ADHD Ahas from a Combat Pilot, a $250 Million Founder, and a Professor
The Anxious Achiever
ADHD Strengths in Academia
Johan describes how academia allowed him to adapt work to his ADHD and thrive in research.
What do a combat pilot, a $250M entrepreneur, and a world-renowned academic have in common? ADHD. In this episode, I revisit one of my favorite conversations about how ADHD shows up in high-performing leaders who live different lives. I sit down with Nate Swan, a combat pilot who thrives in high-stress environments, Dan Bastian, co-founder of Boom Chicka Pop, and Johan Wiklund, a professor who studies ADHD in entrepreneurship. We talk about hyperfocus, impulsivity, anxiety, late diagnosis, leadership, and the unexpected ways ADHD can become a competitive advantage. Get ready to learn how the very traits often labeled as “disorders” can fuel success, creativity, and resilience.
Check out our sponsors:
Northwest Registered Agent - Protect your privacy, build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes! Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/achieverfree
Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever
Cozy Earth - Give your home the luxury it deserves. Head to cozyearth.com and use code ACHIEVER for up to 20% off.
Express VPN - Secure your online data today. Visit expressvpn.com/achiever and find out how you can get up to four extra months.
Talkiatry - Head to talkiaitry.com/achiever and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Working Genius - Take the working genius assessment today and get 20% off with code ACHIEVER at working genius.com
In this Episode, You Will Learn
00:00 3 high achievers with ADHD live completely different lives.
03:15 Why chaotic environments calm the ADHD brain.
04:45 How anxiety and ADHD overlap.
05:30 What happens when ADHD goes undiagnosed in adulthood?
06:30 The career risks of ADHD medication for military pilots.
09:00 Leadership lessons from managing neurodiverse teams.
11:30 How the military is shifting its mental health culture.
18:00 The anxiety that never fully goes away.
20:30 Is ADHD good or bad?
25:30 The types of work that suit ADHD brains.
34:30 Designing work around energy cycles.
37:30 How to use ADHD and anxiety as motivators.
Resources + Links
Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever
Watch the podcast on YouTube
Find more resources on our website morraam.com
Follow
Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
The AI-powered Podcast Player
