In this must-listen episode, we welcome Cathleen O'Sullivan, a leadership mentor, former high-level corporate leader, and host of the Legendary Leaders Podcast.

After years of 16-hour days and relentless pressure, Cathleen hit what she calls "the corporate wall"—a burnout so severe she had to leave her role.

She shares her deeply personal journey from high-functioning burnout—the stage where you still deliver and are seen as high-potential while cracking inside—to finding her boldness.

Cathleen opens up about the physical, mental, and emotional toll the burnout took, including neglecting herself, experiencing deep fatigue, developing unhealthy habits, and the constant feeling of "not doing enough."

💡 Learn how Cathleen:

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  Realized she was in burnout only after literally "cracking open" in a conversation with her manager.

  
  


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  Learned to stop seeking affirmation and acknowledgment from others.

  
  


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  Found her turning point by redefining success and letting go of control.

  
  


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  Discovered the power of choice and how to use her feminine energy to create positive impact.

  
  


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  Shares practical advice for high-achieving women on setting boundaries, tackling the mental load and "guilt cycle," and pursuing excellence without exhaustion.

  
  

This episode is your permission slip to pause, redefine, and embark on your own brand new, bolder journey.

🔗 Connect with Cathleen O'Sullivan:

Website: https://cathleenosullivan.com/

Instagram: legendary_leaders_cathleenos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-osullivan/

🎙️ Connect with Her Resources Podcast:

Website: https://herresourcespodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herresourcespodcast/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/her-resources-podcast/

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00:00 | Introduction and Host Welcome

00:04:08 | Hitting the Corporate Wall: Recognizing High-Functioning Burnout

00:12:11 | Physical & Emotional Signals of Burnout

00:15:31 | The Hardest Part: Letting Go of Control and Admitting Weakness

00:17:31 | The Bali Turning Point: Rebuilding and Reconnecting to Self

00:24:36 | Lightning Round: Redefining Power and the Power of Choice

00:26:56 | Balancing Energies: Masculine vs. Feminine in Leadership

00:33:50 | The Mental Load and Organizational Responsibility for Women's Well-being

00:42:07 | How to Set Boundaries and Break the Guilt Cycle

00:48:57 | Do Less, Achieve More: The Power of Intentionality

00:52:18 | Burnout to Boldness: The Full Transformation

00:56:00 | Redefining Ambition: Alignment Over Exhaustion

01:03:06 | Lightning Round: Bold Moves, Boundaries, and Mantras