Jan 18
Melinda Shepherdson’s sense of adventure has led her up mountains, down rivers, and across the world. Her long list of travel destinations is impressive, but what Melinda cares about most on these adventures is her connection with nature. The outdoors provides her with regulation, energy, positivity, and helps to calm her ADHD mind–all benefits she knew she had to share with others when starting a business.
In the last few years, Melinda discovered the Adventure Bush Therapy space and partnered with an experienced outdoor education specialist to create small group programs for children, including autistic individuals and those with ADHD, anxiety, and intellectual disabilities. The work allows her to combine her passion for nature with her desire to help children and the results are pretty incredible.
Join my conversation with Melinda to hear her personal ADHD journey, what her travels have taught her, how she was able to pivot from occupational therapy into the career she has today, the differences in medication when you have ADHD vs. AuDHD, and so much more.
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"I was very good at pretending that everything was okay, but I think I always felt, unless I had somebody who was a very good friend, I always felt quite on the outside or I just didn't quite belong, people didn't quite get me."
- Melinda Shepherdson
"I was really trying to target those children that might not cope in mainstream big sports or might be so anxious about being in those sorts of things. And also there’s that adventure element for me, because I know how much I get from that and the excitement of doing something new and being in nature."
- Melinda Shepherdson
"There's a thing called the biophilia hypothesis, which basically means that as humans, we have an innate connection to nature. It's actually been proven that when we're in nature, it actually changes all our physiological responses."
- Melinda Shepherdson
"When I like something or I get interested in it, I'll just go for it and I've got that supercharged focus."
- Melinda Shepherdson
- Melinda has traveled to over 20 countries, including India, Thailand, and Indonesia, and is planning a surfing and diving holiday in Indonesia next year.
- Melinda shares her experience with ADHD and how she was misdiagnosed for years.
- Melinda struggled with ADHD in high school, often cramming at the last minute and feeling anxious about exams.
[19:54 - 42:46] ADHD, social dynamics, and trauma
- Melinda found it difficult to focus in university, forgetting her keys in the car and attending the wrong lectures on the first day.
- Melinda shares her experience of feeling like she's "too much" as a child, but now helps others embrace their ADHD brains through her coaching program.
- Participants in wilderness therapy experience improved self-esteem and teamwork due to sense of adventure and connection to nature.
- Autistic individuals may have unique presentations and comorbidities, such as ADHD, with varying responses to medication.
- Discussing the challenges of parenting children with complex needs, including societal pressure and the need for different parenting approaches.
- Melinda, shares her experience of living in a beautiful part of the world with lots of adventurous activities nearby, despite being grounded for the past eight years.
Website: https://inmotu.com.au/
Email: ot@inmotu.com.au
Video of a beautiful song our women's choir sang - definitely worth a look. I'm in it! https://youtu.be/LZ_fXuy6R1k?si=2fqJ5UzzpKh4cHW3
