Life is Sweeter with ADHD Insight with Bethany Joy Lenz
11/01/23 • 41 min
I had the pleasure of sitting down with actress, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker Bethany Joy Lenz to discuss her journey with ADHD. Bethany opened up about how she went undiagnosed until adulthood and the relief she finally felt once she understood how her brain worked differently.
In our conversation, Bethany opens up about living undiagnosed for so long, pushing through challenges on willpower alone, and the incredible relief she felt once she understood how her brain worked differently. Even with a packed schedule juggling acting, music, a lifestyle newspaper, podcast, and motherhood, Bethany has found more peace and success by learning how to manage her ADHD. She shares her story so others may see themselves and know they are not alone. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Bethany Joy Lenz is best known for playing Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. Since the show, she has continued acting while also pursuing music and creative projects like her lifestyle newspaper Modern Vintage News.
Episode Highlights
[01:52] - How Bethany discovered she likely had ADHD.
[03:16] - The relief of diagnosis after years of feeling something was wrong.
[04:46] - Bethany got an official diagnosis 6 months after self-diagnosing.
[05:30] - How medication helped Bethany's focus and feeling overwhelmed.
[07:19] - Playing to strengths and not beating yourself up over weaknesses.
[08:39] - Being careful with medication due to addiction history.
[09:30] - Managing friend expectations and communicating neurodivergence.
[13:00] - ADHD symptoms can look so different yet still recognize each other.
[15:30] - Never struggled to memorize scripts thanks to hyperfocus.
[18:37] - Remembering facts/data hard because of dyscalculia.
[19:52] - Timers, limits, scheduling help juggle everything.
[22:26] - High control groups prey on neurodivergent people.
[27:55] - Hard to distinguish narcissist traits vs ADHD challenges.
[31:57] - Brooke’s EMDR experience and feeling emotions.
[35:35] - Compartmentalizing emotions when acting vs everyday life.
[38:07] - What Bethany's cooking: Modern Vintage Newspaper and ‘Strawberries’ Song.
Connect with Bethany Joy Lenz:
· Modern Vintage News Lifestyle Newspaper: https://www.modernvintagenews.com/
· Instagram: @msbethanyjoylenz and @modernvintagenews
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Successful with ADHD. If you enjoyed this conversation, please +FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to let us know your thoughts.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
I had the pleasure of sitting down with actress, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker Bethany Joy Lenz to discuss her journey with ADHD. Bethany opened up about how she went undiagnosed until adulthood and the relief she finally felt once she understood how her brain worked differently.
In our conversation, Bethany opens up about living undiagnosed for so long, pushing through challenges on willpower alone, and the incredible relief she felt once she understood how her brain worked differently. Even with a packed schedule juggling acting, music, a lifestyle newspaper, podcast, and motherhood, Bethany has found more peace and success by learning how to manage her ADHD. She shares her story so others may see themselves and know they are not alone. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Bethany Joy Lenz is best known for playing Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. Since the show, she has continued acting while also pursuing music and creative projects like her lifestyle newspaper Modern Vintage News.
Episode Highlights
[01:52] - How Bethany discovered she likely had ADHD.
[03:16] - The relief of diagnosis after years of feeling something was wrong.
[04:46] - Bethany got an official diagnosis 6 months after self-diagnosing.
[05:30] - How medication helped Bethany's focus and feeling overwhelmed.
[07:19] - Playing to strengths and not beating yourself up over weaknesses.
[08:39] - Being careful with medication due to addiction history.
[09:30] - Managing friend expectations and communicating neurodivergence.
[13:00] - ADHD symptoms can look so different yet still recognize each other.
[15:30] - Never struggled to memorize scripts thanks to hyperfocus.
[18:37] - Remembering facts/data hard because of dyscalculia.
[19:52] - Timers, limits, scheduling help juggle everything.
[22:26] - High control groups prey on neurodivergent people.
[27:55] - Hard to distinguish narcissist traits vs ADHD challenges.
[31:57] - Brooke’s EMDR experience and feeling emotions.
[35:35] - Compartmentalizing emotions when acting vs everyday life.
[38:07] - What Bethany's cooking: Modern Vintage Newspaper and ‘Strawberries’ Song.
Connect with Bethany Joy Lenz:
· Modern Vintage News Lifestyle Newspaper: https://www.modernvintagenews.com/
· Instagram: @msbethanyjoylenz and @modernvintagenews
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Successful with ADHD. If you enjoyed this conversation, please +FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to let us know your thoughts.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
Previous Episode
How Navy SEAL Andrew “Sully” Sullivan Thrived with ADHD
Trigger Warning: this episode discusses sensitive topics about suicide and traumatic injuries.
I had the honor of speaking with Andrew “Sully” Sullivan, a retired Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Navy SEAL. Andrew shared his incredible story of being diagnosed with ADHD in high school but not letting that stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL.
Andrew completed the notoriously grueling SEAL training and went on to have a nearly 20-year distinguished career full of combat tours and commendations. Andrew explained how the high-intensity, team-focused environment of special operations was perfectly suited for someone with ADHD. He never felt the need to disclose his diagnosis because his teammates naturally complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
We also discussed the mental health challenges many veterans face after transitioning out of service. Andrew now runs a nonprofit (503c) called the Community First Project that ensures the quality and integrity of the nation's law enforcement agencies.
Timeline Summary:
[01:07] - Andrew's distinguished military career, awards, and current ventures.
[03:32] - Andrew’s decision to serve in the military and how he approached it with ADHD.
[05:42] - Taking medication while serving.
[07:33] - Follow through is easier with a purpose.
[09:01] - The mental and physical toughness of SEALs training and the prime age for it.
[11:32] - How the Special Ops environment caters to ADHD strengths.
[14:32] - The struggle while exiting service and losing that community.
[15:14] - Adderall medication struggles to help study in college and a surprising way to focus.
[16:32] - Sneaky ways to get the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for ADHDers.
[17:45] - Andrew’s most difficult time in service and how he sought help.
[20:15] - The power of community in supporting mental health and breaking the stigma.
[22:18] - Providing peer support for law enforcement officers after traumatic events.
[25:42] - How the Seals compartmentalize, problem solve, and suppress just like ADHDers.
[26:33] - Mental toughness and dealing with traumatic loss. Nobody is alone.
[27:28] - Explosives brain injury comparison to professional football players.
[31:58] - Andrew found his purpose driving him to serve others through the military and his non-profit.
[34:21] - How to connect with the Community First Project.
Connect with Andrew Sullivan and the Community First Project:
Please consider donating to the Community First Project on their website, every bit helps! Please connect through the website or Instagram if you are with law enforcement and would like to get further information about the program.
· Community First Project website: https://c1p.org/
· Community First Project on Instagram: @community_first_project
· Andrew “Sully” Sullivan on Instagram: @sully_c1p
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Successful with ADHD. If you enjoyed this conversation, please +FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to let us know your thoughts.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
Next Episode
When ADHD-Brain and Pregnancy-Brain Mix with Liesel Teen, BSN-RN
Introducing Liesel Teen, RN and founder of the hugely popular @mommy.labornurse on Instagram. With over 600k followers, Liesel provides online birth classes and resources to help prepare and empower women to have a positive birthing experience.
In this episode, Liesel shares her journey to getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and new mom, the shame she carried for so long, and how medication and reframing her thoughts helped her thrive. She also provides tips for moms with ADHD.
Timeline Summary:
[02:00] - The journey to an ADHD diagnosis as an adult.
[04:52] - Finding the right medication regimen and its benefits.
[08:29] - Peeling back years of shame and realizing her struggles were not due to laziness.
[10:00] - Liesel talks about being hardworking yet disorganized due to ADHD.
[11:30] - How Liesel uses her working memory.
[13:27] - Starting a successful business before her diagnosis.
[14:57] - Accepting the messy creative process.
[16:42] - Advice to her younger self struggling in a neurotypical world.
[18:06] - Being extra kind to yourself as a pregnant woman with ADHD.
[21:25] - Liesel’s top tip.
[22:16] - Where to find more from Liesel.
Connect with Liesel Teen, BSN-RN:
· The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast: https://mommylabornurse.com/podcast-episodes/
· Blog: https://mommylabornurse.com/
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommy.labornurse/
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Successful with ADHD. If you enjoyed this conversation, please +FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to let us know your thoughts.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
SuccessFULL With ADHD - Life is Sweeter with ADHD Insight with Bethany Joy Lenz
Transcript
I felt this wave of relief just cast over me like, oh my god, I'm not terrible at life. There's nothing wrong with me. My brain works differently than everyone has expecting me to function. And my brain just works differently.
Bethany Joy LenzAnd I just raised a child on my own via, like, for the last 1011 years with this issue, and I like look how far I've come look at what I did. I like the se
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/successfull-with-adhd-285488/life-is-sweeter-with-adhd-insight-with-bethany-joy-lenz-36318876"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to life is sweeter with adhd insight with bethany joy lenz on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy