​​​​​​​​What is BIOME movement?

BIOME movement encourages ADHDers to move and exercise in a way that respects their unique needs. This incorporates a neuro-inclusive approach, bringing together sports science, academic research, and lived experience of ADHD and exercise. BIOME movement helps you explore how to make exercise part of your life.​

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Why is standard exercise advice not always suitable?

Exercise shouldn't feel like a constant battle, yet for many ADHDers, it can be hard to start, difficult to stick to, and almost impossible to turn into a lasting habit. Too often, we are told the answer is more discipline, better routines, or simply trying harder. BIOME movement offers a different approach, redefining exercise through a strength-based lens—helping ADHDers discover ways of moving that work for them, whilst acknowledging the challenges.

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What is the BIOME movement approach?

The BIOME movement approach invites you to discover movement that fits around you. It encourages you to exercise in ways that recognise your individual needs, experiences and circumstances, rather than expecting you to fit a standard approach to exercise. This approach is designed to help you find movement that motivates and empowers you, from a place of strength and positivity.

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Is this just for ADHD and neurodiversity?

The BIOME movement approach is for everyone—we can all benefit from making exercise an accessible feature in our lives. For many people, our modern environment often fails to meet our needs. Now more than ever, we need to harness the power of movement to support mental and physical health. With that said, Helen has discovered firsthand the benefits of exercise in supporting ADHD. So, if you are an ADHDer, you may find this approach beneficial.

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What does the BIOME movement approach involve?
You will learn the BIOME movement principles and see how they fit into your own life. This means learning the principles, exploring what they mean in the context of your own life, and using them to shape how you exercise. The aim is not to find the ‘right’ exercise programme. It is to develop the knowledge and confidence to make exercise work for you. There are 4 ways to access BIOME movement:

BIOME insight provides knowledge and information to help you understand ADHD, exercise and your own experiences of physical activity. This is where you redefine exercise as an ADHDer.

BIOME exercise puts the principles into practice through exercise sessions designed around the BIOME movement approach.

BIOME physio connects you with specialist support in ADHD and exercise, helping you explore and adapt exercise around your individual requirements and circumstances.

BIOME community is your space to learn from other ADHDers, share experiences, be inspired, and discover different ways of approaching exercise.​

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Do I need equipment?

Yes and no. It depends on you. You might find certain equipment (or the absence of equipment) that supports your movement and exercise. If equipment is used, it is carefully researched, curated and tested. However, these are suggestions only (everyone has unique circumstances to be considered, so please seek professional advice before using anything recommended here). ​​​​​

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Where do the BIOME movement strategies and recommendations come from?

Everything on this website and used in the BIOME movement approach has been carefully and thoughtfully sourced. This means that all the recommendations made and all the equipment and techniques here meet the criteria for suitability from an ADHD perspective. In addition, Helen has tried and tested everything and uses many of the approaches here in her own exercise journey.

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Are the resources, exercises and activities suitable for everyone?

This website and associated resources are for informational purposes only and do not provide individual or group medical or healthcare advice. Many of the physical activities and exercises suggested here may be dangerous if done without proper guidance. The information provided on this website and its associated YouTube channel is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. Before changing your physical activity, contact your doctor or physiotherapist (physical therapist). Alternatively, contact Helen for professional guidance.

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What if you have a health condition or additional needs?

The BIOME movement approach is designed to be flexible, as every person has their own unique needs. ADHD often comes with a variety of health concerns that can affect how you experience and approach exercise. These may include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), hypermobility, dysautonomia, obesity, differences in body awareness (proprioception), sensory sensitivities, as well as mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Many ADHDers also take medications that can influence how exercise feels or what’s safe for you. That’s why BIOME physio offers tailored recommendations to fit your specific needs. If you have questions about your personal situation, contact Helen for guidance.

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Who is Helen?

Helen is the person behind BIOME movement. Here, she brings together the latest research evidence with her personal experience of using movement to feel good with ADHD. She has dedicated her life to understanding how we can use exercise to improve our health and well-being. She offers a unique take on movement that respects ADHD.

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Why is Helen qualified to provide information about ADHD and exercise?

Helen is a proud ADHDer. At BIOME movement, she takes her lifelong passion for movement and mind-body practices, such as yoga, Kung Fu, and breathwork, and combines them with her sport-focused background of running, climbing, pole sport, and calisthenics (plus a sprinkle of fun and creativity). Alongside this, she has decades of experience in healthcare and holds qualifications in physiotherapy, public health, hypopressives, acupressure, the science of health and wellbeing, stress reduction practices (SIRPA) and functional training.​​​ When combined with an ADHD perspective, she has a wealth of knowledge about how to make exercise ADHD-friendly.

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Is Helen a medical professional?

Yes, Helen is a chartered physiotherapist, registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the Health and Care Professions Council​. She practices physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, depending on where you are in the world, which utilises physical approaches to enhance health. This is exactly what BIOME movement aims to do - use physical activity to support improved physical and mental health and well-being. Therefore, BIOME movement and ADHD-friendly exercise are a physiotherapeutic approach. 

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Is Helen a doctor?

Yes, but not a medical doctor. Helen is an academic researcher. She has a PhD in public health and has multiple peer-reviewed articles published. ​She researches how to improve public health evidence so that research can provide the best possible scientific evidence that includes different perspectives. 

 

What is Helen's research about?

Helen earned her doctorate in public health and has become an expert in creating evidence to guide health decisions about what works, for whom, and why. She focuses on helping people with different viewpoints work together. As someone with ADHD, Helen cares deeply about making sure everyone’s voice is heard and that health evidence reflects a wide range of perspectives, not just those of academics or government decision-makers.​ She is actively involved in researching ADHD and exercise and hopes to bring some of her knowledge about collaboration to ADHD-related projects.​

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Is BIOME movement for you?

Perhaps getting started is difficult. You might lose interest or focus partway through, find conventional exercise boring or unrewarding, struggle to make exercise part of your life, or find that your changing needs make routines difficult to maintain. Perhaps you already exercise, but feel that conventional exercise advice doesn’t reflect how you experience it. BIOME movement starts from a different question: instead of asking how you can fit yourself into exercise, we ask how exercise can work for you.

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