * Why “just breathe” advice does not always work on its own * How ADHD brains need physical action to understand and process things * The idea that your body is more fluid than solid, and why that matters There is a moment where we realize that mental overwhelm might actually be unprocessed physical tension in the body. And another where it clicks that movement is not just exercise, it is a way to process emotions. This episode might resonate if you: * Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts or emotions * Struggle to stay consistent unless something works right away * Deal with chronic pain, fatigue, or symptoms that feel unexplained This is something I see a lot in coaching too. People try to solve everything in their minds and keep collecting information, but they do not have a way to actually use it to move forward. If that is you, you are not failing nor are you broken. You might just need a more body based way to approach life. If you're looking for compassionate support with that: 👉https://www.ndreportpod.com/coaching * Website: gstbody.com * Instagram: @gstbody & @annarahe

59: Meditation 101 for Neurodivergent Minds: How to Start + Why It Works w/ Kelly Smith

Featuring: Kelly Smith, meditation teacher, author, and host of Mindful in Minutes We've all been told to try meditation. But some of our brains rebel against us when we try: your brain won’t slow down, your thoughts get louder, and it feels impossible. What if the problem isn’t you… but how meditation has been taught? In this episode, we explore: The “I Can’t Meditate” Moment: Sarah and Kelly reflect on initially rejecting meditation as something their brains couldn’t do. The “Workaround / Framework”: Meditation as single-pointed focus (not “emptying your mind”) — and why short, guided practices work best for neurodivergent brains. Protecting Your Peace: How the nervous system, the 90-second stress response, and constant stimulation keep us stuck in fight-or-flight. The Unexpected Human Detail: Goat cheese metaphors, self-doubt, and a real conversation about learning to be kinder to yourself. Key Questions Answered in the Audio: 1. How to build a meditation practice for ADHD brains? 2. What actually happens in your brain when you meditate for 8 weeks? 3. What is the purpose of meditation for neurodivergent people? Resources Mentioned: Kelly Smith’s podcast, Mindful in Minutes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyuAzAFsNzcypnAa1XSlnog [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyuAzAFsNzcypnAa1XSlnog] Kelly’s Website: http://yogaforyouonline.com/ Connect With Us! ndreportpod.com/contact [http://ndreportpod.com] Follow us on all the socials @NDreportpod