Julie Legg speaks with Kayla Oughton — a Napier-based AuDHD coach and neurodivergent advocate with an eclectic background in construction project management, health coaching, suicide prevention, and digital marketing.

Kayla shares her journey from burnout in a male-dominated construction industry to becoming a voice for ADHDers and autistic women navigating late diagnosis, shame, and self-trust. She talks about the importance of understanding rejection sensitivity, embracing neurodivergent strengths, and leaning into the body’s signals.

This conversation cuts through the fluff and dives deep into what it really looks like to rebuild your life after diagnosis, and long before it. From beast days to slug days, Kayla reminds us all that we are not broken.

Key Points in the Episode:

• How a therapist’s question sparked Kayla’s ADHD diagnosis at 35
• Life inside the chaotic, undiagnosed world of construction project management
• The link between rejection sensitivity and suicidal ideation
• Why shame often hides behind the productivity mask in women
• How understanding ADHD can reframe your entire life story
• The overlap (and contradiction) between ADHD and autism traits
• Why rest, nervous system awareness, and body cues are vital tools
• The reality of success amnesia and the power of small wins
• Kayla's words to those still feeling broken or “too much”

Links:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-oughton/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachkayla

WEBSITE: https://dopamineandco.com/services

MATES4LIFE: https://mates4life.org.nz/

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ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More