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Running on Empty How ND Energy Actually Works - S01E26
Eps 26 - Running on empty: How ND energy actually works
Most advice about energy assumes you wake up with the same capacity every day — the same motivation, resilience, and ability to push through. For neurodivergent people, that assumption just doesn’t hold.
In this episode, we unpack what it really means to be “running on empty” as an ND person — why energy is variable by design, not a personal failing, and how pushing through works… right up until it doesn’t. We talk fluctuating capacity, energy debt, adrenaline traps, burnout warning signs, and the hidden cognitive load that drains us long before anyone else can see it.
This is about reframing energy as something to manage, not override — pacing instead of consistency, rest as maintenance rather than reward, and learning to listen to the early signals before your system forces a shutdown.
If you’ve ever wondered why some days you can do everything and other days sending one email feels impossible, this episode will help you make sense of it — without shame.
Please share with anyone you think this topic might resonate with. Send any questions or suggestions to or contact us here: [email protected]
Don't forget to like and subscribe or follow along on the socials, see below timeline for details.
Together we can build a healthier, happier way to work!
-------------------------------------
TIMELINE
00:00:00 - Welcome & intro
00:00:40 - Topic: Running on Empty – How ND Energy Works
00:01:30 - Overview of challenges & key points
00:04:00 - The energy budget – avoid overdraw
00:04:30 - ND energy is inconsistent (by design)
00:05:55 - Hustle culture & Gary Vaynerchuk
00:10:50 - Energy- vs time-based planning
00:11:25 - HANNAH'S TANGENT 01 – Self-shame & mistakes
00:12:23 - Buffer time & energy debt
00:13:50 - Taxi driver “make hay” strategy
00:16:22 - Self-forgiveness, physiology & baths
00:17:24 - Background processes & cognitive overload
00:20:35 - Hannah’s cognitive overload confession
00:21:54 - Brownouts & overwhelm
00:25:13 - FSB & SiGNAL shout-out; sensory overwhelm example
00:26:40 - Processing delay, forms & decision fatigue
00:28:39 - alt_audhd – Erin Fung
00:29:29 - Stuart’s exam strategy; Yes/No pitfalls
00:33:52 - Burnout warning signs examples
00:34:24 - The adrenaline trap & being “absent”
00:38:56 - The “red rope” time boundary example
00:43:17 - Early burnout signs we ignore
00:43:39 - Sugar & dopamine
00:44:04 - Insomnia
00:44:28 - The task spiral
00:44:56 - Endless to-do list
00:45:15 - Unable to say no
00:45:33 - Constant apologising
00:46:07 - Anxiety hamster
00:47:10 - Forgetfulness
00:47:27 - Drifting off mid-conversation
00:48:04 - Focusing is draining
00:48:24 - Stress tics
00:49:21 - Self-directed anger
00:50:27 - Emotional cobbles
00:51:00 - Irrational panic
00:51:32 - Overreaction to small noises
00:52:23 - Emotional dysregulation
00:54:22 - Guilt loops
00:56:04 - HANNAH'S TANGENT 02 – Frenemies
00:57:00 - Rest is preparation, not reward
00:57:38 - Energy debt & sustainable living
00:59:35 - Burnout is cumulative
01:01:00 - Burnout signs & catastrophe song
01:02:10 - Withdrawal, brain fog & shutdown
01:05:22 - Supportive parents & partners
01:00:00 - Parenting ND children & school trauma
01:08:39 - Redefining balance & pacing
01:11:15 - Know your limits (not Superman)
01:13:20 - Adjust without self-criticism
01:15:05 - Takeaways & final thoughts
01:15:50 - Energy varies by design
01:16:09 - Energy vs time; candles analogy
01:17:23 - “Pushing through” isn’t sustainable
01:18:00 - Rest is maintenance & prep
01:18:29 - Share early burnout signs
01:18:56 - Cancel or postpone when energy is low
01:20:11 - Tips & guidance
01:20:31 - Harder tasks may signal energy leaks
01:20:49 - Adapt to changing conditions
01:21:15 - Rest before work; build reserves
01:22:27 - Don’t feel guilty for resting
01:23:22 - Brain fog or irritability = warning signs
01:24:42 - Low energy: triage priorities
01:25:25 - Acknowledge deficits & recover
01:28:21 - Listen to body, self & loved ones
01:29:20 - Final comments & goodbye
01:31:25 - Length
-------------------------------------
RESOURCES
Economics: Follow That Cab! A study of labor incentives may explain why it is hard to find a taxi in the rain
https://paw.princeton.edu/article/economics-follow-cab?
When to quit: Narrow bracketing and reference dependence in taxi drivers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167268117302731?
alt_audhd - Erin Fung: Fun, interesting and relatable ND Instragammer https://www.instagram.com/alt_audhd
https://here2help.uk/further-information/ - Fab resource and amazing organisation raising awareness and support for autistic suicide prevention.
https://bigmoosecharity.co - Emergency mental health support, Big Moose provides fast and effective therapy for people who are struggling.
https://businessoddcast.com/help - our range of resources for Neurodiverse business owners, helping you thrive, survive and live more fulfilling lives.
-------------------------------------
OUR WEBSITE & CONTACT
https://businessoddcast.com/help - Our resources
[email protected] - Email us
OUR SOCIALS
youtube.com/BusinessOddcast
facebook.com/BusinessOddcast
instagram.com/BusinessOddcast
View all episodes
By Stuart Morrison & Hannah LoganEps 26 - Running on empty: How ND energy actually works
Most advice about energy assumes you wake up with the same capacity every day — the same motivation, resilience, and ability to push through. For neurodivergent people, that assumption just doesn’t hold.
In this episode, we unpack what it really means to be “running on empty” as an ND person — why energy is variable by design, not a personal failing, and how pushing through works… right up until it doesn’t. We talk fluctuating capacity, energy debt, adrenaline traps, burnout warning signs, and the hidden cognitive load that drains us long before anyone else can see it.
This is about reframing energy as something to manage, not override — pacing instead of consistency, rest as maintenance rather than reward, and learning to listen to the early signals before your system forces a shutdown.
If you’ve ever wondered why some days you can do everything and other days sending one email feels impossible, this episode will help you make sense of it — without shame.
Please share with anyone you think this topic might resonate with. Send any questions or suggestions to or contact us here: [email protected]
Don't forget to like and subscribe or follow along on the socials, see below timeline for details.
Together we can build a healthier, happier way to work!
-------------------------------------
TIMELINE
00:00:00 - Welcome & intro
00:00:40 - Topic: Running on Empty – How ND Energy Works
00:01:30 - Overview of challenges & key points
00:04:00 - The energy budget – avoid overdraw
00:04:30 - ND energy is inconsistent (by design)
00:05:55 - Hustle culture & Gary Vaynerchuk
00:10:50 - Energy- vs time-based planning
00:11:25 - HANNAH'S TANGENT 01 – Self-shame & mistakes
00:12:23 - Buffer time & energy debt
00:13:50 - Taxi driver “make hay” strategy
00:16:22 - Self-forgiveness, physiology & baths
00:17:24 - Background processes & cognitive overload
00:20:35 - Hannah’s cognitive overload confession
00:21:54 - Brownouts & overwhelm
00:25:13 - FSB & SiGNAL shout-out; sensory overwhelm example
00:26:40 - Processing delay, forms & decision fatigue
00:28:39 - alt_audhd – Erin Fung
00:29:29 - Stuart’s exam strategy; Yes/No pitfalls
00:33:52 - Burnout warning signs examples
00:34:24 - The adrenaline trap & being “absent”
00:38:56 - The “red rope” time boundary example
00:43:17 - Early burnout signs we ignore
00:43:39 - Sugar & dopamine
00:44:04 - Insomnia
00:44:28 - The task spiral
00:44:56 - Endless to-do list
00:45:15 - Unable to say no
00:45:33 - Constant apologising
00:46:07 - Anxiety hamster
00:47:10 - Forgetfulness
00:47:27 - Drifting off mid-conversation
00:48:04 - Focusing is draining
00:48:24 - Stress tics
00:49:21 - Self-directed anger
00:50:27 - Emotional cobbles
00:51:00 - Irrational panic
00:51:32 - Overreaction to small noises
00:52:23 - Emotional dysregulation
00:54:22 - Guilt loops
00:56:04 - HANNAH'S TANGENT 02 – Frenemies
00:57:00 - Rest is preparation, not reward
00:57:38 - Energy debt & sustainable living
00:59:35 - Burnout is cumulative
01:01:00 - Burnout signs & catastrophe song
01:02:10 - Withdrawal, brain fog & shutdown
01:05:22 - Supportive parents & partners
01:00:00 - Parenting ND children & school trauma
01:08:39 - Redefining balance & pacing
01:11:15 - Know your limits (not Superman)
01:13:20 - Adjust without self-criticism
01:15:05 - Takeaways & final thoughts
01:15:50 - Energy varies by design
01:16:09 - Energy vs time; candles analogy
01:17:23 - “Pushing through” isn’t sustainable
01:18:00 - Rest is maintenance & prep
01:18:29 - Share early burnout signs
01:18:56 - Cancel or postpone when energy is low
01:20:11 - Tips & guidance
01:20:31 - Harder tasks may signal energy leaks
01:20:49 - Adapt to changing conditions
01:21:15 - Rest before work; build reserves
01:22:27 - Don’t feel guilty for resting
01:23:22 - Brain fog or irritability = warning signs
01:24:42 - Low energy: triage priorities
01:25:25 - Acknowledge deficits & recover
01:28:21 - Listen to body, self & loved ones
01:29:20 - Final comments & goodbye
01:31:25 - Length
-------------------------------------
RESOURCES
Economics: Follow That Cab! A study of labor incentives may explain why it is hard to find a taxi in the rain
https://paw.princeton.edu/article/economics-follow-cab?
When to quit: Narrow bracketing and reference dependence in taxi drivers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167268117302731?
alt_audhd - Erin Fung: Fun, interesting and relatable ND Instragammer https://www.instagram.com/alt_audhd
https://here2help.uk/further-information/ - Fab resource and amazing organisation raising awareness and support for autistic suicide prevention.
https://bigmoosecharity.co - Emergency mental health support, Big Moose provides fast and effective therapy for people who are struggling.
https://businessoddcast.com/help - our range of resources for Neurodiverse business owners, helping you thrive, survive and live more fulfilling lives.
-------------------------------------
OUR WEBSITE & CONTACT
https://businessoddcast.com/help - Our resources
[email protected] - Email us
OUR SOCIALS
youtube.com/BusinessOddcast
facebook.com/BusinessOddcast
instagram.com/BusinessOddcast