The Anxious Achiever ADHD Ahas from a Combat Pilot, a $250 Million Founder, and a Professor
Jan 22, 2026
Nate Swan, a former Apache pilot, shares how his ADHD fuels his leadership in high-stress environments and the challenges of late diagnosis. Dan Bastian, co-founder of Boom Chicka Pop, recounts his journey from struggling with undiagnosed ADHD to thriving with hyperfocus and supportive partnerships. Johan Wiklund, a professor, reveals that ADHD traits can offer unique advantages in entrepreneurship and academia, emphasizing the importance of context. Together, they explore how these traits can transform perceived disorders into strengths for success.
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Finding the Right Flight For Focus
- Nate Swan switched from airplanes to Apache helicopters because he needed constant activity and variety.
- He found helicopter combat and scout missions matched his ADHD brain and kept him engaged and effective.
Action First, Anxiety After
- Nate described ADHD and anxiety as overlapping where quick decisions feel natural but second-guessing follows.
- Anxiety often emerges after action when he re-evaluates decisions rather than during the moment of action.
Check Career Rules Before Meds
- Be aware that stimulant ADHD meds can restrict careers like military pilots and explore non-stimulant options early.
- Seek diagnosis and treatment while considering job-specific medical rules to avoid unexpected career disruption.
