“I don't feel like I can do all the things that I used to do, and I'm still me. So this is very confusing.”
Eliana Bravos shares what neurodivergent burnout actually felt like, how it disrupted her sense of self, and why pushing harder only made things worse.
If you’ve experienced ADHD burnout, chronic overwhelm, identity loss, or the fear that you “can’t do what you used to anymore,” this episode explores what burnout really is, why it happens, and how community, self-accommodation, and nervous-system-aware work design
Eliana Bravos is the co-founder of ND Connect, a community platform helping neurodivergent adults form meaningful, supportive relationships. A social impact entrepreneur with an Honors Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, she has supported over 1,000 leaders in building more accessible cultures and has facilitated non-hierarchical peer programs for neurodivergent people since 2018.
Episode Highlights
00:07:00 — When something inside you breaks Eliana describes pushing her body past its limits for so long that it felt like something inside her broke. She explains the confusion of still being “herself,” but no longer being able to do what she used to.
00:04:08 — Finding hope through a neurodivergent mentor Meeting a mentor with ADHD changed how Eliana saw her future. Seeing someone thriving on their own terms made happiness feel possible again.
00:09:24 — Why working from home changed everything She explains how overstimulation in school and offices made focus nearly impossible. Having control over her environment finally allowed her to concentrate and conserve energy.
00:23:04 — Outsourcing what you’re bad at Eliana shares why being a non-solo founder is essential for her. Letting others handle operations and admin frees her to work in her strengths.
00:25:58 — Creating communication boundaries She talks about scheduling email time, setting expectations, and preferring calls over long message threads. Clear communication norms reduce overwhelm.
00:34:17 — Struggling with sleep hygiene Eliana explains why nighttime routines are hard and how she often falls asleep to shows. Sleep remains a major work in progress.
Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io
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Episode 130