“I’m Fine”: What My Dad Taught Me About Resisting Help

On August 14th, my dad passed away. In the weeks since, I’ve been reflecting on his life, his humor, his resilience — and his signature phrase: “I’m fine.”

He said it when he was hooked up to machines in the hospital. He said it when he was on the roof cleaning gutters, even though his balance was shot. And most of the time, he wasn’t fine at all.

In this episode, I share some of the lessons I learned from my dad about adapting — and about the cost of resisting it. From the adult trike he never would have bought for himself, to the senior living community he resisted but came to love, my dad’s story is a mirror for the ways we all struggle with change, masking, and accepting support.

I also talk about my own journey: being diagnosed with ADHD at 19, and more recently, with autism — a diagnosis that really came into focus during a season of burnout. Like my dad, I’ve had to learn that determination isn’t enough. Saying “I’m fine” isn’t enough. What matters is adapting — and allowing ourselves to receive help when we need it.

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I’m fine” when you’re not, this one’s for you.

• The phrase my dad used that wasn’t always true — “I’m fine.”

• How his resistance to adapting shaped my understanding of masking.

• The trike that gave him joy he wouldn’t have chosen for himself.

• Why moving into a senior living community became one of the best decisions he never wanted to make.

• What his struggles taught me about ADHD, autism, burnout, and learning to adapt.

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Are you building a business (or a life) that supports your life—or one that runs you into the ground?

In this episode of ADHD reWired, Eric Tivers is joined by business systems coach and automation strategist Stephanie Blake. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Stephanie shares how simplifying her business, embracing structure, and getting honest about burnout helped her reclaim her energy and build a business that works for her, not the other way around.

They talk about the unique ways ADHD brains thrive with streamlined systems, why too many tools can be a trap, and how authenticity and self-awareness fuel sustainable success. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to do all the things, this episode is your permission slip to do less—better.

You’ll also hear tips for where to start with automation, how to avoid shiny object syndrome, and why consistency matters more than complexity.

00:00 – Intro
02:02 – Stephanie's story: diagnosis, business, and burnout
06:11 – “Simplify to scale”: the ADHD-friendly approach to business
11:58 – Tools and systems that actually help (and what to ditch)
18:05 – Where to start with automation (without breaking your brain)
21:42 – The myth of doing it all—and why solo doesn’t mean alone
26:39 – What’s behind our addiction to new tools
30:14 – The power of community and authenticity in building your brand
35:20 – Why revisiting your systems is a must, not a maybe
38:17 – Final thoughts: automate the right things, at the right time
40:36 – Learn more from Stephanie + Fall Coaching Groups are open!

Stephanie Blake is the founder of the Simple Business School and Simple Business Suites. She helps entrepreneurs scale to six figures and beyond by simplifying their business systems, automating strategically, and building offers that align with their values. As a mom, a CEO, and an ADHDer, Stephanie believes in doing business your way—and building something that lasts.

🌐 Learn more at: theblakecollective.com
📱 Instagram: @theblakecollective

• ClickUp – Project Management

• Airtable – Databases / Organizing Everything

• Zapier – Automation

• StreamYard – Live Streaming Platform

🧭 Fall 2025 Coaching Groups are open for registration!
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Join our next Registration Event:
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If this episode helped you feel less alone or gave you a new perspective on how to run your business or your life with ADHD, share it with a friend—or on social! Use #ADHDreWired to join the conversation.

What does it really mean to know when to push, when to pause, and when to let go? In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Portia Preston returns to ADHD reWired to share insights from her book Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go? We talk about burnout, shame-free wellness, and the small practices that can help us create a more sustainable rhythm in life.

This episode weaves together stories of resilience and grief, the reality of living with ADHD and autism, and Portia’s SANE model (Slow down, Acknowledge, Navigate, Evaluate)—a simple framework to help you reset when overwhelm takes over. We also talk about support squads, the hidden cost of hustle culture, and what it means to choose rest without shame.

If you’ve been running on empty, carrying grief, or just wondering if there’s another way forward, this conversation is for you.

00:00 – Introduction: Shame Free Wellness and unlearning harmful beliefs
01:07 – Welcome to ADHD Rewired, host Eric Tivers introduces the show
01:31 – Eric shares personal news: loss of his father and recent illness
03:06 – Portia Preston joins: author, speaker, and executive coach
05:36 – Portia discusses the motivation behind her book and the concept of sustainable rhythm
07:54 – The SANE Cycle: a four-step process for self-reflection and growth
08:49 – Book launch experiences, balancing promotion, and authenticity
10:57 – Defining “hustle” and “flow” in the context of wellness
13:00 – Letting go: the challenge and importance of releasing what doesn’t serve you
15:21 – The SANE model explained: Slow down, Acknowledge, Navigate, Evaluate
17:06 – Portia’s favorite part of the book and audience reactions
17:52 – Break: Coaching and accountability group info
  - ADHD Rewired Coaching & Accountability Groups
  - ADHD Rewired Virtual Coworking Community
18:48 – Grief, burnout, and the importance of sitting with discomfort
22:00 – Building a support squad and the difference between solitude and isolation
25:00 – Neurodivergence, intersectionality, and Portia’s experience as a Black woman with ADHD and autism
29:00 – Audience feedback on the book and the importance of vulnerability
33:00 – Shame Free Wellness Manifesto (read aloud)
35:44 – The importance of rest, authenticity, and self-acceptance
39:00 – Context shifting, capacity vs. discipline, and self-compassion
  - Dr. Raquel Martin on Instagram: @drraquelmartin
43:00 – Teaching students about shame-free wellness and legacy
46:00 – Grief, community, and turning pain into purpose
49:00 – The value of showing up authentically and embracing imperfection
52:00 – Where to find Portia’s book and connect online
  - Book: “Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go: A Guide to Shame-Free Wellness”
   • PortiaPreston.com
   • Amazon Book Link
  - Instagram: @drportiapreston
54:00 – Closing thoughts: SANE model reminder and encouragement
56:00 – Outro: gratitude and next steps