ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___This week on Episode #135 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Grace L’Orange. Grace is a school psychologist, behavior specialist, and suicide prevention coordinator working in public education. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and an advanced Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. Passionate about equity, inclusion, and advocacy for all students, especially those with disabilities and other differences, Grace works both directly with students and in educating other adults about the impacts of these differences on daily life.Recently, Grace implemented systemic changes in her district by developing updated policies and procedures for special education and suicide prevention/intervention, focusing on equity and best practices. She serves as Director-At-Large on the board for her state school psychologist association and collaborates with the Suicide Prevention Coalition in her county. Initially drawn to school psychology due to her brother’s struggles with ADHD, Grace was diagnosed with ADHD herself at the age of 32. Since then, she has integrated this new facet of her life into her work as an educator with students with disabilities and behavior challenges.In this episode, Grace shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, the changes she has experienced since then, and how learning about her ADHD shifted her understanding of its presentation in girls. She discusses the alarming number of ADHD women who have attempted suicide and the societal factors contributing to these high rates. Grace provides insights into signs of suicidal ideation and responsible ways to help someone at risk, and she explains how she uses audio journaling to overcome perfectionism, process her thoughts, and speak more kindly to herself. Grace also reveals her key to living successfully with ADHD.______________Resources:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255988lifeline.orgMental Health Crisis Response Program: 1-Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___This week on Episode #134 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Kamden Hainsworth. Kamden lives with her husband and three (almost four) daughters in Springville, Utah. She enjoys spending time in the nearby mountains, traveling, working on home improvement projects, and serving in her community and church. Kamden has worked as an educator in various capacities for over ten years and finds fulfillment in helping others realize their true potential.Years after her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, Kamden received her own ADHD diagnosis at 36 years old. She quickly began advocating for herself and researching how to build an amazing life as an ADHDer. Kamden now assists solopreneurs with ADHD in finding their voice and translating it into their business, particularly with marketing and social media.In this episode, Kamden shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, what has changed since then, and the importance of surrounding herself with people who recognize and appreciate her ADHD gifts. She discusses why social media can be challenging for the ADHD brain, how perfectionism and over-thinking can prevent us from posting online, and how asking, “Who makes the rules about what social media needs to look like?” can help overcome perfectionism and get started. Kamden also offers her strategies for building your online presence one puzzle piece at a time, how determination and trusting her own creativity and problem-solving skills have led to her success, and her #1 ADHD workaround: visuals, visuals, visuals.______________Resources:The ADHDirectoryKamden's InstagramKamden's TikTokSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___This week on Episode #133 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Adrienne Smith, a beekeeper who has been accepted into the Oregon State Master Beekeeper program. Adrienne will take her final journeyperson exam at the end of this month and has been studying honeybee beekeeping since 2014. She resides in Central Oregon with her husband on a small farm where they keep bees, chickens, donkeys, a cat, and some koi fish.Adrienne shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis and her struggle with Auditory Processing Disorder. She discusses how she got into beekeeping after years of "hobby hopping" and why ADHD women are often drawn to careers that go against the status quo. Adrienne also addresses the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, why beekeeping is so appealing to the ADHD brain, her knowledge of native bees and which species need the most protection, and how hyperfocus is her ultimate ADHD strength.Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___This week on Episode #132 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Denese Marshall for a conversation all about ADHD and trauma.Denese Marshall, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and a Nationally Board Certified Counselor. She holds a BA in Psychology, a BA in Criminology, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Denese works with adolescents and adults facing addiction, trauma, and OCD. She is passionate about the acceptance of differences and has authored a bullying prevention book aimed at teaching children ages 4-7 to embrace differences and practice acts of kindness.Denese has experience working with clients with a criminal background, assisting with both rehabilitation/reintegration following incarceration and preparing clients with addiction for incarceration. She believes that while our past or life choices influence our behavior, they do not define who we are. Denese helps clients find meaning in their experiences and develop a sense of peace through understanding their life events.In this episode, Denese shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis, what has changed since her diagnosis, her definition of trauma, and how to distinguish between trauma and ADHD. She discusses the symptoms of trauma, the importance of addressing trauma before working on ADHD executive function issues, what happens to the traumatized brain in the face of discomfort, effective strategies for addressing trauma, and the consequences of not addressing trauma. Denese also offers advice on how to find ADHD professionals who are skilled in both trauma and ADHD.______________Resources:Denese Marshall’s WebsiteSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy for Episode #131 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women as she celebrates the one-millionth download of her podcast and expresses her gratitude for your support and confidence. In this episode, Tracy shares how the podcast has changed her life, discussing what she has learned and how these insights might benefit you as well.Discover what it means to be future-focused versus past-focused, how to determine your own ADHD formula, the importance of not believing everything you think, and why what others say about you is none of your business. Tracy also explores how action generates positive emotion, why it’s never too late and you’re never too old, how to never be bored again, what ADHD women have in common, and three simple steps to moving that big thing forward.Resources:Ep. 93: ADHD, Positive Emotion and Being Future-FocusedSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy for Episode #130 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women where she discusses challenging kids with ADHD and the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) system developed by Dr. Robert Greene. CPS was created to diffuse power struggles between parents and their challenging children, particularly those with explosive behavior issues. It is utilized in juvenile detention facilities, prisons, schools, and, of course, with families worldwide.Tracy explores why, even if you don’t have kids, you can gain insights about yourself from this podcast. She explains why telling an ADHD child what to do doesn’t benefit them or the parent-child relationship over time, and highlights the most crucial role a parent plays in their child’s life. Tracy also reveals the question she always asks when figuring out her next steps, the statement that underpins Dr. Greene’s CPS philosophy and transforms everything, and why switching from a drill sergeant to a coach and collaborator is much more effective with ADHD kids. Additionally, she addresses the problem with lagging skills, how to assess them, the 3-Step CPS system, and whose opinion must be considered to address challenging behaviors.______________Resources:Why Will No One Play with Me?: The Play Better Plan to Help Children of All Ages Make Friends and Thrive, PCC, M.EdThe Explosive Child by Dr. Robert Greenehttps://drrossgreene.com/Dr. Ross Greene Video: Kids Do WelSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy as she welcomes her guest Mrinal to Episode 129 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Mrinal is a writer, business analyst, and mental health advocate based in the Midwest. She just published her first book, Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlighted, to increase education and acceptance on mental health in the South Asian diaspora. Her future goals include teaching self-defense and developing a health and wellness app.Mrinal shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, her struggle with school, what has changed since she was diagnosed, what made her write her book, the model minority stereotype, how the model minority stereotype impacts ADHD, mental health, and affects self-esteem and increases shame, what ADHD strengths make her good at her job, her key to living successfully with ADHD, and her ADHD workaround.______________Resources:Instagram: @mrinalg_Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlightedwww.additudemag.comwww.additudemag.com/mental-healthwww.additudemag.com/forced-smileSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Jessica Fern, a Senior Director of Training & Development and keynote speaker, opens up about her dual ADHD diagnoses and how they shaped her career. She dives deep into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, connecting core beliefs of unworthiness to emotional responses. Jessica shares practical strategies for managing these feelings, like working backwards on emotions and clear communication. She also reveals how her ADHD traits, such as hyperfocus and impulsivity, have fueled her success as a speaker and leader, emphasizing self-awareness and nutrition as key to thriving.

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Join Tracy as she welcomes Adell Bridges to Episode 127 of her podcast, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Adell is an international yoga teacher, health coach, and author who applies her degree in psychology with her training in the neurology of movement to her yoga and movement teachings. She now splits her time between London and Florida and shares her love for the power of mindful movement with her online community on MoveWithAdell.com and her half a million Instagram followers. She is currently co-authoring a book on hyper-mobility.Adell shares the circumstances surrounding her recent ADHD diagnosis, what has changed since she was diagnosed, her advice around managing RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), what made her fall in love with yoga, why yoga is perfect for the ADHD brain, The link between hyper-mobility and ADHD, how she uses her Instagram to inspire and generate positive emotion not only for herself but also her followers, ADHD and vertical heterophoria, ADHD and cerebellar stimulation, and the key to living successfully with ADHD.______________Resources:Instagram: @adellbridgesWebsite: MoveWithAdell.comSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___Today, Tracy welcomes Tiffany Jackson to the podcast. Tiffany shares her indefatigable childhood story of being abandoned by her mother, bouncing from one relative's home to another, and spending one perfect year at an elite boarding high school only to end up at a homeless shelter as a minor. Throughout all of this, Tiffany had a dream to make something out of her life. Since then, she’s graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from the Dan Rather School of Communications at Sam Houston State University, attended a year of law school where she received her ADHD diagnosis, and in 2018, she graduated from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with a Master of Biomedical Science.Tiffany plans to attend medical school and work as a physician epidemiologist. She loves photography and car racing.Tiffany shares her thoughts on how grit, drive, and determination allowed her to keep going despite so many setbacks and challenges, how she sees her drivenness as hyperactivity, the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, her childhood symptoms of ADHD, what happened once she was finally diagnosed, what she’s learned she needs to be successful and happy, what she thinks the key to living successfully with ADHD is, her workarounds, and how she discovered what she’s always meant to do with her life.______________Resources:Email: tiffany.jackson@me.comInstagram: @Texas_SenatorSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com