The Josh Boone Show
#35: Mark Cann – Adult ADHD Diagnosis: Strategies for Life, Love, & Business Success
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- ADHD is not limited to childhood and can significantly impact adults in various aspects of life, including entrepreneurial careers and relationships.
- Incorporating rest and mindfulness practices into daily routines can help individuals with ADHD reset their brains and improve focus, attention, and overall well-being.
- ADHD presents unique strengths, including heightened intuition, strong networking abilities, and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations.
- Exercise, along with self-care practices like proper sleep and a healthy diet, plays a crucial role in managing and mitigating the symptoms of ADHD.
- Creating a limited schedule and having an accountability partner can be effective strategies for staying motivated and consistent in attending the gym or completing tasks.
- Advancements in personalized healthcare, including the use of AI and machine learning, offer hope for more specific and effective support for individuals with ADHD.
Deep dives
Misconceptions about ADHD
One of the biggest misconceptions about ADHD is that individuals with ADHD have endless energy and can hyperfocus for hours. Another misconception is that ADHD is primarily a childhood condition and doesn't affect adults. Additionally, people may mistakenly believe that ADHD is just about being forgetful or scatterbrained, without understanding the neurological challenges and impulsivity that individuals with ADHD face. It's important to dispel these misconceptions to promote a better understanding and support for individuals with ADHD.
The Power of Rest and Mindfulness
Understanding the neuroscience of ADHD has highlighted the importance of incorporating rest and mindfulness practices into daily routines. Taking short breaks, practicing meditation, and creating quiet, calm spaces can help reset the brain and provide a buffer against the overstimulation and high energy often associated with ADHD. These practices improve focus, attention, and overall well-being.
The unique strengths of ADHD
While ADHD presents challenges, it also offers unique strengths. Intuition is often heightened in individuals with ADHD, allowing them to read situations and people accurately. Networking and building relationships come naturally to many with ADHD, making them likable and effective at connecting with others. Additionally, the ability to remain calm in difficult situations can be a valuable strength, allowing individuals with ADHD to navigate challenges with composure and find effective solutions.
The importance of exercise and self-care
Through research and personal experience, it has become clear that exercise plays a crucial role in managing and mitigating the symptoms of ADHD. Regular exercise not only improves focus and attention but also impacts mood and energy levels positively. Alongside exercise, self-care practices like proper sleep, healthy diet choices, and mindfulness techniques can significantly support individuals with ADHD in managing their symptoms and overall well-being.
Accountability and limited schedules
Creating a limited schedule and having an accountability partner can help with staying motivated and consistent in attending the gym or completing tasks. Having someone to answer to and not wanting to let them down becomes a powerful motivator.
Habit building and consistency
Building habits and committing to specific days and times each week for workouts or specific tasks can help create consistency and make it easier to stick to a routine. Making a habit of going on specific days or at certain times helps establish a regular routine and ensures that it becomes a priority.
Choosing accessible and enjoyable workouts
Choosing workouts that are accessible and enjoyable can increase motivation and consistency. Opting for workouts that can be easily done at home or without specific equipment can help remove barriers and make it more convenient to exercise. Enjoying the chosen workouts can also increase motivation and make it more likely to continue exercising.
Creating a healthy diet and focusing on nutrition
Working with a dietitian or nutritionist can help improve eating habits and make healthier dietary choices. A protein-based lunch and reducing intake of dairy products are mentioned as part of dietary improvements. Prioritizing nutrition and making conscious choices about food intake can have a positive impact on overall well-being and health.
The evolving field of ADHD research and education
The field of ADHD research and education is constantly evolving, with new tools and technologies being developed to support individuals with ADHD. One of the key trends in this field is the use of AI and machine learning to create personalized healthcare solutions, such as tailored treatment plans and targeted interventions. This approach allows for more specific and effective support for individuals with ADHD. Additionally, there is a growing focus on blended learning, which combines different learning modalities, such as video calls, virtual workshops, and follow-up sessions, to cater to individual learning styles and preferences. These advancements in research and education offer hope for improved understanding and management of ADHD.
Tech tools for ADHD management
There are a variety of tech tools available that can assist with managing ADHD symptoms and improving productivity. Motion app, for example, helps with calendar management and time blocking, while Morgan.so offers calendar integration and organization features. Other tools, such as Llama Life and Hyper, focus on task management and habit forming. While these tools provide valuable support, a challenge lies in integrating them with existing workflows and technologies to ensure seamless and efficient usage. However, these advancements in tech tools offer exciting possibilities for individuals with ADHD to better manage their symptoms and enhance their productivity.
The changing perception of mental health
There is a noticeable shift in the perception of mental health, including ADHD, with increased awareness and reduced stigma. This cultural change is largely driven by younger generations, such as Gen Z, who are more open, transparent, and accepting of mental health issues. As a result, there is a growing interest in mental health topics, as evidenced by increased discussions and support. This changing perception is reflected in various mediums, including podcasts, where mental health conversations become a focal point. With these positive changes, it is hoped that individuals with ADHD will feel more supported and empowered to seek help and resources.
The importance of personalized healthcare
Personalized healthcare is gaining recognition as a crucial aspect of managing ADHD. With advancements in AI and machine learning, it is now possible to analyze large amounts of data and generate tailored recommendations for individuals with ADHD. This includes personalized treatment plans, targeted interventions, and the integration of various health metrics, such as biometrics and genetic data. The aim is to provide more precise and effective support for individuals with ADHD, taking into account their unique needs and circumstances. By embracing personalized healthcare, there is hope for improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for individuals with ADHD.
For session 35 of The Josh Boone Show, we catch up with our old friend and marketing expert, Mark Cann.
Mark is an entrepreneur, growth marketer, and now a mental health advocate. Mark is the founder of HYPAA, a recently launched science-backed ADHD education platform with the advisory of a prominent neuroscientist and dietician.
This talk is all about something very near – but maybe not so dear – to both of our hearts: Attention Hyper-Active Disorder or ADHD. Both of us were diagnosed late as adults, myself at age 23 and Mark at 42. For a long time, neither of us understood why certain things were so difficult for us, why our minds involuntarily tortured us with chaotic, scattered, and irrational thoughts.
Although we’ve found success, it’s taken years of personal research, doctor’s visits, medication, dieting, and discipline. It’s basically been life on hard mode.
I hope you’ll join us to delve into the intricacies of ADHD diagnosis, ADHD’s impact on entrepreneurial careers and relationships, and the evolving landscape of treatment.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and I don't play one on the internet, but I am a long-standing ADHD patient and have done years' worth of extensive split-testing and research. I aim to shine a light on this condition and encourage all who struggle with similar symptoms to ask hard questions and get help.
[00:00:00] Intro: Living Undiagnosed
[00:08:04] Meet Mark Cann
[00:09:29] ADHD in the UK Explored
[00:15:02] ADHD Myths vs. Reality
[00:17:18] ADHD Success Strategies
[00:46:28] Intuition as ADHD Strength
[00:47:40] ADHD Calmness Superpower
[00:48:46] ADHD Misconceptions Clarified
[00:55:21] ADHD, Rest, and Diet
[01:05:41] Nutrition's Impact on ADHD
[01:07:56] Personalized ADHD Healthcare
[01:23:42] ADHD Entrepreneurship Challenges
[01:26:44] ADHD Time Management Tips
[01:31:18] Hyperfocus in ADHD Success
[01:36:00] Accountability and ADHD
[01:38:50] Virtual Coworking for ADHD
[01:40:33] ADHD: Breaks for Focus
[01:44:04] ADHD Work Environment Benefits
[01:47:26] ADHD and Tech Solutions
[01:53:07] Decision Making with ADHD
[01:56:19] Networking and ADHD
[02:06:10] Support Networks for ADHD
[02:17:29] ADHD and Intentionality
[02:21:06] ADHD Parenting Journey
[02:33:02] ADHD and AI Healthcare
[02:55:01] ADHD in Workplace Future
// Connect with Mark:
- LinkedIn: @MarkCann
- Website: growthwarriors.co
- Twitter: @MarkyCann
- HYYPA ADHD Platform: hyypa.com
// Connect with Josh Boone:
- Website: joshboone.com
- YouTube: @joshbooneshow
- LinkedIn: @joshboone
- Instagram: @heyjoshboone and @joshbooneshow
- TikTok: @heyjoshboone
// Music by Kirby Johnston.
Check out his band, Aldaraia, on Spotify.
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