EP. 324: Rejection-Proof: How ADHD Brains Can Turn ‘No’ Into ‘Next’

ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup

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Rejection stings, but what if you could flip it into your greatest advantage?

Alice Draper, founder of Hustling Writers and host of My Rejection Story, knows that rejection isn’t just part of the game—it is the game. Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, Alice struggled for years with imposter syndrome, social rejection, and the fear of putting herself out there. But everything changed when she set a radical goal: to get rejected 100 times in a year. What happened next? More success than she ever imagined.

In this conversation, Alice shares how growing up undiagnosed shaped her confidence, why ADHD brains are wired to fear rejection, and how she rewired her mindset to see “no” as a step toward “yes.” She dives into the science of rejection, how our ancestors depended on acceptance for survival, and why ADHD brains feel it even more intensely. Tracy and Alice also talk about harnessing rejection as a tool for success, why storytelling is a superpower, and how to shift from perfectionism to action.

Now a publicity strategist and media expert, Alice helps under-recognized women entrepreneurs land press and podcast guest spots—proving that rejection isn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of something bigger. If you’ve ever hesitated to put yourself out there for fear of failure, this episode will challenge you to rethink rejection—and maybe even celebrate it.

Resources:

• Website: http://hustlingwriters.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicedraper/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-m-draper/
• Podcast: https://hustlingwriters.com/podcast/
• Course: https://hustlingwriters.com/pitchyourpower/

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