Having ADD or ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Hear from people all around the globe, from every walk of life, in every profession, from Rock Stars to CEOs, from Teachers to Politicians, who have learned how to unlock the gifts of their ADD and ADHD diagnosis, and use it to their personal and professional advantage, to build businesses, become millionaires, or simply better their lives.
Our guest today is Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka. She is an entrepreneur originally from Poland, now living in Scotland. Her career journey has been diverse and shaped by a deep curiosity and drive to pursue multiple passions, holding degrees in cross-cultural psychology, media psychology, and cultural studies with a specialization in Japanese culture, along with certification in the Japanese language. In her own words:
Growing up, I faced many challenges. I come from a difficult family background and was bullied throughout most of my life, which deeply impacted my self-esteem. These experiences, combined with the struggle of living with undiagnosed ADHD and with chronic pain, with undiagnosed endometriosis, pushed me to develop resilience and determination. I learned early on how to persevere, which has shaped the way I approach life and business today. After a few career starts I moved into project management at Samsung R&D Institute Poland, gained certifications in Prince2 and Agile, and co-created a Project Management Office for Android commercialization across Europe. After moving to Scotland, my career took an unexpected turn due to health challenges. I was diagnosed with endometriosis (finally after 20 years of suffering), which required multiple surgeries and led to a significant gap in my employment. This challenging period pushed me to reinvent myself, and I decided to focus on building my own business. During this time, finding work was made even more difficult by the timing of Brexit, which created additional barriers. So instead of banging my head against the wall, I decided to build my own business. I had many ideas, but I was constantly searching for something that could truly help others because I love helping people. That’s when VanFill was born - an on-demand platform connecting customers with transport providers using empty spaces in vans and trucks, helping underserved communities access delivery services. The idea came to life when I organized a collection of medical supplies in Scotland for Ukraine. I realized that this platform would be another way I could help others. I turned this idea into reality by learning no-code tools to build the prototype. Since then, I have participated in numerous accelerators and business programs to develop the skills and networks needed to bring VanFill to life. Throughout my life, I’ve been actively involved in volunteering - supporting women with chronic pain and health conditions, working with different charities, and helping minority groups. In addition to my entrepreneurial work, I am deeply committed to advocating for women living with chronic illness and chronic pain. As someone who also lives with ADHD, I know firsthand the mental and physical hurdles that can arise. Through my journey, I want to inspire and empower women facing similar challenges to pursue their goals despite the obstacles. Currently, I am writing a book aimed at helping entrepreneurs, with a special focus on those living with ADHD and chronic conditions, offering guidance and inspiration for navigating the challenges of building a business while managing health difficulties and living with ADHD. I believe that no matter the challenges - be it chronic pain, personal struggles, or professional roadblocks - there is always a way forward. We just need to find the right map and guidance to not get lost on our way. Enjoy!
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00:40 - Thank you for listening and for subscribing!!
01:20 - Introducing and welcome Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka! Ref: https://www.vanfill.co.uk
02:50 - What was growing up with ADHD like for you in Poland?
04:00 - On finding a focused pursuit for her passions and talents
05:40 - Endometriosis and finding a name for what was wrong, in order to build a support kit
06:50 - On adjusting to being ADHD
07:20 - About not knowing what’s wrong with your partner
08:10 - Explaining the gap in her resume/CV
09:10 - On rethinking her life after being diagnosed and not being able to walk for a year
10:00 - On finding her niche
10:50 - On starting your own business with ADHD and how to avoid being bored
12:15 - On social media marketing, distractions/choices and being ADHD
13:00 - About the benefits of time blocking, logging ideas and setting priorities
13:58 - What other rules and tools do you put into play to make sure things happen?
15:20 - On overwhelm and emotional processing
16:02 - Never underestimate screaming out in nature with friends!
16:50 - Spousal help and office/task management
18:06 - How can people find you?
Via https://www.vanfill.co.uk also on LinkedIn And @akaiworlds on Instagram and LinkedIN
18:30 - Forthcoming book teaser
19:35 - Thanks so much for listening to Faster Than Normal. Please join us again very soon!
Know anyone doing wonderful things with #ADHD? We would love to have them on and listen to how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked!
My link tree is here if you’re looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman
