The Human Potential Running Series Podcast · John Lacroix

HPRS Podcast - Episode 67: Unmasking for Authenticity

·45 min·3 clips

John says he leads best "when I'm in a race" and needs space, recovery, and fewer interruptions.

1. HPRS Podcast episode 67, "Unmasking for Authenticity," centers on John LaCroix's explanation of neurodivergence and leadership at Human Potential Running Series. 2. John LaCroix is the host, HPRS owner, and race director, and he frames himself as responsible for both the races and the community culture. 3. The episode asks what it means to lead HPRS without masking ADHD, autism, and the exhaustion that comes with public-facing work. 4. John references episode 66 on transitions and says listeners responded with support, concern, and requests to hear more about what changed. 5. He says he was diagnosed with combined-type ADHD and level 1 autism after working with professionals and then hiring an executive-functioning coach. 6. The Community Roundtable is described as 14 peers who function as an advisory board and feedback loop for HPRS. 7. John says the CRT needed context for why he was stepping back from some front-facing work and asking others to lead more. 8. He explains that autistic burnout for him is not ordinary tiredness but a loss of function tied to sensory overload and masking. 9. John connects race-weekend choices like banning cowbells and dogs to sensory sensitivity for himself and other neurodivergent runners. 10. He also says he avoids spending the whole day at the finish line because every hug, question, and interaction drains energy he still needs for post-race logistics. 11. John describes race weekends like Sheep Mountain and Silver Heels as events where he moves to aid stations for breaks from crowds and stimulation. 12. He says a Sunday trail race at Summit's ended at 2 p.m., but his work continued until 11 p.m. with cleanup and logistics. 13. The phrase "what, so what, now what" appears as a framework from his undergraduate experiential education degree at the University of New Hampshire. 14. John says his diagnosis explains why he reacts strongly to sounds, crowds, and unexpected interruptions, and why social interaction can feel like "emotional CrossFit." 15. He says he processes the world with deep emotional intelligence, intuition, and intensity, but can become drained by coordination, maintenance, and overstimulation. 16. John states that masking felt like acting like someone else, and that he learned to make eye contact, smile, script responses, and suppress stimming. 17. He says he is scaling back the number of races and overnight formats to move toward sustainable leadership rather than constant visibility. 18. The episode's tone is direct, confessional, and self-analytical, with long monologue sections and occasional self-correction as he talks. 19. People involved in HPRS, trail runners, and anyone considering neurodivergent leadership would likely get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners wanting race previews, course logistics, or light trail banter may skip this one.

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