In this episode, I’m joined by Sammi, an AuDHD woman whose life story is defined by determination, resilience, and her mantra: “never say never.”

From flying solo with the Royal Air Force at just 19 to running her own chemical company, Sammi shares a remarkable journey of persistence through both personal and professional challenges. We explore her experiences of OCD, hyperlexia, and mental health struggles, alongside her creative work—including performing a one-woman show about her neurodivergence and writing two books simultaneously.

Sammi also opens up about her lifelong experience with hormones—from starting her periods at 11, to motherhood, and the significant challenges she has faced during perimenopause. We discuss ADHD medication, the impact of hormonal changes, and the ways she supports her mental health through creativity, including writing poetry and macro photography.

This is an inspiring and honest conversation about resilience, identity, and navigating perimenopause as a neurodivergent woman. A powerful reminder that, no matter how difficult life becomes, it’s always possible to keep going.

www.sammiford.com

www.linkedin/in/SammiFord

www.neurodivergentthoughts.substack.com

www.instagram.com/SammiFordArt

www.facebook.com/SammiFordArt

In this episode, I’m joined by Renee, an autistic and ADHD woman whose life story is one of extraordinary resilience.

From being a hyperlexic and gifted child, Renee faced significant challenges growing up—navigating difficult experiences at school alongside complex family circumstances, including her mother’s mental health struggles and her father’s terminal illness diagnosis.

We talk about early trauma, including her experiences around puberty, and the lasting impact these moments can have. Renee also shares her journey through motherhood, including a life-threatening childbirth and the long recovery that followed.

Despite ongoing challenges, Renee continued to pursue education, earning her qualifications while working across a range of roles—from teaching assistant to accountancy and tutoring. She now lives with multiple chronic conditions, including hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS, alongside chronic pain.

As she entered perimenopause, everything intensified—creating what she describes as a “perfect storm” of physical, emotional, and neurological challenges.

Through it all, Renee speaks with honesty about the importance of perseverance, the deep love she has for her family, and how she now supports children through her own outreach work—bringing understanding to those with complex and intersecting needs. This is a deeply moving conversation about trauma, neurodivergence, chronic illness, and navigating perimenopause against the odds.

https://www.shoot4themooneducation.com/

Ep.27. S4. Ep3

Caroline Ross is an NLP Practitioner and Coach. She runs her outdoors fitness company 'Mamaste", supporting new mothers after childbirth.

Caroline spoke so honestly during our conversation about how challenging her mental health became during peri menopause as a woman with both autism and ADHD. Caroline is AuDHD.

What is so inspiring are the many ways Caroline finds to improve her emotional wellbeing and physical fitness during her menopause journey.

Ep 27. S4. Ep3

This Podcast is truly inspiring for anyone navigating neurodivergence and perimenopause.

We spoke about diet, movement, hobbies and a lot about mental health. so many women still don't fully understand about the connection and challenges between autism, ADHD and our changing hormones.

A full podcast not to missed!

Links for Caroline

In this episode, I’m joined by writer, producer, and film director Sam Grierson, an autistic and ADHD woman who was diagnosed later in life.

Sam shares her journey to diagnosis at 43, and how she once believed her struggles were explained by being gay—only to later discover there was much more to understand about herself. We explore the complex process of grieving a younger self, navigating labels, and ultimately finding peace in simply being “Sam.”

Now in perimenopause, Sam opens up about the intense impact of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), from small everyday comments to deeper creative criticism like “your work lacks depth.” We also discuss mood swings, cycle awareness, and the importance of tracking symptoms, taking supplements, and avoiding big decisions during certain phases.

As a highly creative person, Sam shares how staying busy and working on meaningful projects supports her mental health—alongside life in Yorkshire with her wife, children, and two dogs.

This is an honest and powerful conversation about late diagnosis, identity, creativity, and navigating perimenopause as a neurodivergent woman.

https://www.socrocodile.com/thepause

My guest on today’s podcast is Lii Brookes. Lii is an autistic Therapist, working with autistic professionals, a Data Analyst and a busy mum, and she’s also just about to embark on a 7-year doctorate around autism.

Lee panicked when peri menopause first arrived, but made the decision to embrace what her changing body meant and shares her journey about her dreams of a wonderful old cottage in Kent, her unusual and fun exercise choice and the ways she looks after her emotional and physical self.

It’s great to talk with another Therapist and Lee shares how she conducts her therapy sessions in a holistic and goal-driven approach.

Dyslexia is much more than having difficulty with spelling and reading. Dyslexia leaves kids behind, and this impacts on friendships, peer groups, status and confidence, leading to the child feeling like a failure.

Andy shares his life experiences of being diagnosed dyslexic at school aged five, to coming out of university with not one, but two Masters degrees!

Andy's sheer determination got him results. Now he helps others as a Psychologist and Business Coach to ensure other neurodivergent people get all the support they need to build for success.

Find out more and connect with Andy:

andy@reddycoaching.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyreddy/