What improv and a late ADHD diagnosis taught me about resilience.

In 2020, the world felt like it was imploding. For me, that wasn’t just a metaphor.

Between the global pandemic, a tornado, and a "derecho" windstorm that sent a tree limb through my roof like a shish kebab, my "operating system" was being pushed to the absolute limit. At the time, I didn't know I had ADHD. I just knew I had to change how I was showing up for my family and my business.

I recently sat down with Eddie Francis on his For Our Edification podcast to discuss the journey from that "perfect storm" to the launch of Wise Squirrels. We covered a lot of ground from the "ADHD superpower" myth to the power of a simple breath.

Here are the four biggest takeaways from our conversation:

1. The "Wise Squirrel" Rebrand

I was diagnosed with ADHD at 50. For years, I’d seen the "squirrel!" memes used as a punchline for being distracted. But for those of us diagnosed later in life, there is an inherent wisdom in our journey. We’ve spent decades developing coping mechanisms, masking, and navigating a neurotypical world. "Wise Squirrels" isn’t about being scattered; it’s about honoring the resilience and experience that comes with the diagnosis.

2. Improv is a Leadership Strategy

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My time learning improv with Second City in Toronto taught me the most important rule of leadership: Leading with Acceptance. In improv, if your partner says you’re a plumber, you don’t argue that you’re a doctor. You say, "Yes, and..."

When the speaking industry evaporated overnight in 2020, I had to accept the "give" the world handed me. Improv isn't just about being funny; it's about thinking fast, listening actively, and pivoting when the script changes - this is why I created The Master Communicator’s Secret Weapon keynote and workshop.

3. Is ADHD Really a Superpower?

We hear this a lot, but I’ll be candid: I have mixed feelings. While ADHD can bring immense creativity, calling it a "superpower" can be a bit of a privilege. If you have the resources to fail, it feels like a gift. For the rest of us, it’s a complex operating system that requires grace, treatment, and a lot of work to manage. It’s okay if your ADHD doesn’t feel like a superpower today sometimes; just understanding how your brain works is the real win. And you can still discover your true superpower here.

4. The Power of Proximity

We are living through a loneliness epidemic that the Surgeon General once compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Algorithms are designed to stoke fear and division, but they can't replicate the feeling of a face-to-face conversation. Whether it’s "Geek Breakfast" or a simple walk to talk to a neighbor, my mission is to get people out of their houses and back into their communities.

I loved Eddie’s approach to interviewing me. His final question really made me pause to think…

If I could write one thing in the sky for the world to see, what would it be?

Be Kind. But remember, you have to put on your own oxygen mask first. Know yourself, respect yourself, and then you can truly connect with the world.