From Struggles with Focus to Nutrition Practitioner: My Journey to Growing Minds Nutrition

Growing Up “Somewhere Else”

When I was a kid, I didn’t just have trouble focusing — I struggled to be present at all. I often found myself drifting into daydreams in the middle of class. Teachers would speak, but I’d walk away having no idea what the lesson was about.

To others, I seemed shy, quiet, and even polite — the kind of student who didn’t cause problems. But inside, I felt lost. Friends and teachers sometimes thought I didn’t care about what they were saying. In reality, my brain just couldn’t hold onto the thread of conversation.

For years, I internalized that as a personal flaw. I told myself I wasn’t smart enough or disciplined enough. My self-esteem sank lower with each missed assignment or blank stare in class.

ADHD in Girls and Women: The Invisible Struggle

ADHD in girls often shows up as inattentiveness, internal restlessness, mental fatigue, zoning out, and masking. Because it’s not disruptive, it’s easy to misread as disinterest, shyness, or “she’s fine.” Many of us grow up thinking our lapses are character flaws—lazy, careless, or flaky—when they’re neurological.

My signs were obvious in hindsight: constant daydreaming, time blindness, working best under pressure, and leaving conversations with big blank spots. I wasn’t unmotivated; I was unrecognized.

As I grew older, I faced other challenges: body dysmorphia, poor eating habits, and declining mental health. Becoming vegetarian without nutritional guidance left me fatigued and unfocused. Traveling in my early twenties was eye-opening, but I also gained weight and felt sluggish.

That was the moment I realized I couldn’t keep ignoring my health. I started experimenting with nutrition, learning how food could change not just my body but also my brain. For the first time, I felt like I had a bit of control.

Food, Mood, and a Turning Point

In my late teens and early twenties, I struggled with body image and ate like a vegetarian without a plan—low protein, unbalanced meals, and predictable energy crashes. After traveling and gaining weight, I felt sluggish and mentally foggy. That discomfort pushed me to learn how nutrition affects focus, energy, and mood. The changes were tangible and motivating.

Diagnosis, Then Direction

Getting formally diagnosed with ADHD as an adult reframed my entire story. I wasn’t “too sensitive” or “not trying hard enough.” My brain works differently, and it needs different inputs—structure, tools, compassion, and specific nutrients that support attention and emotional regulation. Pairing that insight with holistic nutrition gave me a practical path forward.

Why I Started Growing Minds Nutrition

I created Growing Minds Nutrition to support anyone navigating focus, energy, and mental health—from students and professionals to parents and caregivers. Nutrition won’t “fix” ADHD, but it is powerful scaffolding. With the right fuel and strategy, you can feel steadier, think clearer, and show up with more confidence.

If this resonates, I’d love to help.

→ Book a 1:1 coaching session to build a realistic plan for your brain, your schedule, and your goals. We’ll map meals, routines, and evidence-informed tools that support focus, energy, and mood.