Burnout Proof | Build a Business, Life + Career Without Burnout

Stayed up until 2AM. Woke up at 9:20. Opened your laptop to Google one thing and suddenly it's noon—and your brain is screaming that the day is over.Sound familiar?In this raw, unfiltered episode, Ellyn shares what happened when a simple Google search turned into a full ADHD research spiral (complete with sheet changing, laundry folding, and creating a 12th AI persona). But here's the thing: she wasn't wasting time. She was learning, organizing, regulating, and structuring—just not linearly.This episode digs into the messy truth of being high-functioning when your brain doesn't work the way you think it should. Whether you have an ADHD diagnosis, suspect you might, or just know your brain operates differently—this one's for you.Key Quotes"Self-awareness is data. Not vibes, not drama. Data.""You can compensate so well that your impairment looks like high performance, especially under chronic pressure.""The real question isn't 'Do I have the label?' The real question is: Am I honoring what I know about myself?""My Notion dashboards are not aesthetic hobbies. They are scaffolding for my life.""Self-awareness without implementation is frustration. Self-awareness with implementation? That's power.""You don't need a clinical stamp of approval to trust what you already know about yourself. You just need to stop apologizing for it."Resources MentionedMindset Meets Systems Challenge → coachellyn.com/challengeSunday CEO Diaries (email list) → coachellyn.com/listFree Skool Community → Join for more burnout-proof strategies

If you’ve been telling yourself “I just need to be more consistent,” this episode is your reality check: a lot of what we call a mindset problem is actually a systems and infrastructure problem.After getting hit with an unplanned $3,000 tech bill, I realized my stress was not coming from my business. It was coming from friction I had been tolerating for way too long. Glitchy hardware, broken ports, janky workarounds, and daily troubleshooting were quietly draining my nervous system.In this episode, we unpack how tech friction turns into procrastination, avoidance, reactivity, and the shame spiral of “what is wrong with me.” And we land on the Sunday CEO truth: if your system only works when you babysit it, it’s not a system. It’s a stress hobby.In This Episode, We Cover:Why “I can’t be consistent” is often a nervous system response, not a character flawHow tech friction creates burnout fuel, even when everything “technically still works”The hidden cost of constant workarounds: time loss plus emotional recoveryThe line you need to remember: if your system needs babysitting, it isn’t a systemA tiny audit question that will instantly show you what is draining you mostThe Key Quote: “If your system only works when you babysit it, it’s not a system. It’s a stress hobby.”Tiny Action Steps:Answer this honestly: What’s the most annoying “it technically still works” thing you’ve been tolerating in your business or life?Then ask: What is that costing you in nervous system energy?Links + ResourcesMindset Meets Systems Challenge (Feb 16–20): https://www.coachellyn.com/challengeBurnout-Proof Business: https://coachellyn.com/bpbThe Burnout Quiz: https://www.coachellyn.com/quizListener Question: What’s one piece of “digital duct tape” you’ve been relying on that you know is making everything harder?

Does the state of the world ever feel like it's burning you out? The last few years have been heavy—and right now feels especially dystopian. In this raw, unfiltered episode, I'm talking about what we actually need when everything feels like it's falling apart: systems that carry the weight when we can't.This isn't a tactical how-to episode. It's a behind-the-scenes look at why systems aren't just about productivity—they're self-care infrastructure. I'm sharing the exact systems that have held me through processing heavy emotions, taking a public political stand, and navigating the chaos of building a business while the world feels like it's on fire.In This Episode:Why emotional burnout is different (and what to do about it)The reframe that changed everything: systems as self-care, not productivity hacks7 specific systems that have supported my mental, emotional, and physical health when the world is heavyHow to let your systems hold you when you can't hold yourselfWhy "fuck perfect" is the most important mindset right nowKey Timestamps:04:46 - What emotional burnout actually is (and why it's so insidious)10:02 - The reframe: systems become self-care13:12 - Morning routines that regulate your nervous system15:43 - How systems let you fall into autopilot when you need to17:37 - Why we build systems in the first placeResources Mentioned:Daily Check-In & Check-Out pages (Notion templates)Habit Tracker systemWeekly Review processFinance Hub for reducing uncertaintyCEO Schedule for removing decision fatigueJoin the Mindset Meets Systems Challenge:Ready to build systems that actually support you—not just your productivity? Join the free Mindset Meets Systems challenge in February and learn how to create infrastructure that holds your business (and your humanity) when the world feels heavy.👉 Join the challenge hereConnect with Ellyn:Website: coachellyn.comBurnout-Proof Business: coachellyn.com/bpbTake the Burnout Quiz: coachellyn.com/quizInstagram: [@coachellyn]If this episode resonated with you:Follow the show on Spotify or Apple PodcastsLeave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsShare this episode with a friend who needs to hear itDM me on Instagram and let me know what landedEpisode Keywords: burnout prevention, emotional burnout, systems for entrepreneurs, self-care for solopreneurs, sustainable business systems, stress management entrepreneurs, nervous system regulation, business infrastructure, work-life integration, burnout recovery

You're doing everything right—boundaries, meditation, systems—but you still feel exhausted, irritable, and like you're operating at 70% capacity. What if the problem isn't your mindset or your schedule... but physical imbalances you don't even know exist?In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Van Antoine, founder of Phoenix Functional Health and functional health practitioner who specializes in working with female entrepreneurs. Jessica comes at burnout from an angle most coaches completely miss: the physical data—food sensitivities, gut health, cortisol patterns, and mineral imbalances—that shows you why your body is running on fumes even when you're "doing all the right things."Jessica shares her own burnout story (working 90 hours a week at a wellness center while literally taking up smoking just to get a break), the moment she realized self-care alone wasn't enough, and how functional lab testing changed everything. We dive into the tests most service providers have never heard of, what your body is trying to tell you, and why your body is actually your business's most important asset.If you're the kind of Sunday CEO who's tried everything and still doesn't feel like you should—this episode is your permission slip to get the data.Key Timestamps00:00 - Welcome to the Burnout-Proof Podcast02:12 - Jessica's burnout story: 90-hour weeks and smoking to take breaks08:02 - The first test that changed everything: food sensitivities15:33 - Leaky gut explained (and how to heal it)24:31 - The Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and burnout markers34:09 - The Dutch Test: cortisol, hormones, and your body's stress response40:26 - Why stress fundamentally changes how your body works45:23 - Jessica's toolkit: massage, osteopathy, acupuncture, and functional testing50:09 - Why your body is your business's most important assetAbout Jessica Van AntoineJessica Van Antoine is the founder of Phoenix Functional Health and has been in the health and wellness industry since 2009. She's a former massage therapist, yoga teacher, and wellness educator who evolved into functional health practice after her own burnout breakdown showed her that self-care alone wasn't enough. Jessica now works specifically with female entrepreneurs to address the physical imbalances—food sensitivities, gut health, cortisol dysregulation, and mineral deficiencies—that keep high-achievers operating at reduced capacity.Connect with Jessica:Website: phoenixfunctionalhealth.comInstagram: @phoenixfunctionalhealthLinkedIn: Jessica Van AntoineResources Mentioned:Adrenal Mocktail Ebook (remineralize your body) - on Website4-Week Home Detox Guide (room-by-room chemical audit) - ⁠on Website⁠Food Sensitivity TestingGI Map (gut microbiome stool test)Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)Dutch Test (cortisol and hormone testing)Functional lab testing vs. standard bloodworkJoin the ConversationThis episode is packed with resources on Jessica, functional health testing, and how to actually fix what's broken in your body—not just band-aid it with more self-care hacks.Join us inside the free Skool community where I've dropped links to all of Jessica's resources and testing options, my breakdown of which tests to start with, plus my brand new Notion Tip of the Week series for service providers who want their business systems to actually support them.Search "Coach Ellyn Skool community" or check the show notes for the direct link.

In this episode, Ellyn breaks down why your systems don't need a complete overhaul—they just need a strategic reset. She shares her three-question framework for identifying what's actually working, what's creating friction, and what ease could look like in your business. Plus, she walks through a real example of how she simplified her weekly review process to take 15 minutes instead of 45.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:The Build, Use, Tweak Framework: How to approach system maintenance as an ongoing practice, not a one-time eventThe 3-Question System Reset: A simple audit process to identify what's working, what's cluttered, and where you can create easeReal-World Example: How Ellyn simplified her weekly review by embedding her Notion databases directly into the templateThe Power of Romanticizing System Maintenance: Why making your systems work feel sacred helps you stay consistentHow to Prioritize System Updates: Create a 6-month calendar with one small system update per weekKEY QUOTES"You're not removing value, you're removing friction.""System maintenance and system improvement is not a one-time event, it is ongoing.""If your systems feel like a drag, you're not going to do it. But if they feel sacred and cozy, you're going to actually do it."THE 3-QUESTION RESETWhat's actually working right now? Identify the systems, tools, and processes that are serving you wellWhat feels cluttered and overwhelming? Pinpoint where friction exists in your current setupWhat would ease look like this quarter? (Or: What's creating friction right now?) Envision what a simplified version could beNotion - The systems platform Ellyn uses for her business infrastructureSunday CEO Diaries - Ellyn's email newsletter for burnout-proof strategiesFree Monday Morning Notion Tips: Weekly live streams in Ellyn's free Skool community⁠NEXT STEPS:Ready to simplify your systems? Start by answering the three questions from this episode. Pick ONE priority and ONE system to focus on first. Then create your 6-month calendar with one small system update per week.Want more support? Join Ellyn's free Skool community for weekly Monday morning Notion tips, or subscribe to the Sunday CEO Diaries.CONNECT WITH ELLYNWebsite: coachellyn.comEmail List: coachellyn.com/listEllyn's free Skool community⁠This episode is part of the Systems pillar of Ellyn's Sustainable Success Framework.

What if work-life balance is a lie? What if passion won't save you from burnout? In this episode, Ellyn breaks down the three wrong goals that are setting high achievers up to fail-and reveals the one goal that actually matters: sustainability.Whether you're a student grinding through all-nighters, a corporate employee using PTO to recover instead of live, or an entrepreneur resenting the business you built-this episode will shift how you define success.QUOTES TO SHARE:"You're not burning out because you're doing something wrong. You're burning out because you're chasing the wrong goals entirely.""Passion is fuel, but without proper systems and boundaries, you're just burning faster.""Fast growth feels like success until your body forces you to stop. Until you can't get out of bed. Until you dread the thing you once loved.""You get lucky by staying in the game long enough for luck to find you. Luck, opportunity, timing, momentum-they all require one thing: you still being in the game.""The sustainable path might look less impressive in year one, but by year seven? You're still here. You're still energized. You still love what you do."RESOURCES MENTIONED:Alex Hormozi quote: "You get lucky by staying in the game long enough for luck to find you"Movie reference: Click with Adam Sandler (about fast-forwarding through life)CALLS TO ACTION:Join Burnout-Proof Business - Founding member pricing ends late January 2026Inside: 2x/week Implementation Labs, complete Sustainable Success Framework, community support: Click HereFree Resources:- Sunday CEO Diaries newsletter: coachellyn.com/list- Free Skool community: coachellyn.com/communityFor Students: Student support and mentorship services: Click Here

If you've ever hustled harder than you needed to, created struggle just to feel like you're earning your success, or felt suspicious when things start flowing easily.The big idea: Ease isn't a red flag—it's what competence looks like after years of prep work. But when you've spent your whole life correlating struggle with worthiness, learning to trust ease is its own kind of growth work.What we cover:The unexpected realization that came from a My Girl Monday reflection: I've been suppressing ease itselfWhy high achievers mistake ease for a warning sign instead of recognizing it as readinessThe belief underneath it all: that success should be hard, and if it's not, it doesn't countWhat my AI agent Chelsea said that made me read it four times: "The ease you're feeling isn't a red flag. It's what competence feels like after years of prep work"How I've been grading myself poorly on "growth" because I wasn't grindingThe disconnect between my value statement for fulfillment and what I've actually been doingThree practical shifts I'm making: giving permission to not force, acknowledging growth that's already happened, extending grace to myselfThe harder question: What are you afraid will happen if you let it be easy?Key quote:"We don't build the systems and do the work of growth so that we can keep struggling forever. That's not the freaking point. We do it so that eventually things get easier. And when they do, we get to celebrate that."Your three reflection questions:Where am I forcing challenge or difficulty that doesn't need to be there?What belief am I holding about success that makes me distrust ease?What would it look like to extend grace to myself the way I do to others?The permission slip you needed:You're allowed to let it be good. You're allowed to have things go well without waiting for the other shoe to drop. You're allowed to trust ease and flow and alignment. Success doesn't have to be hard to be real.Next steps:- Join the Sunday CEO Diaries: CoachEllyn.com/list- Join the Skool community: CoachEllyn.com/community- Join Hailey's My Girl Monday Call here- If this resonated, leave a review and subscribe

Before you set ambitious goals for 2026, ask yourself one critical question: Can your SYSTEMS actually support them? In this episode, burnout & systems strategist Ellyn Schinke walks you through the 3-question system audit that prevents the dreaded Q2 burnout and helps you scale sustainably.Every January, entrepreneurs set big revenue goals, launch goals, and growth goals—then burn out by March because their systems weren't built to handle the scale. If it broke at $200K, it will absolutely shatter at $500K.In this episode, you'll learn:-The 3 system audit questions every entrepreneur needs to ask before setting 2026 goals-How to identify the system gaps that are holding you back from scaling-What to stop doing in 2026 to make room for sustainable growth-The exact 4-step process to map your goals to the systems you needThis episode covers the SYSTEMS pillar of the Sustainable Success Framework.business systems audit, prevent entrepreneur burnout, goal setting for entrepreneurs, scale without burnout, solopreneur systems, sustainable business growth, 2026 business planning, business infrastructure, entrepreneur overwhelm, systems for scalingResources Mentioned-January Systems Workshop - Learn how to build the exact systems you need to support your 2026 goals → [Click Here]-Sunday CEO Diaries Newsletter - Weekly burnout-proof strategies for high achievers → coachellyn.com-Skool Community - Join other ambitious entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses: https://www.coachellyn.com/communityAbout the HostEllyn Schinke is a burnout & Notion systems strategist for high achievers with chaotic-genius brains and unapologetic ambition. She helps entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and corporate professionals build burnout-proof businesses through her Sustainable Success Framework: Systems, Self-Care, and Mindset.Connect with Ellyn-Website: coachellyn.com-Instagram: @coachellyn-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ellynschinke-YouTube: @CoachEllynLeave a ReviewIf this episode helped you rethink your 2026 planning, leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more high-achievers discover the show and build burnout-proof businesses!Episode Transcript[Full transcript available at coachellyn.com/podcast]New episodes drop every Tuesday at 5 AM PST. Subscribe so you never miss a strategy that could save you from burnout.Leave a Review

You've tried the morning routines. You've set the boundaries. You've made the plans to eat better, move more, wind down at night. But somehow, by Tuesday, it all falls apart. Here's the real problem: you're treating self-care like something you have to manually remember instead of something that just happens.In this episode, I'm walking you through six systems from my own life that have completely transformed how I take care of myself—without relying on willpower, discipline, or trying to remember one more thing. From smart home automations to daily check-in pages in Notion, recipe trackers to shutdown rituals, you'll learn how to build self-care into your infrastructure so your brain doesn't have to carry the weight anymore.What you'll learn:Why self-care habits fail when they rely on constant mental energyHow to use smart home automation to prompt wind-down and wake-up routinesThe exact Notion pages I use to make my habits visible and automaticCalendar defaults that protect your time boundaries (without the guilt)How to eliminate decision fatigue around food and nutritionThe shutdown ritual checklist that creates a clear end to your workdayThis episode is all about SYSTEMS and SELF-CARE—two of the three pillars of sustainable performance. Because when your self-care is systematized, you don't have to remember it anymore. And that's when it actually sticks.Resources mentioned in this episode:Notion Morning Routine Video Notion Evening Routine VideoMy Girl Monday with HaleyDaily Check-In and Check-Out templates: Available in the Burnout-Proof Business membership or the Solopreneur Life & Business OS templateJoin the community:Subscribe to the Sunday CEO Diaries (weekly email)Join the Skool community

You're drowning in subscriptions. The project management tool you swore would change everything. The automation platform you're "definitely going to set up next month." The design software you used exactly once. Every unused tool is a broken promise to yourself—and it's stealing your mental bandwidth.In this episode, we're doing a ruthless system audit. Not the kind where you reorganize folders and call it a day. The kind where you actually cancel subscriptions, consolidate platforms, and create white space in your brain, your calendar, and your bank account.'You'll learn the 4-step framework to audit your tech stack, the three brutal questions to ask about every tool you're paying for, and how to categorize everything into Keep, Consolidate, Delete, or Trial. Plus, I'm sharing exactly what I'm keeping in my own tech stack as I consolidate down to fewer than 10 core tools.Because strategic restraint is more sustainable than tool hoarding. And your ambition is not the problem—your infrastructure is.Resources mentioned:Join the End of Year CEO Reset Challenge: coachellyn.com/communityEnroll in Burnout-Proof Business: coachellyn.com/bpbSubscribe to Sunday CEO Diaries: coachellyn.com/list

What if the key to building a thriving business isn't doing more—it's giving yourself permission to stop being a high achiever?Former Inc 500 sales and marketing director Lindsey Wagnon was on track for VP when she hit the wall every ambitious person eventually faces: the values conflict between career achievement and the life she actually wanted. In this conversation, Lindsey shares how leaving corporate, launching her agency, and redefining success on her own terms unlocked the freedom and flexibility she craved—without sacrificing her income or impact.What we cover:The values conflict high-achievers face (and why wanting it all isn't the problem)How Lindsay shifted from revenue-driven to lifestyle-driven business planningWhy she pulled back one summer—and came back strongerThe toxic hustle culture that shaped early entrepreneurship (and how to unlearn it)Marketing without burnout: pick three things, build rhythms, automate the restWhy "I need to be on social more" is FOMO, not strategyMatching your marketing channels to how you naturally communicateTrading "should" for "one day"—and why patience is part of the strategyPerfect for high-achieving entrepreneurs who want to build sustainable, values-aligned businesses that actually support their lives.About Lindsay Wagnon:Formerly a sales marketing director of an Inc 500 company, Lindsay Wagnon launched Lindsay Wagnon Marketing in 2019 to serve women-owned small businesses through full-service partnerships and her signature turnkey marketing system setup. The Savvy Startup Marketer podcast and coaching support first-time entrepreneurs with practical, shoestring-budget marketing strategies. Lindsay is also a pastor's wife, mom of two girls, and proud owner of an almost-50-pound Australian Shepherd.Connect with Lindsay:Website: https://lindseywagnon.comInstagram: @lindseywagnonmarketingPodcast: The Savvy Startup Marketer

Not Just Ready to Leave, But Done StayingYou've been ready to make the change for months—maybe years. You've run the numbers, made the plan, and told yourself "someday." But something keeps you stuck. In this episode, I'm sharing the scariest decision she's ever made: leaving her full-time job after 7 years. But more importantly, I'm breaking down the crucial difference between being ready to leave and being done staying—and why understanding that distinction is the key to finally taking action.Whether it's a job that undervalues you, a relationship that's shrinking you, a business model that's burning you out, or a version of yourself you've outgrown, this episode will help you identify where you're "ready to leave" but still staying—and what it takes to finally walk away.In this episode:→ The real fear that keeps high-achievers stuck (it's not what you think)→ How to recognize when you've crossed from "ready" to "done"→ Why the universe meets you when you finally trust yourself→ Reflection questions to identify where you're still stayingBlack Friday 5 Days of Deals are live: If you're done staying stuck and ready to get support with your systems, burnout, or business strategy, click here.

Is your productivity system stressing you out more than it's helping?If you're neurodivergent, burned out, or just exhausted by traditional task management—this episode is for you.In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to design a Notion system that works with your nervous system, not against it. We're talking ADHD-friendly principles, nervous system regulation tools, and the exact structural elements that make productivity feel sustainable instead of suffocating.In This Episode, You'll Learn:- Why traditional productivity systems trigger stress (and what to do instead)- The 5 core principles of nervous system-safe system design: simplification, visual cues, flexibility, overwhelm reduction, and emotional regulation- Structural design elements like centralized dashboards, filtered views, quick capture pages, and templates- Energy-based task management for sustainable productiity- How to audit your current sytem and make on change that actually helps.If your Notion setup makes you anxious, it's not because you're doing it wrong—it's because it wasn't designed for your brain. Let's fix that.🎁 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:- Join my FREE Skool community: https://www.coachellyn.com/community- Get started in Notion for FREE: affiliate.notion.so/coachellyn💬 Connect With Me:Join the FREE Skool Community: coachellyn.com/community — This is where the magic happens! Get free templates, frameworks, and ongoing supportInstagram: @coachellynLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachellynNewsletter: coachellyn.com/list✨ Your Challenge:Audit your current system. Ask yourself: Does this reduce overwhelm or create it? Does it help me focus or distract me? Does it let me exhale or am I holding my breath every time I use it?Then make ONE change. Start small. Build slow. And if you need help figuring out what your brain needs, join us inside the free Skool community where I share templates, frameworks, and personalized support.The goal isn't to track everything or replicate someone else's system. It's to build a system that supports you while you do the work that matters.⭐ Loved this episode?Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more high-achievers find this show and build burnout-proof lives.

Your to-do list is stressing you out—but it's not because you have too much to do. It's because your system is broken.In this episode, I'm breaking down the 3 most common system mistakes that turn a helpful productivity tool into a source of daily anxiety—and exactly how to fix them in Notion.You'll discover:→ Why treating your to-do list like a scorecard is sabotaging your productivity (and what to do instead)→ How to use filtered views in Notion to eliminate decision paralysis and create laser focus→ The secret to writing actionable tasks that you'll actually complete—no more staring at vague project namesIf you've ever felt paralyzed looking at your task list, this episode will transform how you organize your work. Your to-do list isn't the enemy—how you've set it up is.Ready to design a calm, efficient business? Join my free Burnout-Proof Community on Skool where we dive deeper into sustainable productivity systems. Click Here >>Keywords: to-do list overwhelm, Notion productivity, task management for entrepreneurs, productivity system, burnout prevention, solopreneur systems, how to organize tasks, Notion tutorial, overwhelm solutions, time management

Are you drowning in AI subscriptions? Spending more time choosing which tool to use than actually getting work done? You're not alone—and it's not helping your productivity.In this episode, I'm breaking down the hidden cost of AI tool overwhelm: the decision fatigue, the subscription creep, the cognitive load that's quietly dysregulating your nervous system. We'll talk about why having access to every AI tool doesn't make you more productive—it just makes you more paralyzed.Join the Skool Community: Click HereCheck out the Burnout Memberships: Click HereWhat you'll learn:Why AI tool overwhelm is the new productivity trap for high-achieversThe hidden costs of multiple AI subscriptions (beyond just money)How constant tool-switching dysregulates your nervous systemThe paradox of choice: when "options" become overwhelmMy framework for evaluating which AI tools actually serve your businessWhy strategic restraint is a strength, not a weaknessHow I built my minimal AI stack (spoiler: it's just two tools)Key takeaway: More tools don't equal more productivity—they just equal more stress. The best tool is the one you'll actually use consistently.If you're feeling overwhelmed by the explosion of AI platforms, this episode will give you permission to simplify, clarity on what actually matters, and a strategic framework for building a tech stack that supports your nervous system instead of dysregulating it.Keywords: AI tools for entrepreneurs, managing AI subscriptions, AI overwhelm, burnout prevention, business systems, solopreneur productivity, nervous system regulation, sustainable business practices, decision fatigue, cognitive load, productivity tools, tech stack simplificationReady to simplify your systems and protect your capacity? Join the Burnout-Proof Business™ Community where we build sustainable systems that actually work. Links above!

Amanda Nowak built a seven-figure interior design business—and still found herself absolutely miserable. In this raw, real conversation, Amanda (burnout coach and Reiki master) sits down with Ellyn to unpack the "million dollar wake-up call" that changed everything: success metrics don't equal fulfillment, and burnout doesn't care how passionate you are about your work.If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still burning out, this episode is your permission slip to redefine success on your own terms.What You'll Learn:👉🏻Why hitting revenue milestones won't automatically fix burnout (and what will)👉🏻The dangerous myth that "passion prevents burnout" (spoiler: it doesn't)👉🏻How to spot the difference between building the business you should have vs. the one you actually want👉🏻Small, sustainable self-care changes that actually work (no week-long spa retreats required)👉🏻Why high achievers are most at risk for severe burnout—and how to break the cycle👉🏻The "self-care snack" concept: bite-sized practices for busy entrepreneurs👉🏻How to set boundaries with yourself (not just with clients)Key Takeaways:📊 Vanity metrics don't equal success: Million-dollar revenue, big teams, and office space sound impressive—but do they align with your values of peace and freedom?🔥 Burnout is a "you" problem: High achievers burn out because we're perfectionists who say yes to everything. Lazy people don't get burnt out—they say no.🧘 Start small, stay sustainable: One glass of water in the morning. Ten minutes of meditation at lunch. Micro-changes create lasting transformation.🚫 Stop "just-ing" yourself: "Just hire someone" or "just do this" minimizes the 20 steps involved in any business decision. Give yourself grace.💡 Self-care isn't always spa days: Watching a YouTube video during your break instead of checking email? That's self-care. Slow mornings? Self-care.About Amanda Nowak:Amanda is a burnout coach specializing in helping high-achieving women entrepreneurs who look successful on the outside but feel miserable on the inside. After exiting her seven-figure interior design business in 2023, she launched Elements 8 Coaching, combining traditional coaching with Reiki and energy work to address burnout at multiple levels.Resources Mentioned:👉🏻The Gap and the Gain (book) - Click HereAmanda's "What Do I Really Want?" workbook (free download) - Click HereEntrepreneurs Retreat at Home kit - Click HereConnect with Amanda:Instagram: @element.eight.coachingWebsite: element-8.comKeywords: burnout recovery, entrepreneur burnout, high achiever burnout, work-life balance, business boundaries, self-care for entrepreneurs, seven-figure burnout, burnout coach, sustainable success, redefining success

Ruthless self-awareness isn't about beating yourself up—it's about getting brutally honest with yourself so you can actually do something about burnout before it takes you down. In this episode, we're breaking down the foundation of burnout prevention: the ability to see yourself clearly—your patterns, your triggers, your limits—without sugarcoating or denial.If you're a high achiever who's constantly pushing through, ignoring warning signs, and wondering why you're always exhausted, this episode is for you. You'll learn the seven key areas where ruthless self-awareness shows up, the practices that build it, and why awareness alone isn't enough—you need action.In This Episode, You'll Discover:— What ruthless self-awareness actually means (and why high achievers need it most)— The 7 key areas of self-awareness that prevent burnout: values clarity, capacity awareness, energy audits, emotional honesty, pattern recognition, identity vs. output, and shame vs. guilt— Practical self-awareness practices: meditation, journaling, spending time alone, and the 3-step weekly review framework— Why self-awareness without action keeps you stuck in burnout— Common self-awareness traps that high achievers fall into (and how to avoid them)— Action steps you can implement this week to start building ruthless self-awarenessKey Takeaways:— You can't change what you won't acknowledge—ruthless self-awareness is the first step to burnout-proofing your life— High achievers are experts at pushing through, which means they often ignore burnout warning signs until it's too late— Self-awareness isn't about self-criticism—it's about getting honest with yourself so you can course-correct— The 3-step weekly review framework: What's working? What's not working? What's stressing me out?— Awareness alone isn't enough—you need systems, self-care, and mindset shifts to make it stickWho This Episode Is For:— High-achieving entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, and leaders experiencing burnout or chronic stress— Anyone who feels stuck in survival mode and ready to shift into thriving mode— Ambitious professionals who want to prevent burnout before it destroys their health, relationships, or career— Leaders who are tired of being the bottleneck and want to reclaim their time and energyResources Mentioned:— The High Achiever Burnout Cycle (6 stages) - Check out the old podcast— Old Podcast "How to Find your Worth Outside of Your Work" - Click Here >>— Values Mini-Course - Click Here— Burnout-Proof Business - Click Here— Work Well HQ Membership - Click HereConnect With Ellyn:— Instagram: @coachellyn— Website: coachellyn.comKeywords: burnout prevention, self-awareness, high achievers, prevent burnout, burnout recovery, self-awareness practices, burnout symptoms, high-performing professionals, how to prevent burnout, building self-awareness, ruthless self-awareness, burnout-proof, corporate burnout, entrepreneur burnout, sustainable successClosing: If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to the Burnout-Proof Podcast and leave a review—it helps other high achievers find the support they need. And remember: ruthless self-awareness isn't about being hard on yourself—it's about being honest with yourself. Because you deserve a life where you're not just surviving—you're thriving.Stay relentless, achiever!

You’ve got tools. You’ve got automations. You’ve got dashboards.But are your systems helping you — or burning you out?In this episode of The Burnout-Proof Podcast, burnout coach + systems strategist Ellyn Schinke shares five powerful questions every entrepreneur and solopreneur should ask before consolidating, automating, or switching platforms.Learn how to:– Simplify your business systems without breaking your backend– Save money by cutting tool bloat– Build ease and automation into your daily operations– Choose systems that scale your growth instead of your stressBurnout-proof systems aren’t built by accident — they’re built with intention.🔗 Join The Solopreneur Systems Summit (Click Here) this week and grab your All-Access Pass for the C-Suite AI Agent Documentation — Ellyn’s exact framework for training AI to help you work less and earn more.Keywords / Tags: burnout, burnout-proof systems, solopreneur burnout, systems for entrepreneurs, simplify your tech, automation tips, business productivity, entrepreneur stress, sustainable success

Let's be real—Notion can feel like a digital playground one minute and a hot mess the next. You're spending hours setting up databases, only to end up with a system that leaves you more stressed than when you started. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.Here's the deal: Notion isn't the problem. It's how we're using it. And after working with hundreds of high-achieving solopreneurs, I've spotted three major mistakes that are keeping your Notion setup from actually working for you instead of against you.Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by your current setup or wondering why your productivity is still stuck in the mud despite that shiny new template, this episode breaks down the most common Notion pitfalls and gives you actionable fixes to transform your workspace from digital chaos to burnout-proof brilliance.So grab your coffee (or wine, no judgment here), and let's turn your Notion frustrations into systems that actually support your ambition—without burning you out in the process.Episode Highlights:🚨 Why complexity is killing your productivity and the counterintuitive power of simplification [6:25]🛠️ How to properly customize templates instead of drowning in someone else's system [12:18]💡 The truth about what Notion can (and absolutely cannot) fix in your business [21:57]⚡ Actionable frameworks to transform your relationship with Notion and build systems that don't suck [27:44]RESOURCES MENTIONED:🔗 Solopreneur System Summit: http://www.coachellyn.com/summit - Register for free!🔗 All-Access Pass to the Systems Summit - Click here🔗 Check out Burnout-Proof Business - Click HereConnect With Ellyn:🔗 Instagram: @CoachEllyn🔗 Website: coachellen.comIf this episode helped you rethink your relationship with Notion, please take a moment to rate, review, and follow the show! Your support helps other ambitious high-achievers find their way to burnout-proof productivity.#NotionTips #ProductivityTips #SolopreneurSystems #BurnoutProofBusiness #NotionForBusiness #DigitalOrganization #ProductivityHacks #SystemsAndProcesses

Join Ellyn and 20+ experts at the Solopreneur System Summit in just under two weeks! Register for your free ticket at ⁠coachellyn.com/summit⁠.In this episode, Ellyn explores how small, intentional systems can create massive shifts in your productivity and prevent burnout. She breaks down three powerful micro-systems that are easy to implement but deliver outsized results.Key Points:The One Spot Rule: Create a single trusted system for capturing all informationThe Two Minute Rule: Handle small tasks immediately to prevent them from accumulatingThe Intentional Systems Filter: A framework to evaluate which systems are worth buildingEpisode Highlights:🧠 Learn why having multiple capture systems creates unnecessary cognitive load⏱️ Discover how the two-minute rule keeps both your digital and physical spaces organized🔍 Understand the four questions of the Intentional Systems Filter:What specific problem does the system solve?Will I actually use it consistently?What would make me ignore or abandon this system?What's my simple success signal that tells me the system is working?Resources Mentioned:System School - https://www.coachellyn.com/systemsBurnout-Proof Business - https://www.coachellyn.com/bpbConnect With Ellyn:Instagram: @coachellynWebsite: coachellyn.comFree Training: coachellyn.com/summit - Solar Primer System SummitJoin Ellyn and 20+ experts at the Solopreneur System Summit in just under two weeks! Register for your free ticket at coachellyn.com/summit.Pick ONE of these tiny systems to implement for the next seven days, then tag Ellyn on Instagram @coachellyn to share your experience. For personalized help building these systems, visit coachellyn.com/services.