🎙️ Episode 34: A Session on High Performance Careers - with Steph McTighe

In this episode, Dr Laura sits down with her long-time friend Steph McTighe, a specialist in dispute resolution, litigation, and arbitration, to explore what it really takes to thrive — and survive — in a high-performance career.

Steph shares her journey from studying politics to qualifying in English law, and the pressures, expectations, and cultural norms that shape life in the legal profession. Together, Laura and Steph unpack how class, culture, and background influence our sense of belonging and self-worth at work — and what happens when those unspoken pressures lead to burnout.

After stepping away from law in 2015, Steph rebuilt her confidence, found her way back to the profession, and learned to balance ambition with wellbeing. Their conversation shines a light on the quiet cost of high standards, the importance of setting boundaries, and why self-advocacy matters in every career.

If you’ve ever wondered how your upbringing, identity, or inner expectations shape your professional life — this episode will hold a mirror up to your experience.

In this episode:

 • The hidden pressures of high-performance careers

 • How class and culture shape our work psychology

 • Burnout, recovery, and finding your way back

 • The power of boundaries and self-advocacy

 • Why we need to stop equating worth with productivity

💡 Mentioned:

 • Law firm CMS

 • Coach Jennifer Needle

 • Dr Laura’s reflections on resilience and psychology at work

Book Recommendations

Strong Female Character - Fern Brady https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Female-Character-Sunday-Bestseller/dp/1914240472/

Women Everywhere - Gillian Anderson & Jennifer Nader https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-uplifting-manual-seeking-happiness/dp/0008241937/

Podcast Recommendations

How to Fail - Elizabeth Day https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-fail-with-elizabeth-day/id1407451189

🩵 Holding you in mind,

Dr Laura

#careerpsychology #highperformance #burnout #class #resilience #selfawareness