We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashmi Patel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashmi below.

Ashmi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to support individuals, particularly undiagnosed and late-diagnosed ADHD women, in finding their voice, agency, and confidence to live a life that aligns with their values and desires. In the social change map by Deepa Iyer, I identify as a caretaker, a guide, and a storyteller. I aim to create a community of care by using my creative energy and willingness to be vulnerable to give my clients a safe space to unmask and break free from conventional paths, dismantle limiting beliefs, and create a life that resonates with who they truly are.

This mission is deeply meaningful to me because of my own experiences navigating a world that wasn’t designed for people like me. As a first-generation Indian American child of immigrants, I’ve encountered challenges related to being unseen and unheard, grappling with code-switching, and trying to fit into a mold that didn’t align with my true self. My diagnosis with ADHD in my thirties further shaped my perspective and allowed me to stop masking, let go of the shame, and embrace my neurodivergence rather than trying to conform.

Women of color, in particular, face systemic challenges such as racial and gender-based discrimination, limited access to resources, and societal pressures that can hinder their ability to pursue their dreams. These barriers often result in feeling overlooked, invalidated, and unsupported. My mission is to help these women navigate and overcome these obstacles, providing them with a safe, judgment-free space to voice their dreams and aspirations and empowering them to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

I hope the impact of my work goes beyond individual transformation—I hope it contributes to a world where more people can live authentically and share their kindness and acceptance with others. I firmly believe that helping people find their voice and design a life they truly want is a catalyst for positive change, both for them and for the communities they touch. This mission drives me every day, and I’m honored to walk alongside others on their journey to a more fulfilling life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey everyone! I’m Ashmi Patel (she/her), and I’m excited to share a bit about myself and my journey with you all. In a nutshell I’m wildly curious, easily excitable, a deep feeler, and a constant daydreamer! I’m a first-generation Indian American child of immigrants, and I live in Dallas, TX. My path to becoming a life coach was a mix of self-discovery, personal growth, and embracing my neurodivergence. That sounds like it was a lovely little linear journey, huh? But what really happened was, I tried really hard to please everyone around me, meet the expectations put on me, and grind through to a traditional path. I was burnt out and feeling unfulfilled in everything I tried.
In my thirties, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which completely shifted my perspective on life. It finally gave me the freedom to design a life that works for me and my interest based brain. That newfound clarity made me realize I wanted to help others do the same—especially other BIPOC women and women with ADHD.
So, what do I do? As a life coach, I work with undiagnosed and late-diagnosed ADHD women, helping them break free from survival mode, burnout, and overwhelm. My goal is to guide them toward a life with more ease, space, and choice. I’m all about soft accountability and slow journeys, helping my clients trust their intuition and design a life that feels right for them.
What sets me apart is my focus on radical self-acceptance and my nuanced approach to each client. There’s no one-size fits all approach to coaching, we all have different experiences that deserve attention, space, and full consideration. I don’t want my clients to “hack” their way into conventional standards. Instead, I want them to embrace their unique strengths and let go of perfectionism and people-pleasing tendencies. That way, they can reclaim their time and energy and thrive fully.
I’m super proud of the supportive community I’ve built, offering a safe space for my clients to unmask and be themselves without judgment. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them gain confidence and start showing up authentically in all parts of their lives. So, if you’re tired of following the rules and want to break free from the mold, I’m here to help you explore your dreams and design a life that feels true to you.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Something I had to unlearn was the belief that my struggles and challenges were a result of personal failure or inadequacy. For most of my life, I believed that if things were tough, it was because I wasn’t trying hard enough. But in reality, I was putting in ten times the effort just to keep up with others, unknowingly trying to fit into a neurotypical mold.

My journey with undiagnosed ADHD for over three decades was filled with struggle and shame. I worked two or three times as hard as my peers just to grasp concepts at school, constantly burning out and reinforcing limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome. Despite my successes, I felt a deep sense of shame from “not getting it” and not being able to keep up in the same way others did.

The revelation of my ADHD diagnosis in my early thirties was transformative. It provided me with clarity and allowed me to see that many of my struggles were not personal failings but rather related to my neurodivergence. I had to unlearn the belief that my lack of organization, my big feelings, and my challenges were character flaws or signs of laziness.

The diagnosis also led me through a process of grief—mourning the life I could have had if my ADHD had been recognized earlier and understanding that the challenges I faced could have been mitigated with proper support. This journey taught me the importance of embracing my unique qualities, including my intense feelings and passion, which society had often seen as flaws.

Today, as a life coach, I help other women who may be facing similar struggles to finally feel seen, shed the shame, and reclaim their lives. I strive to provide a safe space for them to grieve the life that could have been and empower them to embrace who they are without apology. Unlearning the belief that I was the problem was the key to unlocking a more authentic, fulfilling life, and I am committed to helping others do the same.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Ok, I really love this question, and probably not why you think. I have a complicated relationship with resilience and have all of the thoughts about it. resilience is a great trait to have, especially when you’re facing tough times. It can sometimes lead us to stick with an impossible goal or stay in a situation that’s just not working. For me, my resilience sometimes masked the fact that I was struggling, especially with my undiagnosed ADHD. I pushed through challenges and kept up with everyone else, which may have led people to think I had it all under control. But in reality, this constant pushing took a toll and contributed to burnout. This is true for many women, and I think it’s part of the reason why ADHD can go undetected for so many years in women.
So while resilience can be a strength, I’ve learned that it can also keep us stuck if we’re not careful. I believe it’s about finding a balance between persevering and knowing when to take a step back and reassess what’s really best for us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashmipatel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashmipatelcoaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashmi-patel/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashmipatelcoaching