Welcome to episode #109! We’re thrilled to be joined by Warwick Donaldson.
Warwick Donaldson is the founder and managing director of CapXcentric, a startup consultancy helping founders raise capital with clarity and confidence. After discovering his ADHD in his early thirties, Warwick learned that what once looked like chaos was actually a different kind of focus. Now clean, sober, and running his own business, he’s building a life that works with his brain instead of against it.
JN: When did you realize you weren’t neurotypical?
– Diagnosis came only a few years ago after a social worker date casually asked if he had ADHD
– Spent months reflecting, researching, and taking online ADHD assessments
– Finally found an affordable psychiatrist who confirmed the diagnosis
– Realized his lifelong intensity and impulsivity now made sense
JN: How did the diagnosis change your life?
– Radically improved clarity and self-understanding
– Medication (Vyvanse) helped reduce impulsivity and emotional volatility
– Therapy helped unpack years of negative self-beliefs from being “the difficult kid”
– Gained tools for self-compassion and communication
JC: What traits stood out as signs of ADHD?
– Impulsivity, addictive behaviors, and intense hyperfocus
– Addicted to stimulation: partying, smoking, and long techno nights
– Difficulty with emotional regulation and rejection sensitivity
– Persistent drive and energy — a blessing and curse
JN: How did this affect your career path?
– Worked in finance, startups, and tech; 13 years across multiple roles
– Never lasted long in one job — realized novelty drives motivation
– Now runs his own startup consultancy, designed around his ADHD rhythm
– Focuses on early-stage founders and capital raises where variety and chaos thrive
JC: What changed after you started working for yourself?
– Finally able to drop the mask and be authentic
– Created “CapXcentric” as a brand that reflects his true personality
– Most of his clients also have ADHD, creating mutual understanding and trust
– Learnt to stop pretending to fit conventional corporate molds
JN: How do you manage focus and prevent burnout now?
– No alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes for over two years
– Strict work boundaries: 8 AM to 6 PM only, no weekends
– Regular walks, gardening, and phone-free mornings
– Clear routines and environmental design (no phones in the bedroom, pill boxes next to coffee)
JC: How did sobriety change your life?
– Forced him to face unresolved issues without escape
– Deepened family and partner relationships
– Helped rediscover interests outside work
– Built real hobbies — gardening, cooking, reconnecting with nature
JN: How do you balance your work in a “hustle culture” industry?
– Rejects constant-availability culture in startups
– Sets firm client boundaries and communicates expectations clearly
– Believes productivity comes from structure, not endless hours
– “People will adapt faster than you think when you stop replying at midnight.”
JC: What’s your advice for others with ADHD?
– “Lean into who you are instead of fighting it.”
– Design your life around your wiring, not society’s expectations
– Self-acceptance is a practice, not a finish line
– The earlier you start, the easier life becomes
Connect with Warwick:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warwickdonaldson/
Website: https://www.capxcentric.com/
Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io
Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/
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