Fatima, an Emirati motorcycle adventurer diagnosed with ADHD at 45, shares her journey of breaking boundaries and discovering her authentic self through radical decisions and solo adventures.

• Diagnosed with ADHD at 45 after recognising similar traits in her daughter
• Misdiagnosed with depression for eight years before discovering her true neurological condition
• Completed a solo 2,500 km motorcycle journey from Dubai to Iraq
• Grew up as one of 19 siblings, always looking for ways to stand out and be noticed
• Believes in calculated risks and not waiting for others' permission to pursue dreams
• Advocates for tolerance as a pathway to authentic living
• Struggles but perseveres with parenting her own ADHD daughter
• Challenges stereotypes about women in the Middle East through her adventures
• Balances pushing boundaries with respecting cultural frameworks
• Lives by the philosophy: "I do it for me, because when I know and understand me, I can do many things for everybody around me"

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Jennifer Crichton joins us to explore how ADHD has shaped her successful career in radio and journalism, where constant novelty and deadline-driven tasks perfectly match her neurotype. She shares her late diagnosis journey, triggered by early menopause, and the surprising reaction from her parents who immediately recognised her symptoms from childhood.

• Finding the perfect career fit with ADHD as a fast-paced radio producer and journalist
• Following diagnosis breadcrumbs through others' stories and recognising traits
• Overcoming dismissive medical professionals who initially rejected her concerns
• Discovering the crucial connection between hormonal changes and ADHD symptoms
• Creating a holistic management approach beyond medication including exercise, creative outlets, and sobriety
• Building a relationship with another ADHD partner and the complementary coping strategies they've developed
• Using fidget toys, Lego building, and "sweary word" coloring books to manage mental noise
• Finding the value in late diagnosis as validation rather than seeing it as a missed opportunity

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Jade Al Mulla, leadership coach and Famiigo CEO, shares her journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and navigating the complex emotions of identity, success, and cultural expectations with compassion and humour. Half Emirati, half American, fully unforgettable.

• Meeting through roller derby, a full-contact sport on skates that became unlikely therapy for women in the UAE
• Receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and the complex feelings of grief, relief, and identity questioning that followed
• The concept of the "hobby graveyard" – that collection of abandoned interests gathering dust in the closet
• Finding that success can be more terrifying than failure when it threatens connections to our past
• The "snow globe moment" when everything you thought you knew about yourself gets shaken up
• Cultural differences in approaching neurodiversity and how the UAE is making rapid progress
• Practical strategies like daily journaling and pattern recognition for managing ADHD
• Creating Famiigo, an app designed to help families find activities and make memories together
• The importance of doing one thing that scares you, like appearing on a podcast

Support the show

Follow us on social @fastbrainedwomen and try Endel : http://endel.io/fastbrains