ADHD Beyond The Label
ADHD Beyond The Label
Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds
Is ADHD a roadblock to success, or could it be a hidden superpower in business and life?
 ADHD is often misunderstood, reduced to stereotypes of inattention and distraction. Yet, some of the world’s most successful business leaders and creatives have been diagnosed with the condition. In this insightful series, Dr. Phil Anderton and John Reynolds challenge common misconceptions, speaking with high achievers from business and media about their real-life experiences with ADHD.
Perfectly Imperfect: Female Leadership, ADHD and Letting Go of Perfection | ADHD Beyond the Label
In this episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds are joined by entrepreneur and architect Martina Tararuj, who shares her powerful journey from late ADHD diagnosis to leading a global community of over 850 female CEOs.Diagnosed as an adult, Martina reflects on growing up in a time when ADHD in girls was largely misunderstood or overlooked. Despite academic success and professional achievement, she often felt different, driven by creativity, intuition, and deep focus on subjects she loved, while struggling with motivation in others.Now working with hundreds of high-achieving women, Martina reveals a striking insight: many female leaders share similar ADHD traits, creativity, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to think differently, yet still battle perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt.Together, the conversation explores the hidden strengths of ADHD in leadership, the dangers of perfectionism, and the importance of creating safe spaces where women can be authentic, imperfect, and empowered to fail fast and learn faster.This episode offers inspiration not only for women navigating ADHD, but for the next generation of girls growing up in a world that is finally beginning to understand neurodiversity and the extraordinary potential that comes with thinking differently.
Apr 25
29 min
From Survival to Spotlight: Emily Victoria’s Journey Beyond Trauma | ADHD Beyond the Label
In this deeply moving episode of Extraordinary Life Stories, John Reynolds and Dr Phil Anderton sit down with documentary-maker Emily Victoria, whose powerful film A Pedophile in My Family: Surviving Dad has reached number one on Netflix.Emily bravely shares her story of surviving severe childhood abuse, navigating motherhood, and recently receiving an ADHD diagnosis that reshaped her understanding of herself and her family. Together, they explore the complex intersections of trauma, neurodivergence, resilience, and healing.This is a conversation about courage, awareness, and the importance of understanding—not just surviving, the past. Emily’s story is not only one of survival, but of transformation, advocacy, and hope.
Apr 18
31 min
THE REAL SUCCESS IS WHO I AM TODAY | Maxine Laceby, co-founder of Absolute Collagen | ADHD Beyond the Label
From an art-school project at 50 to one of the UK's fastest-growing beauty brands, meet Maxine Laceby, CEO and co-founder of Absolute Collagen.This week on ADHD Beyond the Label, Maxine Laceby joins hosts Phil Anderton and John Reynolds to share how a kitchen-table experiment became Absolute Collagen, the award-winning marine collagen brand founded by women, for women.Maxine shares how her ADHD has been both a challenge and a driving force:Impulsivity that pushed her to take bold, game-changing risksHyperfocus that fuelled her relentless drive for growthResilience built through a turbulent childhoodTogether, they unpack the lessons of entrepreneurship, the link between ADHD and creativity, and what it truly takes to embrace being different, in life, in business, and in yourself.
Apr 10
31 min
Lawrence Dallaglio | Episode 6 | ADHD Beyond the Label
In Episode 6 of ADHD Beyond the Label, former England Rugby Captain and RugbyWorks founder, Lawrence Dallaglio joins Dr Phil Anderton, PhD and John Reynolds to share his powerful perspective.With diagnoses on the rise, Lawrence speaks out about what the system is getting wrong. He exposes the lack of teacher training and a culture that still mistakes conditions like ADHD for misbehaviour.A champion for change, he calls for more training, better understanding, and real solutions before more young lives are misjudged.
Apr 10
43 min
IS ADHD THE KEY TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP? | Francesca James | ADHD Beyond the Label
Francesca James is the founder of the Great British Entrepreneurs Award and Ideas fest. She's built a career around championing entrepreneurs and creating space for bold ideas.Just four days after receiving her ADHD diagnosis, she joined Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds in Episode of 12 of ADHD Beyond the Label to explore how long-standing traits behind her success are finally starting to make sense.Hyperfocus. Avoidance. Emotional intensity. The obsession with new ideas... and the GoDaddy graveyard to prove it.Together, they explore why ADHD is so common among entrepreneurs, and what changes when you finally understand your wiring.
Apr 10
34 min
Elizabeth Hutton OBE, From Hobby Graveyard to National Impact: ADHD After 40 | ADHD Beyond the Label
Diagnosed with ADHD at 44, Elizabeth Hatton OBE shares how a lifetime of being labelled “scatty” and disorganised suddenly made sense, and how menopause brought her hidden symptoms to the surface.In this powerful episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds speak with Elizabeth about late diagnosis in women, raising a neurodivergent child, navigating surgical menopause, and overcoming the barriers to getting assessed.Elizabeth also shares the deeply personal story behind her work with the charity Kicks Count, campaigning to reduce stillbirth rates and improve awareness of baby movements, work that ultimately earned her an OBE.Together, they explore:- Why many women are diagnosed with ADHD later in life- The overlap between menopause and ADHD symptoms- Real-life coping strategies that actually work at home- The challenges of NHS waiting lists and diagnosis barriers- How ADHD strengths, persistence, passion, and hyperfocus — can drive real-world change- Turning grief into purpose and advocacyThis episode is a powerful reminder that ADHD is not just a diagnosis, it’s a story of resilience, identity, and purpose.
Mar 28
29 min
TJ Powers | Neuroscientist | ADHD Brain: Dopamine, Focus & Thriving in a Digital World
In this episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, hosts Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds sit down with neuroscientist and bestselling author TJ Power to explore the science behind attention, motivation, and mental wellbeing in a hyper-digital world.Together, they unpack how modern lifestyles are reshaping our brain chemistry, especially dopamine and what that means for people living with ADHD.TJ introduces his groundbreaking DOSE framework, offering practical, science-backed strategies to rebalance the brain, improve focus, and build sustainable habits.From “phone addiction” to attention burnout, this episode challenges the way we think about ADHD, not as a limitation, but as a system that can be understood, supported, and optimised.If you’ve ever struggled with focus, motivation, or feeling overwhelmed in a world designed to distract you, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and hope.
Mar 21
40 min
High Energy, Deep Purpose: Pandora Christie on ADHD, Authenticity & Finding Your Path
Radio presenter Pandora Christie joins Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds for a vibrant and deeply personal conversation about curiosity, creativity, and the possibility of ADHD.From thriving in the fast-paced world of live radio to reflecting on friendships, focus, and self-understanding, Pandora explores what it means to recognise neurodivergent traits later in life.The conversation goes far beyond broadcasting. Pandora opens up about her childhood experiences of homelessness, the resilience of her mother, and how those experiences fuel her mission to support vulnerable communities today.Together they explore ADHD in women, the importance of diagnosis and self-awareness, and how understanding your brain can transform chaos into purpose.This episode is an honest, high-energy journey about identity, compassion, and embracing who you truly are.
Mar 14
33 min
Belonging on Her Own Terms: Marie Weidlich’s ADHD Journey from Diagnosis to Advocacy | ADHD Beyond the Label
In this powerful episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds are joined by Marie Weidlich, a fintech marketing professional, fashion creator, and ADHD advocate whose journey spans continents, challenges, and transformation.Born and raised in Brazil before moving to London, Marie spent years feeling like she didn’t belong. From severe bullying at school and the loss of her grandfather to suicide, to navigating life undiagnosed with ADHD while building a career in the City, Marie’s story is one of resilience, determination, and self-discovery.After receiving a life-changing ADHD diagnosis as an adult, everything began to make sense. With a new sense of self-empathy and clarity, Marie not only rebuilt her own narrative but also turned her experience into action, launching a petition that sparked discussion in the UK Parliament about improving access to ADHD diagnosis and treatment.Alongside her advocacy and career in fintech, Marie also built London Fashion Today, a global fashion and travel platform that has empowered thousands of women to travel, create, and express themselves.This is a deeply honest conversation about identity, resilience, and what happens when someone finally understands themselves and uses that understanding to create change for others.A story of survival, purpose, and empowerment you won’t want to miss.
Mar 7
40 min
ADHD & The Addictive Brain: From Chaos to Conscious Pause | Emily Syphas | ADHD Beyond the Label
“You kind of live in an oxymoron when you’ve got ADHD.”In this powerful and deeply honest episode of ADHD: Beyond The Label, Dr Phil Anderton and John Reynolds sit down with Emily, hospitality leader and founder of the sober-curious community Sober & Social to explore the addictive patterns that can quietly shape an ADHD life.From drinking at 12 to thriving in nightlife culture, Emily shares how alcohol and drugs became a way to quiet a noisy brain. What started as curiosity evolved into self-medication, a common but rarely unpacked ADHD trajectory.But this isn’t just a story about addiction. It’s about awareness. It’s about hyperfocus turning into burnout. It’s about swapping substances for work obsession. It’s about dopamine, community, caffeine, kettle chips… and mushroom coffee. It’s about learning that the ADHD brain doesn’t stop being “addictive”, it just learns where to place its energy.In a candid conversation, the trio explore:- Why ADHD and addictive behaviours are so closely linked- The progression from alcohol to drugs — and the rarely discussed reversal- Hyperfocus, burnout and “productive addiction”- The power of community in recovery- Choosing healthier dopamine sources- And why taking a conscious pause might be the bravest move of allEmily’s journey isn’t about erasing her addictive side, it’s about understanding it, befriending it, and directing it with intention.This episode is honest, hopeful and incredibly relatable for anyone who’s ever swung between extremes. Because sometimes growth isn’t about doing more. Sometimes it’s about pressing pause.
Feb 28
36 min
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