December 03
ADHD brains are creative powerhouses, built for innovation, connection, and resilience.
In this episode, Tracy Otsuka sits down with Izzie Chea—a dynamic entrepreneur, educator, and neurodivergence advocate—whose ADHD diagnosis unlocked a world of possibilities. From building a viral virtual piano studio during the pandemic to creating impactful initiatives like La Neuropicante and the Accountable Otters Club, Izzie shares how she turned challenges into opportunities to uplift herself and others.
Izzie opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, the burnout that led to it, and the transformative impact of understanding her brain’s unique wiring. She recounts how growing up in a culturally traditional environment shaped her experiences and how she now advocates for neurodivergent voices, particularly in the Latinx community.
As the head of social media and customer experience for the Hiki app and founder of a successful social media agency, Izzie talks about balancing her many passions while prioritizing mental health. She shares practical strategies for managing time and staying productive, including tools like Llama Life and time-boxing techniques.
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"The impulsivity can be a blessing sometimes because it could be you asking a very interesting and outside-the-box question during a meeting."
- Izzie Chea
"It was never about going viral; it was about giving people something meaningful to do."
- Izzie Chea
"It’s okay to set the bar low if you’re having a low-energy day. Give yourself permission to rest or go down that rabbit hole and learn something."
- Izzie Chea
"We need to melt away the shame and give ourselves permission to do things the way that works for us."
- Izzie Chea
"Understanding that ADHD was at the root of my anxiety and depression brought clarity and helped me start embracing my identity as an openly neurodivergent woman."
- Izzie Chea
- Izzie Chea was diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic after experiencing burnout from managing her virtual piano studio and family responsibilities.
- Initial treatment for anxiety and depression proved ineffective, leading to her correct ADHD diagnosis and successful treatment with Strattera.
- Growing up as a Latina, Izzie struggled with cultural expectations and finding her place, eventually finding connection through music and the arts.
[20:00 - 40:00] Building a Virtual Piano Empire
- During COVID-19, Izzie transformed her in-person piano studio into a successful online platform reaching tens of thousands of students.
- Starting on Facebook and moving to YouTube, she created over 300 lesson videos and built a thriving community through donation-based support.
- Her ADHD traits of creativity, hyperfocus, and adaptability helped her quickly pivot and scale her business during challenging times.
[40:00 - 01:14:22] Current Projects and ADHD Management
- Izzie now manages multiple ventures including the HIKI app, her social media agency La Neurupicante, and the Accountable Otters Club.
- She uses tools like Google Calendar, Toggl, and Llama Life to manage her various projects and maintain productivity.
- Izzie emphasizes the importance of embracing ADHD traits like creativity, big-picture thinking, and constructive impulsivity for entrepreneurial success.
