In this episode podcast host Katherine Ashmore, personal coach for leaders and entrepreneurs, is joined by Mike Walker, Co-Founder of StopPress, for an honest and deeply human conversation about discovering neurodiversity later on in life and what can change when things make sense.

Mike shares his journey of recognition, reflecting on what life felt like before that point: masking, overwhelm, people-pleasing, and a constant sense of not quite fitting.

Together, Katherine and Mike explore the lightbulb moments that follow increased self-understanding, including the mix of relief and grief that can arise.

They also discuss how the traits of curiosity, sensitivity, adaptability, and a strong internal drive can become strengths in entrepreneurship, alongside the challenges many neurodiverse founders experience, such as burnout and emotional overload.

Mike shares some simple, practical shifts that have helped him since, including learning to pause, trust his gut, and create environments where he can genuinely thrive.

This episode is grounded in lived experience and offers a compassionate and humorous exploration of self-understanding and identity.

They explore:

▪︎ Discovering neurodiversity later in life
▪︎ Masking, overwhelm, and people-pleasing
▪︎ Lightbulb moments of self-recognition
▪︎ Relief and grief that can follow new understanding
▪︎ Neurodiversity and entrepreneurship
▪︎ Burnout and emotional overload
▪︎ Learning to pause, trust your gut, and create supportive environments.

Intro 0-1:41 min

Episode 1:41 - 42:18 min

Outro 42:18 - 42:57 min

If you suspect you may be neurodivergent and wish to seek support, speaking with your GP is a good place to start.

Additional resources include:

▪︎ The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity
▪︎ The National Autistic Society
▪︎ Neurodiversity Support UK
▪︎ The Counselling and Therapy Hub (The CATH)

If any of the themes discussed in this episode resonated with you and you’d like coaching support,

🔗 Connect with Katherine:
linkedin.com/in/katherine-ashmore⁠

⁠katherineashmore.com ⁠

⁠contact@katherineashmore.com⁠

⁠https://www.katherineashmore.com/my-links

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Disclaimer⁠
⁠https://www.katherineashmore.com/katherine-ashmore-disclaimer/⁠

Produced and created by Katherine Ashmore. Recorded remotely. © Katherine Ashmore 2026. All rights reserved.

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