This episode dives into the uniquely competitive nature of ADHD—where the drive isn’t always about winning, but about avoiding the sting of losing. Chase explores how competition shows up internally and externally for people with ADHD, and where it can become both a motivator and a liability. Joined by ADHD coach Bronwyn Foley, the conversation breaks down the five key drivers of action—urgency, purpose, interest, novelty, and competition—and how dopamine dysregulation shapes behavior, motivation, and emotional response. They also unpack the deeper challenges: tying identity to performance, negative bias, and why defeat can linger longer than success. The episode offers a thoughtful reframe of failure and a more sustainable way to channel intensity into meaningful progress.
On this episode of Chase Squirrelson, Chase takes a closer look at competition—specifically, how it shows up in the ADHD brain. For many, it’s not about winning…it’s about not losing. That subtle shift can drive everything from motivation to burnout.
Chase is joined by ADHD coach Bronwyn Foley to unpack why competition can be such a powerful force, the five triggers that actually help ADHD brains take action, and what’s really going on with dopamine, identity, and the fear of failure. If you’ve ever felt stuck between chasing intensity and struggling with consistency, this conversation connects the dots—and offers a better way forward.
(:30) Chase talks about the competitive nature of ADHD. Not wanting to win as much as not losing
(1:30) What does competition look like on an ADHD person?
(3:08) Who do ADHD people compete with and why?
(4:01) What’s the dark side of competition?
(4:49) What are some important distinctions and fears?
(5:33) What about chasing meaning?
(5:55) Chase’s ADHD Coach Bronwyn Foley joins him.
(6:40) Bronwyn answers why winning is so important to people with ADHD
(7:10) She lists the 5 key factors that help someone with ADHD initiate action. Urgency, Purpose, Interest, Novelty and Competition.
(8:30) What’s the pain of losing all about?
(9:50) How do ADHD brains collect data and how is it different?
(12:00) How you can reframe failure
(13:21) Do ADHD people confuse performance with identity more than neurotypical people? And what about negative bias?
(17:00) What’s dopamine dysregulation? How can you deal with this?
(18:50) Does defeat last longer than victory for an ADHD person?
(20:28) Does ADHD make people chase intensity instead of consistence? And is ADHD a bad word in the ADHD world?
(21:45) Hear about Tom Hartman’s work comparing the farmer to the hunter.
(23:05) You can reach Bronwyn at www.Bronwynfoley.com or email her at Bronwyn@bronwynfoley.com
(23:48) Hear Chase’s own story about how he started this podcast.
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Provide feedback to Chase at info@chasesquirrelson.com