Build self trust the ADHD friendly way one promise at a time

ADHD at Work and at Home: Motivation, Masking, and Real Support with Dr. Saara HaapanenWhat happens when an Olympic-level athlete-turned-psychologist maps ADHD from the inside—and shows us what actually helps?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Saara Haapanen to explore ADHD beyond stereotypes. You’ll hear how almost making the Olympics, years of elite sport, and a late ADHD diagnosis shaped her work helping individuals and organizations create environments where neurodivergent people can truly perform. I reveal the key questions I ask to shift shame into self-trust, while Sara shares a simple motivation model you can remember and use today.You’ll discover why “just focus” backfires, what looks like laziness but isn’t, and the one feedback change workplaces can make that instantly eases RSD. We also get into perimenopause, parenting through a child’s assessment, and the very real emotional load adults carry—plus the small language tweaks that lower demand and raise follow-through.By the end, you’ll be asking: Which part of motivation do I boost first? How do I request support at work without feeling exposed? And what would change if I spoke to myself like my own best friend?About the GuestDr. Saara Haapanen is a sports and exercise psychology PhD, former elite diver ranked 30th in the world, and founder of Performance Is Haapanen. Since 2013, she’s coached high performers and advised schools, healthcare systems, and companies on neurodiversity, motivation, and well-being.Key Timestamps0:02 – Meet Dr. Saara Haapanen and her path from elite sport to health and performance4:40 – Finland, near-Olympic selection, and the spark that led to sports psychology11:26 – “I know what to do—why am I not doing it?” Motivation without a map16:14 – From her own diagnosis to helping others thrive24:09 – The most common misunderstanding about adult ADHD27:46 – Inside the ADHD brain: floodlight vs. flashlight focus33:35 – What looks like laziness but isn’t35:41 – ADHD in a workplace not built for it: where things break down44:10 – One feedback shift that reduces RSD on the spot48:03 – The FUN.COM motivation model you’ll actually remember53:42 – Do companies get it yet?75:46 – A client story that changed a whole family’s trajectory80:51 – “Nothing’s wrong with you”—what I want you to hear82:27 – What I’d tell my younger self84:38 – Where to find Dr. SaaraIf this helped, share it with a parent, educator, or manager who needs it. Subscribe for more supportive conversations on neurodiversity, and tell me in the comments: Which part of FUN.COM do you need most this week?Keywords: ADHD, neurodivergent, workplace inclusion, motivation, executive function, rejection sensitivity, perimenopause, body doubling, movement, positive psychology#ADHD #Neurodiversity #WorkplaceInclusion #ParentingADHD #ExecutiveFunctionHosted by Reid Miles.Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected] on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.