What Happens When You Stop Hiding Your ADHD

What Happens When You Stop Hiding Your ADHD

From Something Shiny: ADHD! by David Kessler & Isabelle Richards

January 14, 2026 · 22 min · Season 4 · Episode 115

About this episode

Jesse Sanchez discusses his journey with ADHD and the transformative power of peer mentorship in the neurodiversity movement.

Ever felt like you were doing everything "wrong" compared to everyone around you...like, thinking back to college, why did studying take you five environment changes and an all-nighter when your roommate just sat there and did it? If so, then this one's for you! Jesse Sanchez, President of the Neurodiversity Alliance , joins hosts Isabelle Richards and David Kessler to talk about his journey from "wait, am I broken?" confusion in college to leading a national movement that's literally changing (and saving) lives through peer mentorship and community. And yes, we have the data to back that up. Jesse gets incredibly real about what it was like to need accommodations for years without anyone explaining why, and how finding other neurodivergent people who just got it completely transformed the way he saw himself. They also get into what it actually looks like to unmask and take care of yourself in professional settings—like when Jesse collapsed on a couch between high-stakes donor meetings at the Neurodiversity Leadership Summit with Isabelle and David there. It was beautiful:) And why that kind of authentic nervous system regulation isn't weakness—it's literally the accommodation…

People in this episode

Hosts: Isabelle Richards, David Kessler

Guest: Jesse Sanchez

Topics covered

  • ADHD
  • neurodiversity
  • peer mentorship
  • self-acceptance
  • mental health

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • neurodiversity
  • mentorship
  • self-care
  • mental health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Neurodiversity Alliance

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