ADHD+Autism knowledgeable personal trainer

[Dopaminefuelled]

Hi,

I don't know if I'm looking for something that doesn't exist but I'd love to know if there is a personal trainer / coach/ body transformation specialist out there that specialises with neurodivergent client or is knowledgeable about it.

Presumably would need to be online.

I'm really looking for an overhaul of my diet and fitness but I'm autistic and have ADHD. I have issues around food - bingeing and also restrictions to safe foods. Worse at times of stress. But makes general body transformation programmes not suitable for me as they include meal plans that would just set me up to fail.

Any ideas/recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

(Incase it's important, I'm 34, 5ft 2in, 14stone, currently do weights in gym 1x a week, run after my 3 year old and I play a team sport so from September will also do 1x sport training and 1x match. Chronic back pain most likely due to weak core but exacerbated by 2*bulging disc)

https://www.facebook.com/lunarosecoach/

She's really good.

I don't as such but I do know neurodiversity in powerlifting is certainly a thing. There's an autistic lifter who I see posting stuff, there's a quiet series for lifters who would be overwhelmed with the music and lights of a usual meet, and I was reading something the other day that said there's lots of lifters that are neurodivergent, and it was written in quite a welcoming all ways of thinking way. I think there's a lot about lifting that appeals to neurodivergent minds.
You could google the powerlifting quiet series and contact them to ask if they know of anyone.

@FizzyWizard thank you, I will look at her social media

@RayKray that's really interesting, thanks. I will look into that

I have ADHD. I would say finding a coach you click with is important. And asking if they have knowledge or experience with neurodiverse clients.

In terms of diet, my coach set me a calorie target and a macro target, but no meal plans. She does/has made helpful meal suggestions though. A lot of it is just prepping to avoid last minute choices. The caloroe target has got tweaked as we go along.

I don't know if you like podcasts but I learned a lot on the Zoe nutrition podcasts, also Glucose Goddess book.

I have found the whole PT journey so helpful, I had already cut down sugar by replacing it with healthy fats, but my trainer increased my calories and got me to log them daily, and increased my protein which keeps me fuller. I got consistent with my mealtimes which has also helped. With ADHD I would often forget to eat, but now eat every 2-3 hours.

My coach also has a weekly check in questionnaire which I love as it forces me to be honest and review.

I have made gradual tweaks, as I go along and find solutions that work for me.

I don't know if you need someone who is more specialised or experienced with disordered eating.

If you have ADHD medication (at the right dose) will probably do more for you than personal training. Which isn't to say that you shouldn't also do personal training! But I would focus on getting the meds right first.

A really great trainer at my gym runs a specialist programme training neurodivergent young men. But I don't think he does online. I can DM you details if you were game to contact him to ask.