In 2017, my life changed in an instant. I was hit by a car while cycling, thrown from my bike, and my helmet cracked open. I suffered a significant concussion with bleeding in my brain. What followed wasn’t just a physical recovery — it was the start of a journey into new territory: self-awareness, resilience, and reinvention.
My life before the Crash
For 17 years, I was a successful business owner. I built a career through hard work and focus, never realizing the way my mind worked was a little different. Looking back, I can see subtle patterns of ADHD — but at the time, I thought I was just “me.”
I was creative, curious, energetic. After the accident, everything changed.
The TBI and Its Aftermath
My short-term memory and other executive functions were critically — sometimes deeply — impaired, especially emotional regulation. I avoided large groups, struggled with focus, and often questioned my mental health. Rumination crept in where joy used to be — a nonstop inner voice of self-doubt and guilt that didn’t feel like mine.
The Physics of My New Mind
Before the injury, my mind felt like a high-ceilinged room — open, able to hold miles of thoughts and memories. Mistakes could rise, spin in the air, and become lessons later. Curiosity had room to wander.
After the TBI, the ceiling came down. The room felt shallower and crowded. At first, it felt like loss — but I noticed something else: the “lower ceiling” condensed what mattered. Sensitivity became clarity. Good listening became deeper presence. My mind was still powerful, just in a new way.
How ADHD Coaching Found Me
Retiring during COVID sounded peaceful, but isolation amplified everything. I needed a new direction.
I enrolled in ADHD coaching training almost on instinct — before I even knew I had ADHD. By week three, I thought, “This is me.” I spoke with my therapist, did an assessment, and got a formal diagnosis.
The diagnosis wasn’t a burden; it was a relief. I wasn’t broken or “going crazy.” I had language and knowledge I could build on. Therapy and training gave me durable wins — not quick hits, but a steady sense of purpose.
What Changed in Me — and What Didn’t
Reading and comprehension still take more effort but I switched to audiobooks. When it’s hard, I call on my inner child to meet the struggle with curiosity and wonder instead of shame.
One unexpected gift is that my listening deepened. I don’t just hear; I’m present. That presence is at the heart of my coaching.I let go of the business I’d built for nearly two decades when I saw how the injury affected my executive function. That was one of the hardest decisions of my life. But in letting go, I opened space for something new: coaching.
I want to share what I’ve learned with others who may be coping with the challenges of ADHD and TBI/ADHD combined. My journey taught me that even when life narrows our path, it can also deepen our purpose.
Letting Go and Moving Forward
If you’re navigating ADHD, TBI recovery, or executive-function challenges, you don’t have to do it alone. I’d love to walk with you as you uncover strengths, reframe challenges, and rediscover the better self within you.
👉 Contact me today to begin your own adaptive journey.
Let’s connect! I’m here to help you navigate life with ADHD and empower you to reach your full potential.
