In this episode, I chat with Christopher French, an accomplished composer, musician, and fellow ADHD warrior. Christopher opens up about his journey from a rebellious high school dropout to finding solace and purpose through music. He shares his personal experiences with ADHD, addiction, and recovery, and how these challenges have shaped his creative path.
Throughout our conversation, Christopher shares how he's managed to develop a variety of life hacks and strategies to maintain balance, especially as a husband and father. From meditation to blue-tinted sunglasses, he reveals some unique methods he's embraced to regulate his sensory experiences and stay grounded. Join us as we unpack the highs and lows of living with ADHD, the power of self-awareness, and what it takes to thrive as a neurodivergent creative.
Christopher French is a multi-talented composer, artist, and 1:1 creative wellness coach based in Los Angeles. With a rich background in alternative rock and an impressive range of scoring credits, Christopher has worked on projects for HBO, Amazon Prime, and feature films. He lives with his wife, actress and singer Ashley Tisdale, and their two children, and continues to create from his private HD recording studio, Dreamhaus.
Episode Highlights:
[00:32] - Introduction to Christopher French, his artistic journey, and living with ADHD.
[1:41] - Christopher shares his early experiences with ADHD diagnosis and medication in the '90s.
[7:28] - Discussing the link between ADHD, substance abuse, and the pursuit of dopamine.
[13:36] - How major life changes, like marriage and parenthood, re-trigger ADHD symptoms.
[21:15] - The challenges of executive dysfunction and strategies for managing chaotic situations.
[26:26] - Embracing dual diagnoses in recovery programs for ADHD and substance abuse.
[30:51] - Using sensory strategies like blue-tinted sunglasses and white noise to ease sensory overload.
[35:50] - The power of self-compassion and accepting ADHD as a part of oneself.
[43:28] - Christopher describes his hyper-focus and how he leverages it in high-pressure situations.
[47:30] - Closing thoughts on the lifelong journey of understanding and managing ADHD.
Connect with Christopher French:
- Connect with Christopher French: cmfrench.com
- Follow Christopher on Instagram: @cmfrench
- Book mentioned: Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
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