The Podcast

We don’t outgrow ADHD, we simply change with it. Join hosts Jami and Justin as we explore the intersection of ADHD and seniors.

Episode 104: When Burnout Leads to Discovery & Why We Need to Pause

What happens when pushing through stops working?

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro talks with Lisa Richer, neurodivergent success partner and founder of Journey to Bloom, about the burnout that forced her to slow down and ultimately helped her better understand herself and her ADHD.

They explore late diagnosis, workaholism, masking, people-pleasing, and what can change when we stop trying to do more and start paying attention to what we actually need.

What You’ll Learn

  • How burnout played a role in Lisa discovering her ADHD
  • What ADHD looked like before she knew she had it
  • Why a diagnosis can inform without defining you
  • How masking and people-pleasing can contribute to burnout
  • Why understanding your strengths and struggles matters
  • How Lisa learned to set boundaries and give herself permission to rest
  • Why it’s never too late to pause and understand yourself better

Before the ADHD Diagnosis

Looking back, Lisa can see ADHD throughout her life. As an elite gymnast, movement helped her stay regulated and focused. In school and later at work, things were harder.

She describes being great at the “messy middle” of a project but struggling with the beginning and end. She could create an entire presentation but get stuck on the title and objectives.

Learning she had ADHD finally gave those experiences context.

Diagnosis Informs, It Doesn’t Define

Lisa never went looking for an ADHD diagnosis. Two different healthcare providers eventually brought it to her attention.

The diagnosis didn’t change who she was. It helped her understand herself and communicate what she needed.

As Lisa says:

“Diagnoses inform, they don’t define who a person is.”

That clarity helped her become more comfortable saying, “That’s easy for you, but what’s hard for you is easy for me.”

When Burnout Forces You to Stop

Lisa spent years pushing herself as an athlete, professional, parent, people-pleaser, and the person who held everything together.

Eventually, she couldn’t keep going.

Burnout forced her to reflect on the masking, pressure, and expectations she had carried for years. It also forced her to finally make room for herself.

Learning to Pause

One of Lisa’s biggest realizations was that doing more didn’t mean she was being more successful.

She started giving herself permission to nap, read, sit outside, and take breaks without seeing them as wasted time. She became more intentional about her work and learned to say no, not yet, or not now.

Her message:

“It’s never too late to pause and learn how to slow down.”

The ADHD Button Question

Would Lisa press a button that meant she never had ADHD?

No.

What she would change is trusting herself sooner, even when other people didn’t understand her.

About Lisa Richer

Lisa Richer is a neurodivergent success partner and founder of Journey to Bloom. She is a COPAA Certified Advocate, author, and creator of the Clarity, Confidence, Courage Journey Map. Her work helps neurodivergent individuals, families, and organizations better understand what they need to thrive.

Resources & Links

Connect with Lisa

Journey to Bloom
Email: lisa@journey2bloom.com

About Jami

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author of This Explains So Much, and host of Grandma Has ADHD. She explores ADHD, aging, late diagnosis, relationships, and what happens when we finally understand how our brains work.

Learn more about Jami

Sometimes doing less isn’t giving up. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need to keep going.

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