EP. 354: Why Burnout Conversations Fail Without Neurodiversity with Nicole Bela

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup _____ Nicole Bela was brilliant at her job. She could read a room in seconds, remember every donor’s story, and raise millions for causes she believed in. But behind the polished professionalism, she was quietly unraveling. The same systems designed to do good were slowly breaking her down, and she couldn’t understand why. After being diagnosed with ADHD at 37, just after the birth of her second son, Nicole finally had the missing piece. Suddenly, the patterns made sense: the anxiety that exercise once kept in check, the brain fog after Zoom meetings, the guilt of forgetting critical details while remembering someone’s cat’s name. What began as relief quickly turned into a mission. Nicole wrote a groundbreaking article for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, “Unmasking Burnout,” connecting the dots between masking, mental health, and why so many fundraisers, especially women, are burning out. In this conversation, Nicole and Tracy unpack why the nonprofit world may be full of undiagnosed neurodivergent professionals, how the pandemic exposed the cracks in traditional workplace culture, and what leaders can do to build real belonging. Nicole also shares how unmasking her ADHD changed the way she leads, works, and parents proving that inclusion starts when we stop pretending and start asking what people truly need to thrive. Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskedartstudio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-bela-msw-cfre-a484571b Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shift Instead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉 Learn more here : https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academy Learn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram , Facebook , LinkedIn , Pinterest , or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com . Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website: https://tracyotsuka.com