Episode highlights: career transformation, burnout, self-care, personal growth, vulnerability, joy, rest, self-trust, leadership, work-life balance, burnout, self-compassion, communication, vulnerability, self-validation, personal growth, mental health, emotional labor, mindset, productivity

Summary:

In this episode, Cheryl Lewis opens up about her journey of navigating burnout, learning to rest, and figuring out how to put her well-being ahead of work—without the guilt. Together, Cheryl and Minh-Thu Lam dive into what burnout really feels like (beyond the stereotypes), why hustle culture can be so toxic, and how self-trust and vulnerability can completely shift the way you lead and live.

They talk about the mindset traps that keep high performers stuck, the importance of celebrating your own wins, and why communication—especially honest, vulnerable communication—is key to thriving at work and at home. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that true fulfillment isn’t about doing more—it’s about finding joy in the small moments, embracing growth, and creating a life that actually feels good.

Takeaways:

Finding joy in small moments is essential for mental health.
True rest requires stillness and peace, not just a vacation.
Many people struggle to prioritize personal time over work.
Vulnerability is key to personal growth and change.
Self-trust is crucial for making empowered decisions.
Guilt often accompanies personal choices that prioritize self-care.
High performers often take on too much responsibility, leading to burnout.
Leaders must understand their own stress to support their teams.
Romanticizing hustle culture can lead to unhealthy work habits. Burnout can be a catalyst for personal growth.
Self-compassion is essential in overcoming negative mindsets.
Effective communication requires vulnerability and honesty.
Changing your perspective can lead to greater self-acceptance.
Acknowledging achievements is crucial for mental well-being.
Burnout is often misrepresented in society as a weakness.
Emotional labor is a significant but often overlooked aspect of work.
It's important to challenge societal norms around productivity.
Self-validation is more important than external validation.
Embracing change can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Change and Personal Growth
02:48 The Importance of Rest and True Relaxation
05:54 Navigating Guilt and Self-Prioritization
08:55 The Role of Vulnerability in Transformation
11:43 Recognizing Moments of Change
14:57 The Journey of Self-Trust and Decision Making
25:24 Survival Mode and Decision Making
29:05 The Cost of Being a High Performer
30:43 Understanding Your Nervous System
32:28 Romanticizing Hustle Culture
36:45 Balancing Relationships and Business
37:56 The Challenge of Downtime
40:55 Shifting Mindsets for Self-Care
46:29 Breaking the Canned Response Cycle
50:35 Understanding Burnout: Misconceptions and Realities
51:38 The Misinformation Culture Surrounding Burnout
53:01 The Journey Back to Self: Addressing Burnout
54:27 The Importance of Acknowledging Burnout
56:10 Burnout in Corporate Culture: A Leadership Perspective
58:25 The Emotional Labor Behind Burnout
01:01:06 Navigating Change: Personal Growth Through Burnout
01:06:55 Finding Value in Vulnerability and Self-Reflection
01:10:25 The Gift of Burnout: Embracing Self-Love and Pride

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Links mentioned in this episode:

To Learn more about the Higher Alignment Program or to book your complimentary connection call go to http://higheralignmentconsulting.com/program/

 The REAL Reason You’re Burnt Out (video)- https://higheralignmentconsulting.com/the-real-reason-youre-burnt-out/

Click Here to take the Quiz- Is my Burnout Fixable?  https://higheralignmentconsulting.scoreapp.com

Follow Minh-Thu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minh-thulam/

 Follow Minh-Thu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minhthu_lam/