'I found my purpose after ADHD diagnosis at 39'

A woman who was diagnosed with ADHD aged 39 says she has found her purpose in life after switching careers.

Hannah Buckley, from Thornbury near Bristol, worked as a teacher before being diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder in 2024.

But after years spent dealing with the exhaustion of masking her ADHD, Buckley launched a career as a fitness coach after she found exercising boosted her mental health and helped her connect with people.

"I feel like I've found my purpose and I've found my people," she said.

ADHD, which is thought to affect between three to four per cent of adults in the UK, often involves symptoms such as being easily distracted, finding it hard to manage time and losing things often.

It can also involve signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as feeling restless, being very talkative and making quick decisions without thinking of the consequences.

Masking is a term used to describe neurodiverse people hiding symptoms to fit societal norms, but can come with long-term impacts such as emotional exhaustion and anxiety.

Henry Shelford, the chief executive of charity ADHD UK, said: "Masking takes its toll - in energy, and across every other area of your life."

He added: "People mask to soften how others react to their ADHD. It would be far less necessary if more people had a better, and kinder, understanding of what it is like to live with ADHD."

Although Buckley was not diagnosed until her late 30s, she said signs of ADHD had been apparent throughout her life.

"It was just a light bulb moment - it really has been there forever," she added, explaining that she had spent years dealing with the long-term effects of masking.

"I just did not feel happy," said Buckley. "I didn't really know who I was because I was trying to hide who I was for so long."

Her newest venture is a neurodiverse gym called Swift Strength, which she said was intended to build on the connections she had found through fitness.

"I met the most amazing people who really helped to shape me to who I am now and made me feel like I belonged somewhere," she said.

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