THE CHERRY TREE THEORY: Why changing your environment is the key to personal growth

03/04/25 • 25 min

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What if the reason you’re struggling isn’t you—but the environment you’re in? In this episode, Rox and Rich dive into The Cherry Tree Theory, a powerful way to reframe personal growth, self-sabotage, and why some people thrive while others feel stuck.
They break down why self-blame keeps you trapped, how past experiences shape your ability to grow, and why the right environment is more important than just "trying harder." Instead of forcing yourself to change, what if you changed the conditions around you? Taking inspiration from Mother Nature herself they reveal five surprising steps for personal thriving:
1) Stop poisoning yourself
2) Heal your roots
3) Start pruning
4) Find new soil
5) Nurture your growth
If you’ve ever felt stuck, like personal growth isn’t working, or like something invisible is holding you back—this episode might just change the way you see yourself forever.

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THE SHAME SPIRAL: How to stop feeling like a failure and embrace who you are

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Why do so many people with ADHD struggle with shame? In this episode, Rox and Rich break down the cycle of self-criticism, exploring how productivity culture, masking, and forgetfulness fuel feelings of failure. Rox opens up about her own experiences with shame—from harsh self-talk and fear of judgment to the pressure to appear "put together"—and how it impacted her relationships, creativity, and mental health.
Rich shares his perspective on supporting a partner with ADHD, highlighting the importance of compassion, communication, and breaking free from unrealistic expectations. Together, they unpack the difference between shame and guilt, why self-acceptance is essential, and how reframing your inner dialogue can transform your self-esteem.
You’ll also hear practical tools for overcoming shame, including:

Rewriting negative narratives about yourself
Letting go of perfectionism and over-apologizing
Doubling down on your strengths instead of fixating on your struggles
Surrounding yourself with people who see and accept the real you

If you've ever felt like you're "not good enough" or that your ADHD makes you a failure, this episode is a reminder: You are not broken. And it's time to start believing that.

Next Episode

THE ART OF STARTING AGAIN: 4 game-changing steps for success

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, we're talking about starting again—whether it’s your career, your side hustle, or your entire life. We’re breaking down the four steps to starting over: Identity, Change, Delusion, and Commitment. Sounds simple, right? It wasn’t.
We’re sharing the messy truth about our own failures—failed businesses, flopped albums, quitting jobs, and giving up on ourselves (more than once). Rox talks about abandoning 25 business ideas (including the infamous House of Resin), and Rich opens up about staying stuck in a job he hated for 20 years before finally taking a risk.
If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to start over, this episode is your sign. Because we did it... in our late 30s and 40s. And if we can, you can.
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