ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

EP. 320: It’s Never Too Late: Reinventing Life with Emily Ransdell

Feb 19, 2025

Emily Ransdell, a former tech marketer turned published poet and creative writing instructor, shares her inspiring journey of reinvention after retiring at 59. Diagnosed with ADHD in her 60s, she discusses the impact of unrecognized struggles throughout her life. Emily's transition to a creative career exemplifies that it's never too late to pursue your passions. She emphasizes the power of community and self-acceptance, revealing how her ADHD enhances her creative process and healing, proving that age is just a number when it comes to following your dreams.

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ANECDOTE

Chaotic Childhood

Emily Ransdell grew up in a chaotic household with a mother who likely had ADHD.
This environment lacked routines and resulted in Emily struggling with basic life skills, impacting her college experience.

ANECDOTE

College Struggles

Emily's messy home life as a child led to her struggling in college.
She had difficulty creating study routines and nearly failed classes, often needing to plead with professors for passing grades.

ANECDOTE

Childhood Friendships

As a child, Emily Ransdell enjoyed imaginative play and being alone but struggled with friendships.
She felt different and experienced rejection from friends, particularly after her best friend started dating.

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Some people see retirement as slowing down—Emily Ransdell saw it as a chance to finally do what she was meant to do.

After a career in tech marketing, she walked away at 59 and went all in on her lifelong love of writing. At 60, she enrolled in a Master’s in Creative Writing, and by 67, she had published her first poetry collection, which won the Lewis Award from Concrete Wolf Press. Now, she teaches writing workshops, gives public readings, and continues to build a life centered around creativity.

But Emily’s story isn’t just about reinvention—it’s about understanding herself in a way she never had before. Diagnosed with ADHD in her early 60s, she finally made sense of the struggles she’d faced for decades: disorganization, perfectionism, and the feeling that she was always working harder than everyone else just to keep up. In this conversation, Emily shares how she managed school and career before her diagnosis, how ADHD affected her creative process, and why getting diagnosed later in life changed everything.

She also talks about breaking free from the idea that it’s “too late” to start something new. Whether you’re considering a career shift, exploring a creative passion, or just wondering if there’s more out there for you, Emily’s story proves that it’s never too late to start.

Resources:
Website: https://emilyransdell.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyransdellpoet/

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