Dawn Nickel is my guest on this episode.  Dawn is a certified professional recover coach and holds a Ph.D. in Healthcare Policy with a focus on women who experience issues related to mental health, addiction, and intimate partner violence.  Dawn has taken her life experiences of being in recovery from substance abuse, domestic violence, cancer, codependency, grief, and workaholism and turned it into an empowerment movement called She Recovers. 

It is a fact that people with ADHD have higher rates of addiction.  Because of that, I’m excited to share this conversation with you.  You will hear Dawn share her incredible story that includes four overdoses by the time she was a 20-years-old, a pregnancy at that same age, struggling with workaholism, and defending her dissertation in recovery from surgery.  Dawn says that we are all recovering from something.

Connect with Dawn Nickel:

Email - Dawn@SheRecovers.co

Website - SheRecovers.co

Facebook - She Recovers

Your Resources

• Working Ourselves to Death: The High Cost of Workaholism and the Rewards of Recovery - Diane Fassel
• Workaholics-Anonymous.org

You’ll Learn:

• [03:01] - Dawn shares her story and tells us how she got to where she is now.
• [08:33] - When Dawn went back to school, she found herself addicted to the pace of school. She calls this “toxic productivity.”
• [09:30] - Dawn describes the experience of her daughter falling into drug use.
• [12:08] - Overachieving was a confirming experience for Dawn.
• [12:33] - Dawn considers workaholism “the final frontier.” I share my struggles in this area of life.
• [16:10] - By having nine retreats a year, Dawn is guaranteed periods of time away from work.
• [18:04] - When I am working longer than I want to, I find myself getting annoyed. Dawn says this is a matter of being aware.
• [20:01] - Dawn talks about identifying bottom-lines and high-lines and using healthy accountability to meet goals.
• [29:20] - Dawn tells us the story surrounding her cancer diagnosis. She defended her dissertation from the hospital post-surgery.
• [36:12] - “Everyone knows what addiction looks like. Nobody knows what recovery looks like.”
• [43:08] - Dawn talks about working with Shelly, and witnessing the changing perspective with shame.
• [52:16] - Dawn shares the story of She Recovers and describes their offerings.

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

Early registration for ADHD reWired’s Spring season of our online, video-based coaching and accountability group has ended, and the groups are full.  If you aren’t interested in joining the wait-list, visit http://coachingrewired.com.

ADHD Women’s Palooza

Encore packages of this amazing conference are available for only $97!  That includes audio and video downloads, as well as abridged transcripts. Learn more at http://adhdrewired.com/palooza

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  One perk example is our Patreon-only Adult Study Hall. Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30 pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey, What about you?  Do you have a story? Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

We have a different type of episode for you this week.  Brendan Mahan joins me for this episode. We’re talking about sleep!  Brendan and I had our monthly Q&A episode last week, and we ended the episode on the topic of sleep.  

Since the beginning of the year, my sleep has been incredible.  On the other hand, Brendan has struggled with sleep. He cites a number of changes in his weekly schedule as the primary reason for this.  Throughout this conversation, you will hear many of the changes in routine and strategies I have implemented that has led to a higher quality of sleep.  

Connect with Brendan Mahan

ADHD Essentials Podcast

Your Resources

Sleep with Me Podcast

You’ll Learn:

• [03:31] - Brendan shares the reasons why his sleep has not been great recently.  
• [05:32] - My wife and I sleep in separate bedrooms because of our differences in sleep.  
• [06:52] - Brendan provides us with another reason why his quality of sleep has suffered.
• [08:44] - I share my strategy behind using specific language with my goals to help me get my sleep on track.
• [10:38] - Another goal I have for this year is on the topic of difficult conversations.
• [14:07] - Brendan talks about how boundary-setting helps his sleep.
• [20:55] - One of my goals was to have a deeper connection with myself.  A meditation class is helping me accomplish this. I’ve also started journaling.  I talk about how my writing strategy is soothing for me.
• [29:24] - I have been participating in a meditation class, and explain my efforts to stomach the “woo woo.”  
• [35:27] - Sleepytime tea has been a key addition to my evening routine.
• [38:29] - Believe it or not, closing my closet doors helps me wind down and prepare for sleep.  If I’m going to look at a screen an hour or two before sleep, I put on Blublocker glasses. This leads to a discussion on boundaries around screen-time.
• [46:21] - I talk about using supplements and medication to help with sleep.  
• [49:53] - I have changed what I listen to at night.  I play a sample of what helps me go to sleep.
• [55:04] - 9:15 is the tuck time.  9:45 is my next target-time, to get upstairs.
• [58:56] - I use sleep notes in my Sleep Cycle app, and it indicates that when I stick to my strategies, my sleep benefits from it.
• [1:08:05] - Warm showers and meditation have helped me the most with my sleep.

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

Early registration for ADHD reWired’s Spring season of our online, video-based coaching and accountability group has ended, and the groups are full.  If you aren’t interested in joining the wait-list, visit http://coachingrewired.com.

ADHD Women’s Palooza

Encore packages of this amazing conference are available for only $97!  That includes audio and video downloads, as well as abridged transcripts. Learn more at http://adhdrewired.com/palooza

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  One perk example is our Patreon-only Adult Study Hall. Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30 pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey, What about you?  Do you have a story? Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

This episode is the recording of February’s live Q&A.  The questions answered in this episode were submitted by listeners of this podcast, both ahead of time and live.  Brendan Mahan once again joins me on this Q&A.

This week, we had several listeners join us on the podcast.  You will hear us talk with a couple of people who were diagnosed later, and are working through things like finding helpful therapists and being ready for coaching.  

You can listen to our live Q&A sessions on the second Tuesday of every month at 1:30 pm Eastern.  Join Brendan Mahan and me as we answer your questions live. You can register at http://ADHDreWired.com/events.  

Connect with Brendan Mahan

ADHD Essentials Podcast

Your Resources

CHADD

How to ADHD

You’ll Learn:

• [03:18] - Brendan shares that he is filling in as principal for a school.
• [06:50] - Brendan explains why he is no longer a fan of the concept of behavior management.  
• [08:24] - Anna has a question about dyslexia.  Some of the characteristics of dyslexia are becoming apparent.  She wonders how dyslexia is displayed and diagnosed.
• [13:48] - Amy joins the call and shares that she was diagnosed with ADHD at 41.  She doesn’t feel that the therapists she has encountered aren’t that helpful.
• [18:32] - I ask Amy some follow-up questions and Brendan and I share some thoughts on her situation.  
• [27:24] - Rob was just diagnosed with ADHD at 50.  He wonders where to start. We give him some resources.  
• [31:52] - Juliet joins the call and is looking to manage anger and frustration she feels, specifically with her 8-year old who has ADHD.  This is an aspect of ADHD that is not discussed much. I share some of my thoughts on regulating these emotions.
• [45:24] - Brett talks with us about being ready for coaching.  
• [56:33] - Tina joins the call.  She brings up the idea of using a filter in interactions with others.  
• [1:01:07] - Brendan and I talk about our current sleep habits and progress.

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

Early registration for ADHD reWired’s Spring season of our online, video-based coaching and accountability group has ended, and the groups are full.  If you aren’t interested in joining the wait-list, visit http://coachingrewired.com.

ADHD Women’s Palooza

Encore packages of this amazing conference are available for only $97!  That includes audio and video downloads, as well as abridged transcripts. Learn more at http://adhdrewired.com/palooza

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  One perk example is our Patreon-only Adult Study Hall. Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30 pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey, What about you?  Do you have a story? Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

Justin Classen returns to the podcast for this episode.  He previously appeared on Episode #195.  Justin learned that he has ADHD in April 2017.  Since then, he has been devoting himself to a journey of acceptance and developing a true sense of awareness.  Prior to his diagnosis, Justin would describe his life as a seemingly endless series of impulsive catastrophes.  Since he was last on the podcast, Justin continues to make tons of progress and positive changes in his life from improving his health, getting control of his finances, and being more organized.  Justin is here to share the message that if he can do it, so can you.

“You know you have ADHD when you set reminders to set reminders.”  The progress that Justin has made since our last discussion is impressive, and in this conversation, you will hear him describe the strategies he has implemented and the results he’s experienced.  One area that Justin is struggling with is readjusting to home life after a week away for work. We discuss some ways he could transition between those two worlds.

Your Resources

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear

You’ll Learn:

• [02:43] - Justin describes his life since he was on the podcast over a year ago.
• [03:21] - Justin explains the type of work he does.
• [05:15] - When discussing his progress, Justin emphasizes how vital medication is.
• [06:34] - We all experience setbacks, and Justin describes how he recovers from these situations.
• [07:32] - Justin tells us how he avoids misplacing his wallet, keys, and phone.
• [08:36] - Having clocks and timers in various locations helps Justin stay on track with appointments and tasks.  
• [09:56] - Justin talks about some of the pleasant surprises he’s experienced since his diagnosis. One is the repairing of relationships, and he explains how he fixed these.
• [19:57] - Justin says these high-energy and impulsive tendencies are still there.  He shares how he keeps those things in check.
• [22:32] - Justin talks about his self-care.  
• [27:04] - Justin has a strange schedule with seven days away from home and then seven days at home.  He talks about his struggles with juggling those two different routines.
• [29:46] - Audiobooks are something that Justin has been enjoying recently.  He shares how the books he is listening to are helping him work through things.
• [33:14] - Justin talks about giving back to the ADHD community.  He would like to do something that’s more interactive and intuitive.
• [41:28] - Meditation is something Justin is curious about.  I share some tips on meditation and mindfulness for Justin, who is a very physically active person.  
• [45:12] - Justin talks about keeping track of the positive things he’s doing for himself.  
• [47:58] - Justin asks about molding his home life and work life together.  

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

Early registration for ADHD reWired’s Spring season of our online, video-based coaching and accountability group is underway.  There is one registration event left! RSVP for one of our registration events by visiting http://coachingrewired.com

ADHD Women’s Palooza

Encore packages of this amazing conference are available for only $97!  That includes audio and video downloads, as well as abridged transcripts. Learn more at http://adhdrewired.com/palooza

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  One perk example is our Patreon-only Adult Study Hall. Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30 pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey, What about you?  Do you have a story? Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.