Pre-order
1
of
1
Overcoming the Wall of Awful
Why It’s Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and how to do them anyway)
Brief Description
We're afraid to talk about it—that feeling we all get when we need to do something as simple as cleaning the kitchen or sending an email, and we just... can't. It's not because we don't want to; it's because we feel paralysed. We're not aimless. We're...
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
22nd
September 2026
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "Overcoming the Wall of Awful" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
Overcoming the Wall of Awful
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
A groundbreaking, practical guide to accomplishing your goals and thriving in life, written for people with ADHD, autism, trauma and anxiety.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
We're afraid to talk about it—that feeling we all get when we need to do something as simple as cleaning the kitchen or sending an email, and we just... can't. It's not because we don't want to; it's because we feel paralysed. We're not aimless. We're not lazy. Our brains are working against us! We have purpose; we just need guidance.
This is that guide. Just like bricks, negative emotions and experiences can build up until they feel like an impenetrable wall between us and our goals. Brendan Mahan, MEd., MS. calls this the Wall of Awful—and he's lived it. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Mahan has made it his life's work to help people overcome their own Walls of Awful and accomplish their biggest, scariest ambitions.
Mahan draws on twenty years in teaching, counselling, and coaching people with anxiety, ADHD, autism, and trauma. He teams up with writer Alex Hughes Capell in Overcoming the Wall of Awful to present his comprehensive model. The book explores:
- How anxiety works and why it gets in the way
- Why anxiety shuts down your brain
- Ways people try to get past the Wall that don't work—and what does
- How to climb your Wall of Awful and take back control
Learn how to identify key emotions, the bricks in your Wall. Then, learn the tricks, systems, and habits you'll need to not just climb one Wall—but to overcome your blocks throughout your life, one step at a time. The Wall is real, but you are stronger than you know.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399831857
Publisher: John Murray Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 24 September 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Sheldon Press
Illustration: Up to 5 b/w line drawings
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., grew up with undiagnosed ADHD. He has spent the last twenty-five years becoming the person he needed. Mahan draws on his experience as a former teacher, principal, and mental health clinician in his work as a highly esteemed ADHD coach, consultant, celebrated podcast host and speaker. He has coached hundreds of clients with ADHD, autism and anxiety through their most difficult challenges. Over that time, he has built a groundbreaking model that helps people understand and solve their challenges at a deeper level. That model is the subject of this book, 'The Wall of Awful'.
About the Co-writerAlex Hughes Capell is an award-winning career writer of 22 book length projects and numerous shorter pieces. Her ghostwritten books have earned clients accolades and speaking engagements, with one recent project being called, 'a delightful surprise in the world of business literature... with the sharpness of a seasoned strategist and the charm of a natural storyteller'. She is highly conversant with psychology and behavior, neurodiversity and mental health, science, business, and the technology industry. Alex met Brendan on ADHD Twitter, and they became mutuals through discussions on mental health and neurodiversity before deciding to collaborate on a book. In addition to her expertise as a writer, Alex adds patient expertise on the mental health community, anxiety and trauma-informed approaches to the book.More from Health & Wellness
View all-
New ReleaseThe Age Code
What if the food you eat could rewind your biological clock? 'Clear and compelling' — Chris van Tulleken 'Really interesting and insightful' — Joe Wicks 'Fascinating' — Tim Spector From the rising incidence of cancer in the under-50s to increased infertility rates, there are signs everywhere that growing numbers of us are ageing too quickly. Why? Many believe there’s one...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Signed CopyNew Release"What Were You Thinking!?"
Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis. 'What were you thinking!?'If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.In "What Were...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
New Release2027 Witch's Diary - Southern Hemisphere
From the bestselling authors of Spellcasting, which has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, comes the essential witchy journal to plan your days, harness magick, and connect with higher powers. Features include: 8" x 6" (8" x 12" open) Beautiful glossy gold gatefold cover Compact size, perfect to carry in your bag and keep on you throughout the day 12-month...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Surviving White Island
Surviving White Island - Surviving the unsurvivable. Healing from the unhealable. This is an inspiring memoir of physical and mental recovery, from someone who lived through the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption. "I heard someone say, 'Wow!' And someone else exclaimed, 'Look at that!' I had my back to the crater. I turned around. The moment I saw it, I...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
New ReleaseThe Power of Hormones
For decades, three vital hormones in the female body, progesterone, estrogen andtestosterone, have been misunderstood, dismissed and feared. Their critical roles inimproving function of women's brains, bones, hearts and long-term health have beenignored. Confusion between natural, body identical hormones and synthetic, chemically altered'hormones' has fuelled fear, distorted medical guidelines and shaped media narratives.The result? Countless women struggling with hormone imbalances...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
New ReleaseEat Your Ice Cream
The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. ‘Essential reading for anyone who...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Betrayal
‘Tom Bower is the Inspector Morse of investigative biographers, a fluent, phlegmatic storyteller and a master of intricacies.’ Sunday Times The British Crown is in crisis, with constitutional threats at home and abroad. At a landmark moment in royal history, can King Charles overcome the scandals that blight the Royal family? Can the broken bonds between the Houses of Sussex...Paperback$3499Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Signed BookplateNew ReleaseLight Wielder
THE EPIC CONCLUSION TO METAL SLINGER, AKA THE BOOK WITH THE PLOT TWIST THAT BROKE THE INTERNET Sail the seas. Master the blade. Protect your heart. What would you do to have it all? READERS ARE GOING WILD FOR *METAL SLINGER* ‘The BEST plot twist to ever grace my Kindle’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The author is a mastermind. Romantasy is back!!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story
Give Your Mum a Beautiful Gift of Legacy, Love, and Lasting Memories Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story is the fun and delightful way for you to discover everything from your mother's childhood memories to the profound turning points in her life. Featuring specially selected questions in an easy-to-use layout, each intentional section gives Mum a place to share...Paperback$2099Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Crescent City Paperback Box Set
A beautiful box set containing all three paperback instalments of the Crescent City series from #1 bestselling global phenomenon Sarah J. Maas. BOUND BY BLOOD. TEMPTED BY DESIRE. UNLEASHED BY DESTINY. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan - Time Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James – Telegraph Spiced...Set$5499Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition)
Honour his legacy with the greatest gift of all—his story. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Your dad's story is more than just memories—it's a journey filled with wisdom, experiences, and defining moments that shaped his life. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is a guided journal that gives him the chance to share those stories in his own...Paperback$2099Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday -
Strangers
The must-read memoir of the end of a marriage and the start of a personal revolution, based on the iconic Modern Love essay in the New York Times and perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle. "A beautifully written eulogy for the loss of a relationship" — Joyce Carol Oates How do we go on when a loved one betrays us?...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Monday
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
