Why I became an Executive Function Coach — and why it might matter to you
If you’re reading this, it means our paths have crossed somewhere along the journey around the sun.
And if we haven’t met yet—hi. I’m Chrissy Nichols.
I’ve spent the last 24 years as an educator. In 2019, I stepped out of the classroom and into coaching, becoming a life coach for teachers through my work with The Chrissy Concept.
At the time, I was burned out.
Not the kind of tired that a weekend fixes—but the kind that lives deeper. The kind that makes you question how something you once loved started to feel so heavy.
So I did what many of us do when we’re in it:
I turned toward the people who understood.
I coached teachers.
And that work grew—beautifully.
I hosted a successful podcast (Teacher Talk), coached inside communities like Wife Teacher Mommy / Educate & Rejuvenate, and spoke at events like Show Up for Teachers. I was surrounded by incredible educators doing meaningful work.
But something started to shift.
The Pivot I Didn’t Plan
Over time, a different kind of client began showing up.
Former students—once small, now in college.
Teachers I had coached for mindset—now facing something more practical.
They would say things like:
“Chrissy, you’ve helped me so much with how I think… but now I just need to get my shiz done.”
“Can you help me finish my paper?”
“Plan my day?”
“Actually follow through?”
And then the line I heard again and again:
“You’ve always known the hacks to get it done.”
At the same time, I started speaking more openly about my own brain—my ADHD, my non-neurotypical wiring, the way my mind works.
And something clicked.
More and more people came—not for mindset alone—but for help with executive function.
Not by design.
But by truth.
What Is Executive Function (Really)?
If that term is new to you, here’s the simplest way I describe it:
Executive function is how we get things done.
It includes skills like:
Time management
Organization of thoughts and ideas
Planning and prioritizing
Follow-through
Self-discipline (especially when motivation is low)
These are not personality traits.
They are skills.
And in today’s world—filled with scrolling, notifications, jump cuts, and constant distraction—these skills are under more pressure than ever.
What If Nothing Is Wrong With You?
This is the question at the center of everything I do:
What if there is nothing wrong with you or your brain?
What if…
You’re not lazy
You’re not unmotivated
You’re not “bad at life”
What if you just haven’t been taught how to work with your brain instead of against it?
Because when you understand your brain, something powerful happens:
You stop shaming yourself…
and start building systems that actually support you.
My Approach (In Real Life)
I don’t believe in forcing productivity.
I believe in alignment + action.
Here’s what that looks like in my work:
I combine thought work (how you think) with systems (how you act)
I teach you how to talk to your brain, not fight it
I help you build momentum through small, doable steps
I focus on self-trust over self-pressure
Because getting things done isn’t just about discipline.
It’s about designing a life your brain can actually participate in.
Who I Help Now
Today, I work primarily with teens and young adults (ages 15–29), as well as the parents who love them.
Together, we focus on:
Building self-trust
Creating structure that actually works
Moving from stuck → into action
Finishing what matters (even when it’s messy)
This work is deeply personal for me.
Because I’m not just teaching it.
I live it.
Start Here (Free Resource)
If this resonates with you, I created something to help you begin right away:
How to Talk to an ADHD Brain (Free Course)
It’s simple, practical, and designed to help you understand your brain (or someone you love) in a way that actually leads to change.
What’s Coming Next
This blog is also my newsletter.
Which means you’ll find:
Simple, science-backed strategies
Tools to break through procrastination
Real-life ways to “get it done”
And reminders that you are not broken—you just need a better system
A Final Thought
You are not behind.
You are not failing.
You are not the problem.
You may just need a new way forward.
And I’m so glad you’re here.