ADHD, Masking and the Journey to Self-Discovery

What if the key to thriving with ADHD isn't trying harder to fit in, but learning to understand yourself differently?

In this episode of SOULFULL SOUND Podcast, I’m joined by Sol Smith, author of The ADHDer’s Guide to Self-Discovery and The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery. A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic and living with ADHD, Sol brings both personal experience and professional insight to the conversation.

Together, we explore what it means to understand neurodivergence beyond stereotypes, release the pressure to conform and begin creating a life that works with who you are.

Understanding ADHD Beyond the Stereotypes

ADHD is often associated with distraction, hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating. But, as Sol explains, the reality is far more nuanced. Attention, motivation, novelty and hyperfocus can all play a part in how someone experiences the world.

We also explore why ADHD can go unrecognised, the challenges of late diagnosis and the relief that can come from finally having a framework for understanding yourself.

Rather than viewing every difference as a problem to fix, Sol encourages us to recognise our individual strengths and find ways of working that honour how our minds operate.

The Hidden Cost of Masking

For many neurodivergent people, navigating a world built around neurotypical expectations can mean constantly adjusting their behaviour to fit in. This masking can make it harder to recognise and express who we really are.

Sol invites us to question the assumptions we've absorbed about success, productivity and how we're supposed to function. Instead of continuing to force ourselves into environments that don't fit, we can begin asking what needs to change around us.

As he puts it, “You have to change the world around you to fit who you are.”

This is an invitation to move away from self-judgment and towards greater understanding, self-acceptance and the freedom to be ourselves.

Motivation, Passion and Redefining Success

We also explore the relationship between ADHD, dopamine, procrastination and motivation, including why novelty can be so compelling and why hyperfocus doesn't always translate into consistent productivity.

One particularly thought-provoking theme is what happens when we turn something we love into work. The expectations and pressures attached to monetising a passion can sometimes change our relationship with it.

Sol encourages us to look beyond conventional definitions of achievement and consider what success means to us personally. Rather than measuring ourselves against someone else's expectations, we can explore what makes our lives meaningful and how to build a way of living that supports us.

Learning to Trust Yourself

Towards the end of our conversation, we touch on intuition, listening to the body and learning to trust our own signals. For Sol, understanding ourselves is part of creating a life that feels personally meaningful, rather than simply meeting external expectations.

This episode is a reminder that self-discovery isn't about becoming someone else. It's about understanding who you are, recognising what supports you and allowing that knowledge to shape the life you create. 

Points Of Discussion:

00:00 - Understanding ADHD as an Identity
02:19 - What ADHD Really Is: Attention, Hyperactivity & Dopamine
08:10 - Why ADHD Is Often Missed in Women and Marginalised Groups
12:31 - Sol’s Journey to Understanding His Neurodivergence
17:37 - Signs of ADHD, Employment Challenges & Rejection
21:41 - Novelty, Dopamine Hunting & Finding Motivation
25:45 - Hyperfocus, Procrastination & Working in Your Own Way
30:16 - Success, Self-Worth & Finding Meaning in Your Work
32:20 - ADHD as Identity, Not an Affliction
39:02 - When Turning a Passion Into Work Takes Away the Joy
45:21 - ADHD as a Superpower, Masking & Unmasking
01:03:32 - Intuition, Self-Trust & Creating a Meaningful Life

Resources & Links:

Website: http://www.ProfessorSol.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@better_sol
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprofessorsol
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@professor_sol
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-smith-mfa-eds-ms-cas-7955364

About Sol Smith

Sol Smith is the author of The ADHDer’s Guide to Self-Discovery and The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery. A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic, and living with ADHD, he spent more than two decades as a college professor before dedicating his life to helping autistic and ADHD adults thrive. Sol is the founder of Square Peg Coaching and Consulting and NeuroSpicyCommunity.com, an online support community for Autistics and ADHDers. His neuro-affirming approach has attracted hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram and established him as a sought-after speaker on autism, ADHD, and neurodiversity