Welcome to episode #95! We’re thrilled to be joined by Elizabeth Kaelin today. Elizabeth Kaelin is a tech founder, award-winning commercialization mentor, and intersectionality business advocate . Her career spans healthcare, tech, venture capital, and corporate leadership , where she helps businesses scale while challenging traditional business norms . Diagnosed with ADHD later in life , Elizabeth shares how she overcame burnout, adapted her leadership style, and built sustainable success . She is passionate about rethinking productivity, advocating for neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and showing how ADHD can be a leadership strength . In this episode, we discuss navigating ADHD as an entrepreneur, energy-based productivity, and how to build a business that actually works for your brain. Welcome to the show, Liz! Questions JN: When did you first realize you had ADHD? Diagnosed three separate times before fully accepting it Initially dismissed the diagnosis due to career success & masking ADHD symptoms became more obvious during burnout & career transitions JN: How did ADHD impact your early career? Worked in dietetics, tech, venture capital & consulting before founding her startup Struggled with executive dysfunction & burnout in structured corporate settings Thrived in entrepreneurship but faced challenges in long-term project management JC: How did your ADHD diagnosis change how you approached work? Stopped trying to "fix weaknesses" & started optimizing strengths Focused on energy-based productivity instead of rigid time management Learned to work with her brain, not against it JN: What was the biggest challenge in building your business as a neurodivergent entrepreneur? Struggled with traditional productivity systems that don’t work for ADHD Had to develop her own strategies for prioritization & decision-making Learned to lean into her strengths rather than force neurotypical approaches JC: What is your approach to productivity now? Uses energy management instead of strict schedules Prioritizes flexibility & intuition over rigid planning Explores non-traditional frameworks like numerology & cyclical planning JN: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you? “Eat the Frog” method (doing the hardest task first) —completely drains motivation Rigid time-blocking & consistency-based productivity hacks Trying to force structure instead of embracing fluidity JC: How do you prevent burnout while managing multiple projects? Learned to listen to her body & mental energy levels Simplifies decision-making using intuition & structured randomness Balances structure with novelty to maintain engagement JN: What is your morning routine like? Uses randomized prompts to keep routines engaging & prevent decision fatigue Focuses on three key things daily (movement, mindfulness, connection) Simulates a commute even when working from home to set mental boundaries JN: How do you wind down at night? Struggles with sleep & phone distractions —uses grayscale & separate phones Listens to music or ambient sounds to shift into relaxation mode Tidies up before bed to avoid waking up in a chaotic environment JN: Where can people connect with you? Instagram: @LizKaelinOfficial: https://www.instagram.com/lizkaelinofficial/ LinkedIn: Elizabeth Kaelin: linkedin.com/in/elizabethkaelin JC: Final words for the audience? “I’d love recommendations for ADHD-friendly digital systems or consultants who help with automation and accountability.” “Managing inattentive ADHD without a second brain system is tough—any tips for setting one up?” More from Focus Bear: Website: https://focusbear.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/ Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.io Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbear Connect with Jeremy: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy Email:
[email protected] Connect with Joey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/ Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/
