Julie Legg speaks with Ryan DeLena - a professional mountaineer, author, and mental health advocate. Ryan shares the harrowing realities of his childhood, growing up in therapeutic institutions where physical restraint was a regular response to neurodivergent behaviour. Misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and traumatised, it was ultimately the mountains, and the freedom they offered, that helped him find his way back to himself.

Now a seasoned skier, guide, and the author of Without Restraint, Ryan shares how physical movement, flow states, and deep connection to nature became lifelines. His story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the radical healing power of passion. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or neurodivergent yourself, this episode is a reminder that regulation doesn’t always come from the systems around us but from reconnecting with what lights us up inside.

Key Points from the Episode

• Ryan’s early years in therapeutic schools where physical restraint was used routinely
• The trauma of misdiagnosis and over-medication, and how it delayed his healing
• How ADHD was masked by trauma, and why clarity only came in adulthood
• The emotional and nervous system regulation that came from skiing and nature
• Why the flow state is so beneficial for ADHD minds
• The danger of systems that pathologise neurodivergent kids instead of understanding them
• His documentary 91 and what skiing 91 routes taught him about persistence
• Passion as a survival tool — why doing what you love can be a lifeline
• Ryan’s message of hope to anyone feeling trapped or unseen in the system

Links

BOOK: https://www.without-restraint-book.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.delena.970397/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@extreme_ryan_delena

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/extreme_ryan_delena/

Send a text

Thanks for listening.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains.

🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz

📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast

📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD

ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference. Read More