Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Wetter.
Hi Olivia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
From when I can remember, I have always felt very strongly about helping others. I truly believe I was born with that in me. I know that it’s my purpose in this world. But it hasn’t always looked the way I expected. It has changed and evolved over time, and I know it will continue to expand as I move forward.
When I was 13, I was in a pageant, and in my speech, I shared that I wanted to be a Child Psychologist and a model when I was older. Psychology always fascinated me, people fascinated me, behavior fascinated me, and I had a thirst to know more. I think a huge part of it looking back is because I grew up around a lot of dysfunctions; I saw a lot of people hurting and living in pain. So, I knew quickly I would go to college for psychology, and I became a School Psychologist. I wanted children to have a safe and supportive adult in their life, something I didn’t always have.
Early on in my career, I quickly felt unfulfilled. Something inside me wanted to run from it, but I was conditioned to believe I had to retire in that career. As the years went on, I increasingly became unsettled; I felt so different from my colleagues. Imposter syndrome hit hard. I always wondered why I couldn’t keep up with organization and paperwork and why everything took me twice as long to finish. Fast forward a few years, and in 2019, I reached what is called a clinical burnout and was diagnosed with situational depression. I couldn’t function. They placed me on anti-depressants, but I had a rare side effect known as Serotonin Syndrome that almost led me to the ER. I went to my doctor and said no more medication; I need to be evaluated for ADHD. And that’s when my entire world shifted.
For a few years, I assumed I had ADHD, but I ignored it not really understanding what leaving it untreated could eventually lead to. I actually have videos of me joking about having ADHD years before my diagnosis. When I was diagnosed so many things started to make sense. Looking back, I had so many signs of ADHD, primarily inattentive symptoms along with sensory issues. Like many other women, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression before ADHD was even considered.
That summer of 2020, I put in my letter of resignation, quit what was supposed to be my long-term career, and decided to move from a small town in NY to San Diego. I fit whatever I could in my tiny little coupe and drove across the country alone never looking back.
I continued my journey to take everything I was trained in to help myself, along with outside support. I already had started my life coaching business but never niched down. It was in the process of my burnout recovery and learning what it is to be a neurodivergent woman in this world that truly fueled my passion towards helping other women with ADHD understand themselves on a deeper level and get their ADHD better managed.
Today, I have a thriving business helping so many other amazing women with ADHD flip the narrative on what they’ve been conditioned to believe about their differences. I have never been more fulfilled in my entire life; I love what I do. I’ve also been stepping more into creating the life of freedom I’ve always wanted which includes prioritizing travel. I’m really excited for what’s ahead not just for myself but for everyone with ADHD. Together we can change so much for the ADHD community.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth! I have been through a lot of ups, downs, twists, and turns along the way. Not only did I have to learn how to navigate my ADHD, I spent a lot of time healing from trauma. There were so many layers to peel back. I had to so much conditioning to break away from. My self-esteem was ripped from me; I had to slowly build trust and confidence back in myself and learn to not only feel safe within myself but also with others. I also had no idea how to build a business so that in itself was an obstacle.
There are many misconceptions that building a business is easy, and it’s the farthest thing from the truth. It would have been much easier for me to continue to work for someone than to be an entrepreneur.
I remember 2 years ago; I almost threw in the towel. I didn’t know how I was going to pay any of my bills. I sat on my floor with my head in my hands crying wondering what I was going to do. As a single woman with no financial help from anyone, it’s the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life. But damn, I am so glad I did it.
I’ve definitely fallen on my face quite a few times, but it built resilience, and I’ve learned a lot in the process. But this is how we build trust in ourselves; this is how we learn to persevere. The obstacles made me so much more grateful for where I am today.
We’ve been impressed with Olivia SIlvana, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve specialized in ADHD for over a decade and continue my professional development. I am always keeping up on the latest research in ADHD. My business is built on the primary premise of helping other women with ADHD understand themselves, overcome the challenges and barriers that come with ADHD, and empower them to live in a way that works for them. I currently offer coaching services and trainings for women with ADHD in the form of workshops, group coaching, and private 1 on 1 coaching. I will soon be expanding my services for businesses and companies to learn how to support the neurodivergent population.
Many women with ADHD are just finding answers to what they’ve been struggling with their whole lives, and it can feel really lonely when you’ve been misunderstood most of your life. I am extremely relatable because I am real, I show up 100% as myself even if it means being judged and criticized by others which isn’t always easy. I’m really good at making others feel seen, heard, and understood. I don’t think many people are able to do this naturally, and I see it as my gift. It’s just not something that can be taught.
My brand is built on freedom, self-expression, connection, authenticity, adventure, inclusivity, and compassion. I want others to cultivate their own this inner freedom to step fully into who they are and live in a way that feels good to them. And I believe the world needs to stop catering to one brain, way of being, or path. We need to start embracing and supporting others in what works for them rather than forcing them into a box that isn’t realistic.
How do you define success?
Success to me is whenever I’m making a positive impact on my own life or other people in whatever way that looks like, big or small. I see success as those moments when you want to give up, but you keep going, when you fall flat on your face, but you stand back up again. I think it’s normal to view success as a monetary or status symbol, but to me, I hope that above all else, my success is captured around helping others, being able to live as freely as I can, and being surrounded by good people who care just as much as I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oliviasilvana.com
- Instagram: @iamoliviasilvana
