Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 95: Elizabeth Kaelin

Apr 2, 2025

Elizabeth Kaelin, a tech founder and commercialization mentor, shares her inspiring journey of navigating ADHD later in life. She discusses overcoming burnout and adapting her leadership style to embrace neurodiversity as a strength. Elizabeth highlights energy-based productivity, the importance of optimizing strengths over fixing weaknesses, and the need for inclusive workplaces. The conversation dives into personal insights on managing productivity, evolving routines, and using tools like aromatherapy to enhance focus while fostering a healthy work-life balance.

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ANECDOTE

Three Diagnoses

Elizabeth Kaelin was diagnosed with ADHD three times before accepting it, initially dismissing it due to career success.
Masking her symptoms led to burnout, prompting her to seek diagnosis during career transitions.

ANECDOTE

Medication Journey

In Australia, Kaelin's partner disliked her behavior while medicated, leading her to stop medication for years.
After the relationship ended, she resumed medication and now views it differently.

INSIGHT

Strengths over Weaknesses

Early ADHD management advice focused on fixing weaknesses, which proved unhelpful for high-performing individuals.
Kaelin emphasizes the importance of leveraging strengths and recognizing the link between ADHD and entrepreneurship.

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Welcome to episode #95! We’re thrilled to be joined by Elizabeth Kaelin today.

Elizabeth Kaelin is a tech founder, award-winning commercialization mentor, and intersectionality business advocate. Her career spans healthcare, tech, venture capital, and corporate leadership, where she helps businesses scale while challenging traditional business norms.

Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Elizabeth shares how she overcame burnout, adapted her leadership style, and built sustainable success. She is passionate about rethinking productivity, advocating for neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and showing how ADHD can be a leadership strength.

In this episode, we discuss navigating ADHD as an entrepreneur, energy-based productivity, and how to build a business that actually works for your brain.

Welcome to the show, Liz!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you had ADHD?

Diagnosed three separate times before fully accepting it
Initially dismissed the diagnosis due to career success & masking
ADHD symptoms became more obvious during burnout & career transitions

JN: How did ADHD impact your early career?

Worked in dietetics, tech, venture capital & consulting before founding her startup
Struggled with executive dysfunction & burnout in structured corporate settings
Thrived in entrepreneurship but faced challenges in long-term project management

JC: How did your ADHD diagnosis change how you approached work?

Stopped trying to "fix weaknesses" & started optimizing strengths
Focused on energy-based productivity instead of rigid time management
Learned to work with her brain, not against it

JN: What was the biggest challenge in building your business as a neurodivergent entrepreneur?

Struggled with traditional productivity systems that don’t work for ADHD
Had to develop her own strategies for prioritization & decision-making
Learned to lean into her strengths rather than force neurotypical approaches

JC: What is your approach to productivity now?

Uses energy management instead of strict schedules
Prioritizes flexibility & intuition over rigid planning
Explores non-traditional frameworks like numerology & cyclical planning

JN: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?

“Eat the Frog” method (doing the hardest task first)—completely drains motivation
Rigid time-blocking & consistency-based productivity hacks
Trying to force structure instead of embracing fluidity

JC: How do you prevent burnout while managing multiple projects?

Learned to listen to her body & mental energy levels
Simplifies decision-making using intuition & structured randomness
Balances structure with novelty to maintain engagement

JN: What is your morning routine like?

Uses randomized prompts to keep routines engaging & prevent decision fatigue
Focuses on three key things daily (movement, mindfulness, connection)
Simulates a commute even when working from home to set mental boundaries

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Struggles with sleep & phone distractions—uses grayscale & separate phones
Listens to music or ambient sounds to shift into relaxation mode
Tidies up before bed to avoid waking up in a chaotic environment

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Instagram: @LizKaelinOfficial: https://www.instagram.com/lizkaelinofficial/
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Kaelin: linkedin.com/in/elizabethkaelin

JC: Final words for the audience?

“I’d love recommendations for ADHD-friendly digital systems or consultants who help with automation and accountability.”
“Managing inattentive ADHD without a second brain system is tough—any tips for setting one up?”