About Me
Hello, I’m Ani Zakari—a certified ADHD Life Coach-In-Training. I am deeply familiar with navigating the daily challenges, emotional ups and downs, and hidden strengths that come with having ADHD. My education and professional background, coupled with my own lived experience having ADHD and being the parent of a child with ADHD, enable me to deeply understand and connect with teens and adults who struggle with executive functioning skills and managing the daily demands of life. It’s also what fuels my passion for helping others navigate their own lives in a way that works with their unique wiring—not against it.
Whether I’m supporting a teen overwhelmed by school and social demands or an adult striving to build sustainable routines or achieve success in the work and home life, I believe every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. My role is to help uncover self- awareness and systems that align with how your brain works, so you can move toward your goals with confidence and clarity.
Credentials
Certified ADHD Life Coach-In-Training (CALC) from the iACTcenter
Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from New York University
B.A. in Early Childhood Education from George Washington University
My Story
In addition to being a certified ADHD Life Coach-In-Training, I am also a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, a wife, a mom to three amazing young adults, a dog mom to two lovable pups, and a dedicated community member and volunteer who’s always eager to jump in and help out. Understanding how to work with my neurodivergent brain has enabled me to create a life that is very full—and yes, sometimes beautifully chaotic.
Growing up, I didn’t know I had ADHD. I faced a lot of academic and personal challenges and often wondered why school felt so much harder for me than it seemed to be for others. Studying, doing homework, keeping up with assignments—none of it came easily. My report cards would say I was “bright” but just needed to “apply myself.” Deep down, I knew I had potential, but I just couldn’t figure out how to tap into it.
My report cards would say I was “bright” but just needed to “apply myself.” Deep down, I knew I had potential, but I just couldn’t figure out how to tap into it.
It wasn’t just school, either. Staying organized, managing my time, keeping focus, and finishing what I started were constant struggles. Despite my challenges, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I went on to work with clients of all ages in all kinds of settings—hospitals, schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and private practice.
After my third child was born, I took a break from my career to focus on being a stay-at-home mom, and I found myself drawn to volunteering. I took on numerous leadership roles across different organizations, but with everything on my plate, life often felt like a blur: unread emails, half-finished projects, and plenty of last-minute dashes out the door.
Everything changed when my youngest was diagnosed with ADHD. Searching for tools and strategies to help him succeed in school, I developed a passion for learning everything I could, diving into the world of ADHD—books, courses, podcasts, anything I could get my hands on. I started finding so much of myself in what I was reading, and was surprised how much of this knowledge equipped me to tackle some of my own personal challenges, too. At age 40, I too was officially diagnosed with ADHD—and honestly, it was a huge relief! Suddenly, all those lifelong struggles made sense. I wasn’t lazy or unmotivated, my brain just worked differently. It took many years, and a lot of trial and error, but over time we both figured out what worked for us.
At age 40, I too was officially diagnosed with ADHD—and honestly, it was a huge relief! Suddenly, all those lifelong struggles made sense. I wasn’t lazy or unmotivated, my brain just worked differently.
As I began sharing my experience and learned knowledge with friends and other parents navigating similar paths, my insight started having the same monumental impact on them as learning it did for me. I realized this was something I wanted to dedicate my life to, and it’s what drove me to obtaining my certification as an ADHD Life Coach.
Today, I help adults and teens discover their strengths, build effective strategies, and create lives that work for them. I know what it’s like to feel stuck and frustrated—like you’re living in a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. But I also know, firsthand, what’s possible when you stop trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. ADHD doesn’t have to hold us back. In fact, it can often be our most powerful source of creativity, innovation, and drive.
Who I Work With
While I specialize in ADHD Life Coaching, you don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from coaching. Many people—students, professionals, creatives, parents—struggle with executive functioning challenges like organization, time management, follow-through, or staying focused. Whether or not these challenges are tied to a diagnosis, coaching can provide valuable support and structure that can help anyone move forward.
As your coach, I serve as a listening partner—someone who holds space for your thoughts, asks powerful questions, and helps you uncover insights you may not see on your own. Coaching is not about advice-giving; it’s about evoking your awareness so you can make meaningful choices and create sustainable change. Together, we’ll identify what’s getting in your way and build strategies that align with how you work best.