It may have looked good from the outside but as I climbed the corporate ladder my mental and physical health nose-dived. I navigated challenges more specific to women such as pregnancy loss, gender pay gaps, auto-immune disease, pregnancy related discrimination, micro-aggressions at work, exclusion, bias about being a mother of four and a capable leader. Unexplained menopause symptoms like brain fog, insomnia, vertigo, anxiety and hot flushes were the last straw. All of which worsened with the stress of pushing on.  

The corporate world glorified hustle and so did I.  

Burnout was my great leveler. It reoriented me back towards integrity with my personal values of growth, vitality, connection and impact. You shouldn’t need to burnout before a new way emerges. A more sustainable way where you can do great work and have energy to enjoy your life.  Research shows people expect wellbeing and fulfillment at work. Yet only 37% or people feel their organisation understands work-life needs.

Work is making people sick.  

The University of Melbourne's 2023 State of the Future of Work report confirms our experience. One in two Australians are exhausted, 40% are less motivated and 33% are having difficulty concerntrating (and I bet they are not dealing with menopausal brain fog!). “Work, as it currently stands, is making many Australians unwell, with many working harder and reporting greater exhaustion than pre-pandemic..." (Ruppanner et al, 2023) 

It’s worse for women and underrepresented populations.  

There are many layers of specific and unseen health, caring and workplace challenges women face in the workplace. Menopause is just one of them. Menopause is intersectional due to the complex ways in which various social identities and factors intersect to shape their experiences during this life transition. It’s a shared biological process but the way it is perceived, experienced, and managed differs significantly.  

There is no diversity, equity and inclusion without well-being. Research shows women in more inclusive workplaces have better mental health. 

“The part can never be well unless the whole is well” Plato.  

I became a Chief Energy Officer (CEO). 

The struggle pushed me forward and, in the end, it was a gift. Without menopause and the ensuring burnout, the Chief Energy Officer within me would not have emerged. The one who is psychologically resilient and passionate about performing at peak minus burnout. Digging into my background in science and physical edification, I became obsessed with managing personal energy. I realised energy is our most precious asset. We need to spend it wisely and top it up daily so we can ride the wild roller coaster ride of careers and lives.  

Manage energy not time.

Like menopause, burnout is not a one-and-done. Life keeps throwing challenges in my court and my CEO tool kit gives me the resilience I need to endure on the career and midlife rollercoaster.  I set up a coaching practice because I knew I could help other people reduce burnout risk factors, perform at work and grow their resilience. I taught groups of people how to take ownership for their personal energy and become their own Chief Energy Officer.  

Performance, health and happiness are grounded in the skillful management of energy.” Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

Burnout taught me:   

1. Mind-Body Synergy. I discovered energy management was essential for peak performance. Regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and as much sleep as I could get boosting focus, creativity, and resilience. 

2. Strategic Slacking. Contrary to the hustle culture, I learned rest is best, it doesn’t' come naturally yet often unlocks my best ideas. Short breaks, vacation time, and weekends free from work allowed me to recharge and renew my energy.  

3. Mental Clarity (the fog parted!). My nutrition is a work in progress but has improved significantly. Eating more often helped me maintain steady energy levels. Combined with a sustained break from alcohol I felt mentally sharper.  

4. Boundary Setting. Reviewing and establishing boundaries was key to my wellbeing. I first had to look at how I treated myself first (hello internalised stigma). I put myself in time out when I was tired. I asked for flexibility and breaks when I needed them. I practiced saying no or not right now.  

5. Investment in Growth. I realised coaches need coaches too. I took things into my own hands and build a holistic support team of medical, lifestyle and business experts. I knew I could help others grow.  

Burnout is not all bad.  This could be heading somewhere good.   

There is a better way. Learn from my burnout. Challenges are growthful. Psychosocial resilience is how we keep rolling. It can be learned. Despite all our chat about wellbeing over the past few years, the societal pressure to hustle runs deep. People want a human approach to development so they can grow personally not just professionally. The opportunity is a workforce that performs, develops and expects positive wellbeing. A workforce that's healthy, engaged, and fulfilled who are equipped to drive sustainable commercial outcomes.  

Who doesn't want that?

If you or your team would benefit from a holistic and human approach to performing at peak minus burnout, I'd love to chat. Create a culture of Chief Energy Officers where thriving is measured not only in terms of accomplishments but also in the health and happiness of individuals and teams.