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

Eric, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

School was never easy for me. In elementary school, I struggled across all subjects and teachers described me as kind but often “with my head in the clouds.” By 3rd grade, it was clear I was falling behind. I couldn’t read fluently, had difficulty with comprehension, and was below grade level in math and spelling. After working with a reading specialist and undergoing a psychological evaluation, I was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder and a high likelihood of ADHD. My difficulties with focus and weak executive function skills made it hard to keep up.

Middle school proved even more difficult. I didn’t know how to study for tests, and auditory lectures weren’t ideal for my learning style. As my grades dropped, so did my confidence. I worked harder than most of my peers but still struggled to earn Bs and Cs. It wasn’t until college that things started to shift. I learned how to create routines and systems to manage my executive function challenges. I started exercising daily, developed a system for tracking and breaking down to-dos, and used a digital calendar to visualize my busy and free time.

These small wins compounded, and my confidence grew. During my sophomore year, I noticed a major shift. Finals week was approaching, and my stress levels were at an all-time high. In previous years, stress led to procrastination. But this year was different. I committed to daily exercise, even if just for 20 minutes. I created a study plan and incorporated mindful breathing exercises into my study breaks. Instead of procrastinating, I started preparing weeks in advance. My stress levels became manageable, and I was proud of my grades at the end of the semester. This experience inspired me to become a teacher and later an executive function coach for neurodivergent people. I wanted to help them develop the skills I learned later in life, so they could not only improve academically but also build self-esteem.

Eric, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an adult executive function coach with a background in special education and educational therapy. As Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, I work 1:1 with clients, facilitate group courses, work with corporations, speak at conferences, and write a weekly newsletter. Our focus is helping adults, particularly those with ADHD or Autism, develop systems to manage their executive function challenges. Outside of work, you’ll find me outdoors—surfing, snowboarding, hiking, or running. Daily movement is non-negotiable for me as an adult with ADHD.

My journey into this field started at 15 as a snowboard instructor. Teaching snowboarding sparked my passion for helping others learn. After college, I combined my love of teaching and surfing in Nicaragua, where I worked with a local nonprofit to develop a reading and writing program for a rural school.

After returning to the U.S., I completed my Master’s in Special Education, taught middle school, and served as the clinic director at an educational therapy practice. During this time, I noticed a resource gap for adults struggling with executive function skills—skills like organization, task initiation, and emotional regulation which are essential for navigating life. These skills help us make decisions and manage tasks.

That’s why Sean McCormick and I co-founded UpSkill Specialists. While many resources exist for children, adults are often left without guidance on improving these critical cognitive processes. At UpSkill Specialists, we partner with neurodivergent adults to help them design routines and systems to lead more organized, productive lives. Each coaching session is personalized, and we always end with at least one micro-goal so clients leave knowing exactly what steps to take next.

We also work with organizations and corporations to improve workplace productivity by coaching teams on communication, designing routines, and supporting managers in helping their teams strengthen executive function skills. This workplace focus is a growing area as more companies realize the impact these skills have on performance and team dynamics.

I am proud of our individualized approach and our team’s dedication to helping adults improve not just their productivity but their overall well-being. The transformation we see in our clients as they gain control over their lives and achieve their goals inspires me every day.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Networking is a skill I coach many of my clients on, even though it wasn’t something I felt confident about early on. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that many of the best opportunities in my life have come through networking. I got into graduate school thanks to a professor’s recommendation. I became an educational therapist after being introduced to the founder of a practice where I worked for years. And, I met my co-founder, Sean McCormick, through a networking call.

Sean and I connected over our mutual interest in executive function skills. We quickly bonded, both being former college athletes, teachers, and adults with ADHD. We stayed in touch over the course of four years, sharing ideas and staying connected. Eventually, we realized we could fill a much-needed gap by creating an adult executive function coaching practice—and UpSkill Specialists was born.

If I hadn’t taken that call, who knows where my career would be today. That’s why I always encourage my clients to build their network, not just for personal gain, but from a place of service. You never know where a simple connection might lead.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Show up for others with a mindset of genuine service. During every coaching call, course module, networking meeting, or inquiry, I do my best to serve.

My goal is to help someone new each day. By approaching life with this mindset, I not only helped others but also built a profitable business. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we genuinely aim to serve others.

Like many, my life is busy, and I can quickly become overwhelmed, rushing from one session to the next. In these moments, I sometimes lose sight of my service oriented mission. To manage this, I rely on my executive function skills. I created a routine I call “My Final 15”. Each night, I review the day ahead. If it looks overwhelming, I write a small reminder and leave it on my desk. Often, it reads: “I have, and will continue to make a profound impact in the lives of others.” Or, “Before each session, pause and ask yourself: Who do you want to be?” These mindful pauses help me slow down, become present, and show up for others from a place of service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.upskillspecialists.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultexecutivefunction
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaufmann-m-s-special-education-3b8096b0/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Eric_UpSkill
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpSkillSpecialists
• Other: Newsletter: https://www.upskillspecialists.com/newsletter

  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@upskill_eric?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc