Meet Zoe
ADHD professional, founder, and creator of the Spiral Loop Framework.
Why I Created the Spiral Loop Framework
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 28 — after a decade of masking, burning out, and feeling like I was "broken" because I couldn't handle work the way everyone else seemed to.
I spent years in therapy, coaching, and self-study trying to understand my brain. I read every book, tried every productivity system, and downloaded every ADHD app. Most of them were designed for neurotypical brains — they told me to use calendars, set timers, and "just focus harder."
The turning point came when I started mapping my own patterns. I noticed that my workplace challenges followed a predictable cascade: a trigger would happen, my brain would create a catastrophic story, I'd spiral into shame, my executive function would shut down, and I'd burn out. Once I saw the pattern, I could interrupt it.
That pattern became the Workplace Spiral Framework™. I created this toolkit because I wish something like it existed when I was struggling. My goal is to help other neurodivergent professionals understand their brain patterns and build workplace strategies that actually work for them.
My Story
I spent my 20s and early 30s building a career in product management — while secretly struggling with ADHD. I was the person who could deliver under pressure, but would crash for days after. I was the one who overexplained everything, procrastinated on ambiguous tasks, and carried a constant, exhausting sense of being "behind."
After a particularly severe burnout at 32, I finally sought a formal evaluation. The ADHD diagnosis was both a shock and a relief. Suddenly, everything made sense — the masking, the spirals, the burnout cycles. I wasn't broken; my brain just worked differently.
Today, I run the Neurodivergent Workplace Toolkit, write books about ADHD workplace strategies, and speak to organizations about creating more neurodivergent-friendly workplaces. I still have spirals. I still have to work at not masking. But now I have the tools — and I want to share them with you.
The Spiral Loop Framework™
The core idea is simple: ADHD workplace challenges follow a predictable five-stage pattern. Once you learn to recognize each stage, you can intervene before spirals lead to burnout.
Trigger — A workplace event activates your ADHD stress response
Threat Story — Your brain creates a catastrophic narrative
Shame — Intense self-criticism and emotional pain
Executive Shutdown — Brain goes offline; can't think or act
Burnout — Mental exhaustion that days off can't fix
Personal
"I used to think my ADHD was a flaw. Now I see it as a different operating system — I just needed the right software."
Based in San Francisco, CA
ADHD advocacy, writing, hiking, neurodiversity community building
Connect With Zoe
Have questions about the framework, or interested in having Zoe speak at your organization? Reach out anytime.