Feb 1
In Episode #43 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy speaks with the delightful Megan Margaret Burlingame. Megan is 34 years old, a wife and the mother of two very busy boys. Throughout her childhood, Megan struggled mightily with her ADHD but is clear about the fact that her struggles also led her to discover her Superpowers. Today Megan lives in Arlington, WA where she works with cities, counties and government agencies to advise them on zoning and legal land issues. In her free time, she operates a small flower farm where she also grows a large variety of organic heirloom tomatoes.
Tracy invited Megan to her podcast after she posted this response to another member (of her ) who said she was having trouble seeing anything positive about her ADHD. “The more I educate myself about it, the more I realize that it makes me who I am. I am so so good with people, I understand their natures and moods. Sometimes it is like a wave of emotions that hits me when I enter a room and, while inconvenient, let me see the true nature of people. I am also much more empathetic because of how much I was picked on for skipping around school constantly, saying the wrong things, laughing too loud, etc. I love to root for the underdog and think that cruelty from others for any reason is horrendous. In a crisis or when someone is swamped with work, I can jump in and formulate a plan, execute it with a maniacal glee, and excel beyond my peers. Megan’s revelation around taking medication Non-pharmacological workarounds Megan’s best advice to those who are struggling with their ADHD and/or are parents of children with ADHD.
APPLE
SPOTIFY
YOUTUBE
"In a crisis or when someone is swamped with work. I can jump in and formulate a plan execute it with I practice this word, but I don't know why I always mispronounce it, execute it with a maniacal glee."
- Megan Burlingame
"I love to fail. It is like a challenge."
- Megan Burlingame
" I am also much more empathetic because of how much I was picked on for skipping around school constantly saying the wrong things laughing too loud, etc."
- Megan Burlingame
- Megan shares her journey of overcoming struggles in school and finding her strengths through a TED Talks video by HD (Jessica) of How to ADHD.
- Megan and Tracy discuss their experiences with interpersonal intuition, including being able to sense the energy in a room and feeling anxious or wound up in negative environments.
- Megan shares how she has become more empathetic due to being picked on in school, and Tracy Otsuka relates to this experience.
[16:24 - 31:21] ADHD, Exercise, and Coping Mechanisms
- Megan discusses how her ADHD can sometimes lead to inappropriate comments, but she always means well and apologizes when necessary.
- Megan and Tracy discuss the effectiveness of exercise for managing ADHD symptoms, with Tracy finding it helpful for mood and focus, and Megan sharing that medication works for her but she also uses non-pharmacological workarounds.
- Megan shares her experience with ADHD, feeling like she's not good enough and struggling with self-doubt, but then realizes that her ADHD can be a strength and a part of her identity.
[31:21 - 41:20] ADHD, Self-Acceptance, and Mental Health
- Megan shares her experience with ADHD and how it has impacted her life, including being misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety.
- Megan shares her experiences with ADHD and motherhood, encouraging others to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses.
- Megan shares stories of her ADHD experiences and how it has impacted her life.
