What happens when a restless mind becomes your greatest gift? In this raw conversation, pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur Laura Dowling opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, how it shaped her restlessness, ambition, and self-doubt—and how she turned those traits into her greatest strengths. From struggling to accept her diagnosis to building a nationwide wellness brand, leading Viva La Vulva, and transforming conversations around women’s health and menopause, Laura’s story is equal parts honesty, hustle, and hope. You’ll hear how she balances business success with self-care, the lessons she learned from failure, and her mission to help women reclaim their health, confidence, and joy.👉
Topics include: ADHD acceptance, anxiety & hyperfocus, functional health & supplements, entrepreneurship fears, women’s empowerment, and living with purpose.
Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, women in business, ADHD warriors, health professionals, and anyone chasing meaning over money.
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro: Why change is always possible
(2:10) – Laura’s ADHD diagnosis: confusion, denial & relief
(6:15) – Accepting her brain: anxiety, impulsivity & masking
(9:40) – When ADHD becomes a superpower (and a kryptonite)
(13:00) – Relationships, motherhood & hyperfocus gone too far
(16:20) – From burnout to balance: learning to say no
(19:00) – How pharmacy shaped her view on real healthcare
(23:15) – Discovering Ayurvedic & preventative medicine in India
(27:40) – Creating her first supplement formula & fighting fear
(31:55) – “What will my peers think?” — launching anyway
(35:10) – Mushrooms, menopause & the rise of functional health
(39:00) – Building Viva La Vulva and breaking Irish taboos
(43:25) – Empowering women to understand their bodies
(47:40) – From Instagram stories to nationwide success
(50:10) – EY Entrepreneur of the Year: imposter syndrome & lessons from Japan
(54:20) – The mindset of abundance & giving back
(57:00) – Advice for entrepreneurs: start now, fail fast, learn faster
(1:00:10) – Finding joy, purpose & connection in the chaos
(1:02:00) – Outro & reflection
Follow Laura: Also known as the Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura is a passionate women's health and wellness expert. With her engaging and relatable approach, she addresses a wide range of topics, including breaking down taboos in women's health, Perimenopause, Menopause and beyond and physical and mental well-being.
Change is Possible with Brian Pennie:
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Sponsors: The Kyne Foundation
Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.