Episode 95: Elizabeth Kaelin

Welcome to episode #95! We’re thrilled to be joined by Elizabeth Kaelin today.Elizabeth Kaelin is a tech founder, award-winning commercialization mentor, and intersectionality business advocate. Her career spans healthcare, tech, venture capital, and corporate leadership, where she helps businesses scale while challenging traditional business norms.Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Elizabeth shares how she overcame burnout, adapted her leadership style, and built sustainable success. She is passionate about rethinking productivity, advocating for neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and showing how ADHD can be a leadership strength.In this episode, we discuss navigating ADHD as an entrepreneur, energy-based productivity, and how to build a business that actually works for your brain.Welcome to the show, Liz!QuestionsJN: When did you first realize you had ADHD?Diagnosed three separate times before fully accepting itInitially dismissed the diagnosis due to career success & maskingADHD symptoms became more obvious during burnout & career transitionsJN: How did ADHD impact your early career?Worked in dietetics, tech, venture capital & consulting before founding her startupStruggled with executive dysfunction & burnout in structured corporate settingsThrived in entrepreneurship but faced challenges in long-term project managementJC: How did your ADHD diagnosis change how you approached work?Stopped trying to "fix weaknesses" & started optimizing strengthsFocused on energy-based productivity instead of rigid time managementLearned to work with her brain, not against itJN: What was the biggest challenge in building your business as a neurodivergent entrepreneur?Struggled with traditional productivity systems that don’t work for ADHDHad to develop her own strategies for prioritization & decision-makingLearned to lean into her strengths rather than force neurotypical approachesJC: What is your approach to productivity now?Uses energy management instead of strict schedulesPrioritizes flexibility & intuition over rigid planningExplores non-traditional frameworks like numerology & cyclical planningJN: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?“Eat the Frog” method (doing the hardest task first)—completely drains motivationRigid time-blocking & consistency-based productivity hacksTrying to force structure instead of embracing fluidityJC: How do you prevent burnout while managing multiple projects?Learned to listen to her body & mental energy levelsSimplifies decision-making using intuition & structured randomnessBalances structure with novelty to maintain engagementJN: What is your morning routine like?Uses randomized prompts to keep routines engaging & prevent decision fatigueFocuses on three key things daily (movement, mindfulness, connection)Simulates a commute even when working from home to set mental boundariesJN: How do you wind down at night?Struggles with sleep & phone distractions—uses grayscale & separate phonesListens to music or ambient sounds to shift into relaxation modeTidies up before bed to avoid waking up in a chaotic environmentJN: Where can people connect with you?Instagram: @LizKaelinOfficial: https://www.instagram.com/lizkaelinofficial/LinkedIn: Elizabeth Kaelin: linkedin.com/in/elizabethkaelinJC: Final words for the audience?“I’d love recommendations for ADHD-friendly digital systems or consultants who help with automation and accountability.”“Managing inattentive ADHD without a second brain system is tough—any tips for setting one up?”More from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbearConnect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: [email protected] with Joey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/