My Personal Journey

I am a mother of two teenagers, a wife, a project manager and, more recently, an AudHD coach and mentor. I live in Scotland. 

I received my ADHD diagnosis in February 2024 and my Autism diagnosis three months later. I was 53! Getting both diagnoses was crucial for me. It helped me focus on exactly what I needed to improve my wellbeing. I finally had a way to support my specific wiring, and I could design my lifestyle to match it.

For most of my adult life, I never knew ADHD or Autism were possible reasons for my emotional, social, and health struggles. I knew nothing about them, nobody around me was talking about such things. My parents, healthcare professionals and teachers didn’t spot either condition when I was growing up, despite all the signs being there. 

Since I can remember, I struggled with focus, procrastination, overwhelm, tiredness, anxiety-related tummy cramps, and brain fog. I was really good at masking, maybe too good. I thought if I just tried harder, things would get better and easier. Of course, they didn't, and that way of life is exhausting! As an adult, I have experienced episodes of intense overwhelm and exhaustion, so much so I couldn't work for weeks at a time. 

From my early teens, I have been into self-development and wellbeing, always on a quest to improve various aspects of my life. However, I felt like I was just spinning my wheels trying to find something to make me feel better. I tried really hard at everything I did but I was constantly not quite getting to the desired end point,  under achieving or losing interest after a few weeks.  I got so frustrated with self-development programs, books and experts that told me I needed to get out of my comfort zone to succeed. What comfort zone? Every day was a challenge and felt uncomfortable! All of which made me feel like I wasn't good enough or not trying hard enough.

That was frustrating, confusing, and honestly, soul-destroying. It felt too difficult and overwhelming to try to move from one discomfort zone to another. It didn't feel like self-care, and it wasn't sustainable. 

A few years leading up to my diagnoses and after my diagnoses, a lot clicked into place. With focused research, ADHD medication, and ADHD-informed coaching, I got off that out-of-control rollercoaster of emotions. I now have tools to understand and navigate my feelings, both pleasant and unpleasant. I feel so much better about myself and actually look forward to each day. From my newfound comfort zone, I can set intentions (goals) and trust that I can work on them more consistently, enjoy the process, and succeed on my own terms.

I named my company Pleasant Within because now that I understand emotions better I spend more time experiencing pleasant emotions rather than unpleasant.  I’m no longer trying to run away from ‘bad’ emotions or chase after ‘good’ emotions. All emotions are there to guide us. 

Due to the fact  I have both diagnoses and live with them everyday of my life, I feel I can offer unique AudHD support. There isn't much out there for people with both ADHD and Autism. A lot of coaches and therapists are either not neurodivergent informed or very specialized in just ADHD or Autism. That's why I became a coach myself, to help those who face the diverse challenges of having both. I am so passionate about helping others in similar situations, no matter their age or where they are in their journey.