Why ADHD Athletes Struggle With Emotions (And How to Fix It)

In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with Michael McLeod, founder of GrowNOW ADHD, creator of the Internal Skills Coaching Model, and an award-winning speaker with over 20 years of experience helping kids and families navigate ADHD and executive functioning challenges. As the author of The Executive Function Playbook and a leading voice in ADHD development, Mike’s work centers on owne core idea: kids with ADHD don’t lack intelligence—they lack an “internal GPS.”This conversation challenges the traditional view of ADHD, reframing it as a disorder of executive functioning, not attention. Instead of focusing on surface-level behaviors like hyperactivity or eye contact, Mike explains why real growth comes from building internal skills—self-awareness, emotional regulation, motivation, and independence.Throughout the episode, he breaks down why many common parenting and coaching approaches—like constant reminders, lectures, or forcing accountability—often backfire by increasing dysregulation and creating more conflict.ADHD is not about attention—it’s about performance and internal skill gaps.Kids need experiences, not constant verbal correction, to build executive functioning.Emotional regulation improves when adults remove attention during dysregulation, not add more.The car ride home after games is critical—say less, not more.True accountability develops through natural consequences, not forced apologies.Parents should aim for an authoritative approach with clear structure and less negotiation.Coaches and parents can use a simple framework: “ready vs. not ready” behavior.Sports and movement are some of the most effective ways to build the ADHD brain.This episode will change how you think about ADHD—and give you practical tools to help your child build confidence, regulate emotions, and succeed both on and off the field.Follow Mike: https://www.instagram.com/grownowadhd/