What happens when you finally have language for your life? In this episode of Beyond Distracted, psychologists Anthony Brown and Meagan Cooke are joined by Dr Oli Meredith – an AuDHD academic, public health researcher, and mindfulness practitioner – for a deeply human conversation about late diagnosis, grief, validation, and what it means to stop hiding. Oli shares her journey to an ADHD diagnosis in their 40s, following years of chronic fatigue, burnout, and misdiagnosis. Together, they explore how diagnosis can be profoundly validating even when the assessment process itself falls short, and why "trying harder" was never the answer. The conversation also dives into the often-overlooked intersection of ADHD and autism, particularly for women and gender-diverse people, and how masking, burnout, and internalised shame can shape careers, relationships, and self-worth. Drawing on Oli's research Hiding or Thriving, this episode looks at what truly helps neurodivergent people thrive – from meaningful work and flexible environments to community, honesty, and small but powerful accommodations. This is an episode about permission – to work differently, to rest, to follow curiosity, and to be fully yourself. In this episode, we cover: Late ADHD diagnosis and why it can be so validating ADHD, autism, and internalised hyperactivity Burnout, chronic fatigue, and misdiagnosis in women Grief, relief, and reinterpreting your life story Neurodivergence in academia and the workplace Why "exceptional organisational skills" exclude brilliant people The role of community, language, and lived experience Small accommodations that make a big difference Perfect for anyone navigating ADHD, autism, burnout, or questioning why life feels harder than it should – and for professionals wanting to build more inclusive systems. Key takeaway from this episode: "Diagnosis doesn't change who you are – it gives you language, permission, and compassion for who you've always been.
