ADHD in Elite Sport: From Shame Spirals to Tag Rugby World Cup Bronze | Sophia Prout

From The Neurodivergent Lens · 1:01:19

Show by Meryem Hassan | Dyscourse

She was diagnosed with ADHD at 16 in the US, thought she'd grown out of it, then diagnosed again in her 20s after the pandemic pulled the routine out from under her. In this episode, former GB tag rugby player and Tag Rugby World Cup bronze medallist Sophia Prout joins Meryem to talk about masking, rejection sensitivity dysphoria and the "shame spirals," and the striking contrast between the coaching environment that made her question everything and the one where she thrived and medalled.Sophia is business manager at Neurodiverse Sport and co-founder of Women in Tag Rugby, which she helped set up. She and Meryem also get into burnout warning signs, the under-researched link between hormones and ADHD, and what a traits-based approach to inclusion in sport actually looks like.What This Episode CoversSophia's ADHD diagnosis, twice over, in two different countriesWhy so many women and girls are missed or misdiagnosedThe exact coaching differences between the team where she struggled and the team where she won bronzeRejection sensitivity dysphoria and managing the internal critical voiceFounding Women in Tag Rugby, from see-through World Cup kit to real change in shorts sizingRecognising burnout before it hits, and giving yourself permission to restHer advice to her younger selfGuest: Sophia ProutSophia Prout is Business Manager at Neurodiverse Sport and a former international tag rugby player who represented Great Britain from 2019 to 2024, winning bronze at the 2023 Tag Rugby World Cup. Drawing on 15 years in science communication and her lived experience of ADHD, Sophia advocates for greater understanding and support-particularly for women. She is also passionate about making sport more equitable and inclusive and co-founded Women in Tag Rugby to amplify underrepresented voices in the sport.Timestamps0:00 – Diagnosed Twice, Two Countries 4:07 – Masking and Speaking Up 6:49 – GB Coaching Gap 19:19 – Rejection Sensitivity and Self-Talk 27:05 – The See-Through Shorts Story35:56 – Hyperfocus, Pressure and Authenticity45:45 – Recognising the Burnout Cycle 52:20 – Neurodiverse Sport and Advice About The Neurodivergent LensA video podcast exploring neurodivergence through conversations with lived and professional experience. Brought to you by Dyscourse - changing minds and empowering differences around neurodivergence: https://dyscourse.orgFree GuideDownload our free guide, Myths & Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence - covering autism, ADHD and dyslexia at https://dyscourse.orgWatch, Listen & ConnectWatch & Subscribe on YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentLensPodcastWebsite: https://dyscourse.org/podcastApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4wVeWmSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vzy9a6fLbo3YnmNUuiM43Download our free PDF guide on Myths & Misconceptions: https://dyscourse.org/ (above footer)Follow:Instagram: @the.neurodivergent.lensLinkedIn: DyscourseFacebook: TheNeurodivergentLensDisclaimer:This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional support. Please seek qualified guidance where needed.

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