Salif Mahamane's early struggles with chronic procrastination and difficulty concentrating as a child eventually led to his ADHD diagnosis at the age of 28, during his Ph.D. program in experimental and applied psychological science at Utah State University. Despite grappling with the challenges of ADHD, Salif discovered the concept of hyperfocus, which enabled him to delve deeply into his areas of interest.
Following the urging of his wife, a mental health therapist, Salif sought professional help, leading to a definitive diagnosis and a newfound understanding of why he had faced various academic and cognitive hurdles throughout his education. Motivated by his personal journey, Salif became an advocate for neurodiversity, sharing his experiences and insights in his widely viewed TEDx Talk titled "ADHD Sucks, But Not Really."
Listen in to hear more about Salif’s ADHD journey, how he uses time alone in nature to manage the busyness of his brain and how building up the compassion he shows himself has been critical in his journey.
Refocused, Together is a collection of 31 stories told throughout the 31 days of October, a part of our commitment to ADHD Awareness Month. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss a single story this month!
Connect with Salif on Instagram @thedreadedfly!
WATCH: Salif’s TEDx Talk, “ADHD Sucks, But Not Really”
READ: How To Practice Self-Compassion with ADHD by Dr. Sharon Saline
READ: ADHD and the Power of Self-Compassion
Yoga Nidra: Lindsay’s favorite instructor Ally Boothroyd
PRACTICE: 30 Minute Yoga Nidra for Nervous System Reset
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