Cheryl Kennedy MacDonald is an entrepreneur and founder of the YogaBellies and Birth ROCKS methods, which focus on empowering women through yoga and birth education. Over the years, she has written 11 books on women’s health and developed a range of yoga and baby products, which reflect her passion for supporting women and families. Recently, Cheryl has begun training as a psychotherapist to support adult women with ADHD like herself. She enjoys staying active, practicing yoga, and constantly learning new things. She has turned her struggles with focus into a superpower for multitasking and entrepreneurship.
When did you get diagnosed?
I was officially diagnosed with ADHD at 35, while living in Singapore.
What was life like before diagnosis?
Before my diagnosis, life was chaotic and overwhelming. I couldn’t understand why I struggled so much with focus and organization, despite being creative and driven. Working in traditional office environments felt impossible—my mind was always jumping between ideas, and I found it hard to stay engaged. I couldn’t sit still, and I also have auditory processing disorder and narcolepsy which means that only could I often not take information in at meetings, but I was also struggling to stay awake! I often felt misunderstood and wondered why I couldn’t manage things that seemed easy for others. However, I absolutely thrive as an entrepreneur, where I have the freedom to work on multiple projects at once and embrace my creative side. I think this is the only way to work for women with ADHD and I’ve learned so many ways to manage my symptoms and maximize periods of hyperfocus and prevent burnout.
What was life like post-diagnosis?
Getting my ADHD diagnosis was a revelation. It allowed me to understand why I had been struggling in certain areas and gave me the opportunity to find tools to manage my symptoms. It was liberating to know that my brain just works differently, and that I wasn’t “failing” at things—my challenges had a name. Instead of constantly feeling guilty for not being able to complete the simplest of tasks, I just accept it and find a new way to work around it. I’ve since been able to embrace my ADHD strengths, lean into the work that energizes me, and design my life in a way that suits how my brain operates. As I’ve learned more about ADHD, I’ve also felt inspired to help other women in similar situations, which is why I’m working as a psychotherapist and currently completing my Masters degree.
What do you think are your greatest ADHD strengths?
My creativity, passion, and ability to think outside the box are my greatest ADHD strengths – and I’m very funny. I’m able to juggle multiple projects at once, which has been essential for my entrepreneurial success. ADHD also gives me a unique drive and the ability to hyperfocus on things I’m passionate about, like developing new methods, products, and ideas. I believe this combination of creativity and persistence has been key to my success in creating YogaBellies and my other ventures.
How do you manage ADHD in daily life?
I manage my ADHD by creating structure in the areas where I need it and embracing flexibility in others. I rely heavily on planning tools like calendars, to-do lists, and timers to keep myself organized. I also schedule regular yoga and mindfulness practices to manage stress and stay grounded. I’ve learned to surround myself with supportive people and environments that allow me to thrive. Most importantly, I no longer try to force myself to do the things I know I can’t – I outsource and get support where possible and focus on what I CAN do really well.
How would you advise your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be kinder and more patient with herself. I spent years wondering why I couldn’t fit into traditional moulds, but the truth is, I was never meant to. I’d encourage her to trust her intuition and lean into her strengths—there’s no one “right” way to be successful or productive, and what works for others won’t necessarily work for you. I think as women with ADHD, we have the added complication of hormonal fluctuations throughout the month and life transitions like postpartum and menopause which exacerbate our symptoms further.
Complete this sentence: ADHD is…
ADHD is the best and the worst thing about me! It’s a unique combination of creativity, energy, and the potential to achieve incredible things, as long as you find the right balance and support.
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