Give Yourself Some Leeway: Burnout Recovery for High Achievers

Our bodies are amazing.

We have spent decades in this vessel and still have little understanding of its full potential.

Burnout is often your body and mind's way of signaling that something is out of balance in your life. Discover the self sabotaging behaviors that may be holding you back, and the 3 steps you can take today to listen to your body's needs in order to grow ✨

Have you watched Baby Reindeer on Netflix?

Right now, people have been deep-diving to reveal the identities of the show's characters, as it is based on true events.

Taking the show at face value - obsessive stalker story - is completely missing the point, in my opinion.

Richard Gadd stated that the show depicts 'an emotional truth'.

This emotional truth that we find so relatable, is that we all have a Martha Scott in our lives; a red flag that appears time and time again.

How do you choose to respond?

Are you a Donny Dunn?

How can you break the cycle of self sabotage?

When I started my first business, I was told it was a pipe dream.

When I created my first podcast to talk about my mental health, I was told it was "committing career suicide" because no one will want to employ someone if they consider them to be "mentally unfit".

I was advised that I would be much better off to keep my mouth shut, keep my head down and stay in a secure, corporate job for the next 40 years, and save any pipe dreams for my retirement plans.

Is this really living?

Side Hustle Culture has exploded in recent years, but not all aspects of having your own side gig give you the financial freedom you would expect.

How do you avoid building a business that requires non-stop sacrifice, leaving you more exhausted than your 9-5?

How do you build a business with an exit strategy if it requires your attention at every waking moment?

Here are the decisions you need to make before spending your valuable time on building a successful side hustle.

I get it - sometimes when you feel stuck in a rut, you'll do anything to start making progress again.

Trust me, I've been there many times.

But not everything you do for the sake of personal growth is necessarily helping your personal growth.

So.. how do you know the difference?

Today, let's break it down and set you on the path to true personal growth!

When is the last time you had a Reality Check-in with yourself?

Life can move at such a fast pace that we often live on autopilot, and lose touch with ourselves.

If you want to become the best version of yourself, how can you make progress if you don't evaluate how far you have come so far?

- Who are you?

- Where are you at, right now?

- What do you believe in?

- What is important about what you're doing, right now?

Our lives are the sum of what we spend our time and attention on.

As a High Achiever, what does that say about you?

Do you find your day filled with busy-ness rather than working on your business?

How do you focus on living your life with intention and purpose rather than spinning endlessly on a hamster wheel?

It's time to take a step back, breathe... and Give Yourself Some Leeway... as we dive into the 3 steps you can take right now to find out how to start living life on your terms.

Toxic positivity is like that overenthusiastic friend who insists on seeing rainbows even during a thunderstorm. They mean well, but sometimes miss the mark.

Picture this: you're feeling down, but all you hear is "just think positive!"

It's as if your valid emotions are getting a polite but firm eviction notice.

Not cool, right?

It's literally the Professor Umbridge of Emotions.

Toxic positivity can unintentionally brush aside real feelings, leaving us feeling unheard and misunderstood.

In this episode:

- What is Toxic Positivity?

- The Negative Effect of Avoiding Negative Emotions

- How to Build a Healthy Positivity Framework

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a situation where no matter what you did, you couldn't change the outcome?

Or that you were powerless and had no control over your circumstances?

This feeling of helplessness is known as "learned helplessness" and it can have a significant impact on our lives, especially in the workplace.

In today's episode: - What is Learned Helplessness?

- Selligman's Experiment on Learned Helplessness

- How does Learned Helplessness Affect the Workplace?

- 5 Ways to Overcome Learned Helplessness

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Ready to break the burnout cycle & take back control of your growth and success?

Let's have a quick chat :)

Workplace culture can encourage Workaholism as the key to progress, a sign of commitment, dedication, the secret to success.

Workaholism, or Work Addiction, involves compulsive behavior that interferes with other aspects of life, such as personal relationships, physical health, and psychological well-being. In this episode, Lance Wood and I discuss the workaholic traits we had exhibited before burning out, and how to reclaim a Work Life Balance.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the full interview with Lance Woods:

100 conversations about burnout and I've seen people experience burnout-like symptoms, without the overwhelm.

Then I discovered two other phenomena:

We're seeing this more often nowadays, people becoming burned out from being a working adult by their twenties, left feeling completely lost and having no idea what to do with the rest of their lives.

I, for one, know that I felt this way.

If sharing your story could help one person, how many times would you share it?

As a High Achiever, I often struggled with celebrating my wins.

When is enough good enough? How do we find our purpose, and experience true fulfilment?

We live in world that often glorifies overachievement.

But for High Achievers, setting goals can be a double-edged sword.

In this episode, we will explore the importance of setting realistic and sustainable goals for those who consistently strive for excellence - the High Achievers that push boundaries with great ambition, yet may find themselves walking a fine line between success and burnout.

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Setting goals and reaching milestones is all about evolving, improving, growing - but they do not always create the sense of emotional fulfilment in the way that we think they will.

High achievers have a tendency to think "What's next?" and chase the next shiny object or goal that should take them to the next level...

But what if we made goals about loving what we already have rather chasing the things that seem beyond our reach?

This January, I'm asking you to take a moment to reflect on what you truly want to achieve this year, and explore some ideas to become fully aware of what you really want.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out

It is often stated that Public Speaking is one of our greatest fears - sometimes even greater than the fear of death.

What is it about speaking in front of others that makes us tremble?

Welcome to 2024!

You're probably feeling it too - the wintery gloom, fatigue, list of social events and family obligations...

And on top of that, the sense of dread that 2023 is almost over.

"Where did the time go?"

"All the things I wanted to achieve??"

This self-narrative does not serve you, and can do more harm than good.

In this episode, I want to share with you one of the most challenging lessons I needed to learn as a high achiever.

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The festive season, with its joyous celebrations and family gatherings, can sometimes bring about challenging interactions, especially when faced with a family member who may not fully support your lifestyle choices.

Instead of letting these encounters become sources of stress, frustration or resentment, this is an opportunity to embrace kinder and more compassionate self-narratives. In this episode, we explore how cultivating positive internal dialogues can empower you to navigate these situations with love and understanding.

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I get it - Holiday season is bombarding you with to-do's and social obligations and events.

It can be difficult to catch a moment's rest for self reflection.

But before you put pen to paper for a goddamn New Year's Resolution (seriously, don't get me started), tell me:

- What is your life purpose?

- Did your goals for 2023 align with your purpose?

- Did you know Burnout often occurs when there's a misalignment between personal values, passions, and professional responsibilities?

- Do your goals for 2024 align with your purpose?

It's time to find out with the Japanese concept of Ikigai.

And so, Ikigai, which emphasizes finding the intersection between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, can be a valuable framework for addressing burnout. Ready to discover your Ikigai?

The holiday season, while filled with joy and festivities, can also be a source of stress and overwhelm for many.

Maintaining a sense of balance and staying grounded amidst the chaos is crucial for your overall well-being. In this episode:

- The top stressors in your environment during the festive season

- The sabotaging self-narratives of the perfectionist, people pleaser & high achiever

- The secret to creating genuine, lifelong memories with others

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What do Carpal Tunnel and Burnout have in common?

Sounds like a bit of a stretch at first.

But hear me out:

Just like tennis elbow, carpal tunnel and wrist injuries are caused by grip imbalances, people often experience burnout, stress and overwhelm as a result of lifestyle imbalances.

Have you been so focused on one area of your busy lifestyle, that you have sacrificed sparing time for your family, friends, or your health,?

Dr. Terry Zachary is a former professional golfer and sports chiropractor who 'broke the code' on faulty hand exercise and grip strength training. While he played professional golf tours, Dr. Zachary witnessed dozens of repetitive gripping injuries in pro golfers that resulted in an array of debilitating finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, and elbow problems.

After failing to make the PGA Tour, Dr. Zachary witnessed these same repetitive grip injuries and muscle imbalances throughout grip sports, music, gaming, the workplace, computers, smartphones & hobby.

Dr. Zachary developed Handmaster Plus to easily train all grip muscles in balance and eliminate cumbersome multiple-device hand exercises and grip training routines.

Dr. Zachary’s pursuit of passions led him to ‘lend a helping hand to hand exercise' around the world. He has sold over 1 million units, helping people to 'get a grip on grip' without risking injury.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube here:

I find it tragic, honestly.

The alarming statistic that globally, on average, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day.

How often we underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, mental health support, and the destigmatization of seeking help.

Raising awareness for Men's Health is a cause close to my heart, because we often don't speak up and ask for help when we need it most?

- Why don't men speak up about their mental wellbeing?

- What is the self narrative that keeps men silent?

- Why Now Is The Time For Quiet Men To Speak Up

Effective leadership extends beyond achieving goals and targets.

It involves creating an environment where team members can thrive both professionally and personally.

Following last week's episode on Common Misconceptions of Burnout, there was some lack of understanding of where what burnout really is, and where does it begin?

Burnout starts long before you feel tired, or the brink of exhaustion. The conditioned behaviors that can lead to burnout as as an adult can begin as early as childhood.

Recognizing the early warning signs can be the key to helping you and others avoid feeling stuck in a burnout cycle.

Feeling groggy, dazed, hopeless, numb?

Burnout can have significant effects on the brain, impacting both its structure and function. The inability to process information, make key decisions, impaired memory and sleep disturbances not only affect your productivity at work, it can result in long term health consequences.

Recognize the effect of burnout on the brain, and how to improve your brain health to boost burnout recovery.

"Why put in extra effort when no one appreciates it?"

Quiet quitting is a term used to describe a situation in which an employee disengages from their job and reduces their level of effort and productivity without formally resigning or making their dissatisfaction overtly known.

Instead of resigning or openly expressing their dissatisfaction, employees who engage in quiet quitting often become passive, disengaged, and demotivated in their roles.

The reasons for quiet quitting can vary and may include factors such as feeling undervalued, experiencing a lack of career advancement opportunities, having issues with their manager or coworkers, or feeling that their contributions are not recognized or rewarded.

Instead of actively seeking new employment, employees in this situation may choose to stay in their current job while mentally checking out, resulting in decreased productivity and job satisfaction.

Not only does this cost the global economy $9,000,000,000,000 every year, it is detrimental to your physical, mental and emotional health.

Want more like this?

Discover it here at

Sleep procrastination, also known as bedtime procrastination or sleep postponement, refers to the habit of delaying or putting off going to bed despite the intention or desire to sleep.

It is a phenomenon where individuals willingly stay up later than they should, often engaging in non-essential activities like watching TV, browsing the internet, playing video games, or scrolling through social media, instead of getting the recommended amount of sleep.

Is it really that bad?

What impact could it have on your quality of life?

How do you recognize if you procrastinate your sleep?

What can you do to improve your sleep routine?

Want more like this?

Discover it here at

Ever feel stuck at a Career Crossroads?

Have you outgrown your current role, but don't know how to make that transition into the great unknown?

We grow up with this checklist to achieve happiness and success:

Secure job, house, fancy car, family...

And if you're still not happy?

"Well, you're just ungrateful!"

I was fed this societal conditioning for years, leaving me feel like I had nowhere to turn, that my unhappiness was because I was ungrateful.

How do we break free from this belief, from what we have always been sold as "Living the Dream"?

Does pursuing your passions seems like a distant dream?

Do you feel like that boat has long since sailed?

What would it take for you to break that limiting belief, to finally achieve what you have always had your heart set on?

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with John Leister, a remarkable individual who defied the notion that certain dreams have an expiration date. Tired of feeling like a couch potato in his 30s and 40s, at the age of 55, John embarked on a transformative journey to become a first-time published author, proving that it's never too late to overcome limiting beliefs and pursue your passions.

Join us as we delve into John's personal story, exploring the challenges he faced, the doubts he conquered, and the invaluable life lessons he gained along the way. Through his determination and resilience, John not only fulfilled his dream of becoming an author but also shattered the self-imposed barriers that held him back for decades.

We'll dive deep into:

• John's early aspirations and the beliefs that held him back from pursuing his passion for writing.
• The pivotal moment or catalyst that motivated John to take action and start his writing journey later in life.
• The process of self-discovery and personal growth that occurred as he pursued his dream.
• The challenges and obstacles he encountered and how he overcame them.
• The transformative power of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering belief in oneself.
• The impact of John's story on others who may be grappling with limiting beliefs and self-doubt, regardless of their age or circumstances.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that age should never be a barrier to pursuing one's dreams and passions. John's story is a testament to the fact that with determination, courage, and a willingness to challenge your own beliefs, you can achieve remarkable personal growth and make your dreams a reality, no matter when you decide to start.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will inspire you to break free from your own limiting beliefs and take action towards achieving your goals, regardless of where you are in life's journey.

All too often we overlook the importance of reinforcing our self-esteem and its profound impact on our overall well-being.

Construction work is physically demanding, projects often require long and irregular working hours and are often complex and high-pressure environments.

This toll can lead to exhaustion and increased susceptibility to burnout.

In a rapidly evolving landscape, where old paradigms are shifting, and new challenges emerge daily, the face of leadership is undergoing a profound transformation. What does the future of leadership look like?

Give Yourself Some Leeway was birthed by a vision to create a space to have open conversations about mental health, and how to develop a safe, accepting workplace culture that evolves with the needs of both the company and its people.

This vision is brought to life with every story, experience and life lesson shared on this podcast.

When it comes to making change, we look first to our leaders.

How can we reclaim our leadership for the sake of our future?

In a world filled with challenges and opportunities, diversity in leadership matters more than ever before.

Have you ever wondered what sets a true leader apart from a mere boss?

Is it charisma, communication skills, or something deeper that drives people to follow someone willingly?

In this episode, we dive into the art of becoming a leader who inspires and guides, rather than just a boss who manages tasks.

Our guest, David Hatch, joins us to share his personal journey from being an 'accidental manager' to a successful leader.

Topics include: - The cross-over between leadership and burnout/managing culture

- The accidental manager problem and why we're doing it the wrong way around when it comes to leadership development/training

- What great leadership looks like and how it's distinct from management

If ever there was a story of overcoming setbacks to realize your true potential, this is one for the history books.

Leaders in today's workplace are challenged to prioritize people over tasks, as discussed by leadership expert Stephen Morris and host Eugene Lee. They delve into the flaws of traditional management styles and emphasize the need for personal growth, effective communication, and creating a positive work culture. But just as they uncover the key to successful leadership, a shocking revelation disrupts their conversation, leaving them questioning everything they thought they knew.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Uncover new perspectives on putting people above tasks, revolutionizing leadership in contemporary workplaces.

• Differentiate between leadership and management, crossing the boundaries of typical definitions.

• Discover the significant role of personal growth and self-leadership in heightening potential and achievement.

• Determine the damaging effects depersonalization could impose on employee motivation and wellness.

• Learn how building strong relationships culminates in a positive workplace culture, fostering camaraderie among team members. List 2:

My special guest is Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris is an individual with an inspiring journey that exemplifies the true essence of leadership. Transitioning from a distinguished army senior leader to a CEO, Stephen now employs his accumulated experience to coach future leaders at Renowned Leadership. His commitment to positively influence as many people as possible mirrors in his leadership philosophy. Seeing every individual as a potential leader, Stephen goes beyond the conventional leadership approach, emphasizing long-term value rather than instant results.

Are you tired of feeling like emotional and physical well-being is just out of reach?

Do you crave alternative solutions that are easy, accessible, enjoyable, and won't break the bank?

Today's episode is a special one.

We're celebrating Give Yourself Some Leeway's first anniversary, and I can't believe how quickly time has flown by.

In this episode, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of this past year and share some of the valuable lessons I've learned along the way. 1. Embrace the Learning Curve

2. Consistency is Key

3. Listen to Your Audience

4. Be Creative

5. Overcome Challenges

6. The Power of Networking

7. Celebrate Milestones

8. 💛

As always, this podcast is for you.

If you would like to have your input on future episodes, I would love to hear from you!

Get in touch 👇