Episode
Build self trust the ADHD friendly way one promise at a time
- Published
- Apr 17, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 5164
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Summary
ADHD at Work and at Home: Motivation, Masking, and Real Support with Dr. Saara Haapanen What happens when an Olympic-level athlete-turned-psychologist maps ADHD from the inside—and shows us what actually helps? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Saara Haapanen to explore ADHD beyond stereotypes. You’ll hear how almost making the Olympics, years of elite sport, and a late ADHD diagnosis shaped her work helping individuals and organizations create environments where neurodivergent people can truly perform. I reveal the key questions I ask to shift shame into self-trust, while Sara shares a simple motivation model you can remember and use today. You’ll discover why “just focus” backfires, what looks like laziness but isn’t, and the one feedback change workplaces can make that instantly eases RSD. We also get into perimenopause, parenting through a child’s assessment, and the very real emotional load adults carry—plus the small language tweaks that lower demand and raise follow-through. By the end, you’ll be asking: Which part of motivation do I boost first? How do I request support at work without feeling exposed? And what would change if I spoke to myself like my own best friend? About the Guest Dr. Saara Haapanen is a sports and exercise psychology PhD, former elite diver ranked 30th in the world, and founder of Performance Is Haapanen. Since 2013, she’s coached high performers and advised schools, healthcare systems, and companies on neurodiversity, motivation, and well-being. Key Timestamps 0:02 – Meet Dr. Saara Haapanen and her path from elite sport to health and performance 4:40 – Finland, near-Olympic selection, and the spark that led to sports psychology 11:26 – “I know what to do—why am I not doing it?” Motivation without a map 16:14 – From her own diagnosis to…