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January 19, 2026
What if the most ADHD-friendly “plan” is simply following what lights you up?
In this episode, we’re talking with Clare Adams, a British-Canadian artist, poet, community builder, and humanity advocate who was diagnosed with ADHD at 50, after both of her kids were identified. Clare’s story is full of movement and reinvention: 24 moves, a career that spans law, healthcare, finance, airline operations, marketing, and fundraising, plus a strong pull toward creativity, connection, and service. She also shares how her diagnosis first brought grief and a fix-it mindset, and what helped her come back to self-trust.
We get into what changes when you stop treating ADHD like a trade-off and start seeing the “good and bad” inside the same trait, why supportive environments matter more than willpower, and why connection isn’t optional for long-term wellbeing. Clare also shares the real-world workarounds she relies on (including “racing the kettle”), the phrase that stops her perfection spiral, and the meaning behind “pretirement,” her choice to build a values-led life now instead of waiting for later. If you’ve ever felt pulled between who you are and who the world wants you to be, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.
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“Connection matters because we’re not meant to do this alone.”
- Clare Adams
“I don’t see ADHD as a trade-off anymore. Every trait has a positive side and a challenging side.”
- Clare Adams
“That high energy that gets me into trouble is the same energy that allows me to show up fully when it matters.”
-- Clare Adams
"I don’t define success by titles or status. I define it by whether my work aligns with my values."
-- Clare Adams
"I want to lift others. Whether someone is a CEO or homeless, I want them to feel seen."
- Clare Adams
"The fact that you exist at all is incredible. That alone is enough."
- Clare Adams
"It’s better’ feels kinder than perfection, and it keeps me moving forward."
- Clare Adams
- Tracy introduces Clare’s multi-hyphenate background, and Clare shares the reality behind moving 24 times, including the Channel Islands housing rules.
- Clare explains how her daughter’s assessment opened the door to ADHD awareness, then her son requested an evaluation and Clare recognized herself in the questions.
- She describes her initial reaction as grief and “fix-it” urgency, followed by a painful season that amplified negative self-talk.
[25:00 -50:00] Career Curiosity, Values, and Identity Work
- Clare shares how curiosity and fast learning shaped her non-linear career across healthcare, finance, airline operations, fundraising, and marketing, guided by what felt meaningful.
- She reflects on supportive parenting and why environment and connection can change everything for ADHD women.
- Clare explains how A-OK helped her shift from outside-in labels to inside-out identity, seeing ADHD traits as multidimensional rather than “strengths vs flaws.”
[50:00 - 01:15:28] Compassion Art Creations and Building a Joy-First Life
- Clare describes creating Compassion Art Creations to bring more humanity into everyday life through jewelry, journals, cards, workshops, and nonprofit partnerships.
- She shares her “pretirement” approach: choosing consulting and creative work that aligns with values, variety, and joy instead of returning to traditional full-time employment.
- The episode closes with practical ADHD workarounds (lists, alarms, “race the kettle,” micro-steps) and Clare’s mantra: “It’s better than it was.”
ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem.
That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here
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