First, I had to do the work (and I’m still doing it).
I’ve always had an insatiable curiosity to learn science, make connections and then creatively teach what I’ve understood. I vividly remember sitting my parents down in 8th grade to make them a poster board to teach them photosynthesis. By 12th grade I was driving to the University of Minnesota on the weekends to work in a stem cell lab.
But for many years I couldn’t do what I loved, because I had ignored my body . I remember how frequently I was feeling overwhelmed, indecisive, and lacking follow-through were a part of my everyday life.
In my mid-twenties, I was burning my candle at both ends, and I began to pay the price. My body was asking for help through symptoms, but I chose not to listen. I was young, super externally driven, and laser-focused on my performance goals (hello, ADHD fueled perfectionism).
In 2017, while working on my doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), chronic migraines disease, I had recently experienced a head trauma, and this was on top of an ADHD diagnosis. It was time to stop and pivot. It felt like the hardest thing to do, but I knew that my life depended on my stepping into the driver’s seat. I needed support, so I chose to learn how to ask for help.
I now help artists, entrepreneurs and high-achieving people develop self worth, and gain sustainable healthy habits that match their body cycles.
As a corporate coaching professional in the Southern California area, I did more than 1,800 calls helping clients nationally. It was during that time, and from coaching in my own private practice, that I started getting very curious about an ADHD + menstrual cycle pattern.
My professional training blended with my own experience as a person living with, and humbly (sometimes begrudgingly) learning from my own chronic health challenges set the stage for a drive to uncover the ADHD + menstrual cycle connection.
Among the people I worked with who had diagnosed ADHD, I noticed a clear monthly cycle. They would feel well resourced and able to do what was important to them, and then 1-2 weeks would follow with what they often termed ‘crashing.’ I knew what they were talking about because I too felt that cycle in my body.
I used the skills I’ve gathered from my background as a public health researcher in college, trained health coach, certified midwife, women’s health herbal educator to better understand this connection and review what we know from research today.
What I found was shocking
That it is clear that our brain is affected by the changing hormones that govern our menstrual cycle.
It was not studies formally until 2017 and we still only have a handful of studies to look to. .
So, I created my workshop (check the workshop tab) and my @TheADHDcycle instagram account to share what I know and to create awareness so people can use the information from their cycle to their advantage.
I want you to know you are SO not alone, and there are supportive therapies to help
Training and Education
In the order of relevance: Health Coaching Training RedBrick Health completed 2018
Focused ADHD Mindset Coaching member since 2020
Scholars The Life School Coaching member since 2021
Overcoming Codepandancy psychoeducation course by Jodi Staszak LMFT completed 2018
Career Coaching with Shell Mendelson completed 2021
Herbal Medicine For Women Herbalism Training By Dr. Aviva Romm MD, CPM, RH (AGH) since 2014
Commonwealth School of Herbalism Family Herbalist Program since 2019
Doulas of North America Birth Doula Program completed 2013
Doulas of North America Birth Doula Certification completed 2013
Midwife Assistant Workshop at The Farm with Ina May Gaskin completed 2013
Blooma Prenatal Yoga Certification completed 2014
Spinning Babies: Optimal Fetal Position Training with Gail Tully completed 2014
Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification 2014
CorePower Yoga 200-hour teacher training completed 2011
Integrative Resuscitation of the Newborn with Karen Strange completed 2014
Education and Academic Achievements:
Bachelor of Arts, Health: Science, Society and Policy from Brandeis University Magna Cum Laude 2012
North American Registry of Midwives Certified Professional Midwife PEP student 2014-2017
North American Registry of Midwives National Exam passed 2017
Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine Program completed 9 courses of doctorate training at Bastyr University 2017
Academic Papers and Presentations:
Unlocking Your Cycle: Learn to chart your mensural cycle small group course with co-teacher Dr. Emily Kirkwold Pharm. D Published 2021
Heart centered Beginnings: A course for the non-physical changes that happen after having a baby with co-teacher Kori Stephens (https://heartcenteredbeginnings.com) Published 2020
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Annual Student Conference,
“Breast Milk's New Fine Print: An Analysis of Flame Retardants in Human Breast Milk.” presented 2012
“Breast Milk’s New Fine Print: An analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in human breast milk” published Brandeis University 2012