EP. 52 Wired Different, Not Broken: ADHD, Burnout & Why So Many Tradies Struggle

This week on the podcast, Kate sits down with Kayla from Dopamine & Co, an ADHD coach who truly gets the construction industry — because she’s lived it.With nearly a decade in commercial construction before moving into coaching, Kayla brings a rare mix of lived experience, deep understanding, and straight-talking honesty to a topic that’s still surrounded by stigma: neurodivergence in adults — especially tradies.In this wide-ranging and refreshingly honest conversation, Kate and Kayla unpack why so many people in the trades are unknowingly navigating ADHD, autism, and burnout — and the toll it takes when it goes unrecognised.They dive into emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, masking, task paralysis, and the brutal inner critic that keeps so many tradies stuck in survival mode. You’ll also hear why burnout isn’t “just needing a weekend off”, how neurodivergent burnout hits differently, and what actually helps — beyond medication alone.Most importantly, this episode flips the script. Instead of asking “what’s wrong with me?”, Kayla explains how learning to work with your brain — not against it — can change everything in business, relationships, and life.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy the trades attract so many neurodivergent peopleEmotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity explained in real termsThe hidden cost of masking at work — and why it shows up at homeWhat burnout really looks like (and why it can take months to recover)ADHD, task paralysis, and why “just do the thing” doesn’t workWhy forcing yourself into systems that don’t fit creates resentmentStrength-based coaching vs trying to “fix” yourselfMedication, coaching, and lifestyle changes — what actually helpsSimple check-ins to regulate emotions before things explode✨ Key TakeawayYou’re not lazy, broken, or failing — you might just be wired differently. When you stop fighting your brain and start working with it, everything gets easier.Check out Kayla on her website and Instagram:https://dopamineandco.com/homehttps://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachkayla/ THE MONEY JUNKET: A TRADIE COUPLES RETREAT21st to 23rd AUGUST 2026 - BRISBANE QLDGet on the Same Page. Fix the Numbers. Feel Like a Couple Again.Join us at southbankClick here to register.Limited spots, because we keep these events intimate and interactive. 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level?🚀 Money Junket 2026 Join us for our biggest event of the year—helping tradie couples build profitable, sustainable businesses (without burning out or breaking their relationship). 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-money-junket-bne-2026💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program📞 Book a ‘What To Fix First’ Call Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect