Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD

Dave is joined by Dana Hargus, founder of Restore Ada and an expert in trauma-informed wellness. Together, they explore how the body "keeps the score" of stress and trauma, the physiological signs of a dysregulated nervous system, and practical modalities like biofeedback and neurofeedback to help busy individuals with ADHD regain their sense of self.
Key Discussion Points
The Reality of Burnout: Burnout is often more than just being "tired" It is a complex state of chronic stress that can be rooted in unresolved trauma.
The ADHD Connection: High-performers with ADHD often operate in a state of constant mental racing, which can mask the subtle physical signs of systemic overload.
The Body Keeps the Score: Even if a person does not have a verbal memory of a traumatic event, the body can retain the physiological impact, often manifesting as chronic pain, migraines, or digestive issues.
Nervous System Dysregulation: Dana explains "fight, flight, or freeze" modes and how a dysregulated system perceives minor stressors as major threats.
Practical Self-Regulation: * Morning Routine: Using the first five minutes of the day for gratitude and positive framing.
The "Sleep is King" Rule: Establishing strict routines, avoiding screens, and aiming for rest by 11:00 PM.
Grounding: The physical benefits of letting sunlight hit your face and placing bare feet on the earth to lower inflammation.
Introduction to Biofeedback for ADHD: An overview of how neurofeedback uses electrodes to monitor brain waves and "exercise" the brain to improve focus, sleep, and stress management.
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Externalizing accountability is the "beating heart" of productivity for the ADHD brain.
Dave sits down with Russ Jones, founder of  "ADHD Big Brother" to dismantle the stigma surrounding accountability. They explore why "internalized" accountability often fails those with ADHD and how shifting to external structures can turn "not now" into "done."
Russ explains the mechanics of "felt accountability" and introduces the game-changing concept of body doubling for busy professionals with ADHD.
Dave and Russ talk about:
Felt Accountability: Moving from internal promises which ADHD brains can struggle with, to external visibility that creates healthy pressure.
The Power of Body Doubling: How working in the presence of others, even virtually, adds a "teaspoon of extra focus" to boring or daunting tasks.
Nagging vs. Support: Understanding that true accountability is an opt-in partnership, whereas nagging is unsolicited and often ineffective.
The "Car Pulls Left" Analogy: Why consistent check-ins are necessary to keep the ADHD brain from drifting off course.
Externalizing the Day: Using "true" calendars and physical notifications to prevent tasks from becoming "part of the furniture."
The Task Audit: Identifying "leaks" in your process, from capturing ideas to handling the "inner tantrum" when it's time to start.
Learn more about Russ Jones and ADHD Big Brother here: https://www.adhdbigbrother.com/leaks 
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Have you ever tried breath work to manage your adult ADHD?
In this episode of Overcoming Distractions, Dave sits down with Kurtis Lee Thomas, a corporate mindfulness trainer and founder of Breathwork Detox.
They explore the critical importance of "hitting the pause button" in a world that demands constant digital engagement.
Kurtis shares his personal journey from suffering a mysterious, debilitating stomach condition to discovering a powerful somatic breathing technique that provided a miracle cure when Western medicine could not.
The conversation dives deep into why high-achieving entrepreneurs and professionals, especially those with ADHD, often struggle with chronic stress and how breathwork can provide immediate relief.
Managing adult ADHD through breath work.
The Power of the Pause: Why professionals and those with ADHD must incorporate intentional breaks to maintain mental clarity and performance.
Breathwork vs. Meditation: Understanding the "umbrella term" of breathwork and why active breathing can be more accessible for chaotic minds than traditional silent meditation.
Stress and the Body: How the body acts as a "living library" for trauma and stress, often manifesting in physical ailments like digestive issues or burnout.
The Digital Defocus: How smartphone habits act as a form of "de-meditation," training our brains to constantly switch channels and lose focus.
The Breathwork Detox Method: A look into this somatic, mouth-breathing technique designed to clear the sympathetic nervous system and release built-up emotional baggage.
Interrupting Rumination: Strategies for breaking the "hamster wheel" of repetitive negative thoughts common in busy leaders.
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

We're doing something new here at Overcoming Distractions. It's called the ADHD minute and it's a quick shorter episode for you the person with the demanding career that just happens to have ADHD.
Ever feel busy but not productive? For busy professionals and executives with ADHD, it's not a time problem, it's a pause and reset problem. This episode introduces a simple 10-minute reset ritual to help you regain focus fast.
When your brain is overloaded, it seeks relief, not priorities and that leads to more distractions and task-switching.
Instead of pushing harder let's learn to reset.
The ritual includes five steps:
• Stop and interrupt the noise
• Breathe to calm your system
• Brain dump everything on your mind
• Decide on ONE high-impact task
• Start small with a 10-minute version
Use this anytime you feel stuck or scattered.
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Dave sits down with John Mollura, a former test operations expert for NASA and the U.S. Military. John shares his journey of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and how he transitioned from viewing his "brain wiring" as a deficit to a high-performance superpower.
From mission-critical field testing in the Mojave Desert to creative problem-solving on spacecraft hardware, John explains how the ADHD brain is uniquely equipped for pattern recognition and decisive action in high-pressure environments.
Our Adult ADHD Discussion:
ADHD and Pattern Recognition: Not everyone agrees that ADHD is a superpower, but many often excel in high-pressure scenarios where others might freeze, thanks to rapid pattern recognition.
The Adult Diagnosis: John discusses how a song by Penn Holderness led him to realize his "focus-based" ADHD was never a lack of effort, but a difference in wiring.
Mission-Critical Problem Solving: A look at "MacGyver-style" solutions John used at NASA, including using ratchet straps and 4x4s to save a spacecraft's launch schedule.
Building Confidence Through Micro-Habits: How keeping small promises to yourself, like flossing or emptying the dishwasher, can train the brain for larger professional successes.
Managing Cognitive Load: The importance of "clearing the decks" of small tasks to pave the way for "flow state" and deep work.
Explanation vs. Excuse: Shifting the mindset from apologizing for ADHD traits to using them as an explanation to implement better guardrails.