Burn Brightly with Hannah Austin

In this episode of Burn Brightly, host Hannah Austin engages in a profound conversation with wellness advocates Miriam and Jaqueline.

Together, they unravel the complex ties between physical health and mental wellness, explore how critical illnesses can shake mental stability, and stress the crucial step of recognizing and tackling burnout.

The conversation pivots to the power of seeking support, the role of empathy in healing, and leveraging data to reform healthcare and corporate systems. 

The guests highlight the personal nature of burnout, advocating for self-honor and finding joy in work. They call for s...

In this heartfelt episode of the Burn Brightly podcast, we’re joined by Kathy, who shares her transformative journey from a place of loneliness and strength to one of healing and self-discovery.

Kathy reflects on her past TEDx talk experience, comparing her feelings of hollowness then to her current sense of groundedness and self-assurance. She offers insights into the difference between being strong and being healthy, and how self-care is about knowing and advocating for oneself.

For those feeling a sense of emptiness, Kathy provides gentle advice to start looking at themselves with the same gr...

In today's episode, Hannah shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to a balanced and fulfilling life. The discussion unfolds through pivotal moments, such as recognizing the need for change, creating a plan, and experiencing the positive ripple effect of prioritizing self-care.

Hannah's candid reflections offer a relatable and empowering guide for those navigating their own burnout experiences.

In a world flooded with influencers and a barrage of 'best practices,' it's easy to lose our individuality in the pursuit of someone else's version of success. We've all been there, caught up in the race for that elusive corporate ladder or the perfect facade. But guess what? Life isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about tapping into your authenticity and embracing what works for YOU.

Reflecting on societal pressures and personal aspirations, today Hannah shares her own journey of redefining success and embracing what truly aligns with her passions. From the corporate climb to realizing she craved creativity...

In this episode, Hannah interviews YouTube Coach and Strategist Trena Little, on The Power of Prioritizing Yourself. Trena landed a “good” job with a government agency right out of college, but after 7 years of feeling like her soul was being ripped out every time she arrived in the parking lot, it was time for a change! 

Hannah and Trena dive into the magic of changing everything about your life in a moment, building something new, and the challenges and rewards that come with it. 

Listen in to discover more about leveraging your time to avoid burnou...

In today's episode, Hannah shares insights on moving forward from burnout without regret. The discussion begins by recognizing burnout beyond the conventional signs, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing burnout as the first step toward positive change.

Hannah dives into the challenges of setting realistic expectations, particularly for women in society juggling multiple roles. The conversation unfolds with a focus on crafting a forward-focused plan, offering a personal mission statement as a guide for envisioning a fulfilling life.

Listen today to discover the power of embracing change and moving forward from burnout.

In this episode, Christina Scalera shares her journey from landing her dream job as an in-house trademark attorney right out of law school to realizing that it felt more like a nightmare. Despite building a successful seven-figure business, Christina experienced burnout and decided to sell her company. The conversation explores the seasons of burnout and how a pivot became the catalyst for reigniting her passion. Christina is now focused on coaching and consulting through her website, helping business owners build seven-figure-plus businesses using tech talk and social media, and assisting those considering selling their businesses.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing my five tips for avoiding burnout. 

When you're facing burnout, it can be really hard to even sit down and think about how to turn things around, but it is possible! Tune into the episode to find out more. 

You can also download my free guide, 5 Tips to Prevent Burnout here.

We live in a fast paced society, and we are constantly trying to keep up and reach for “success”. But we may be settling unrealistic expectations, or we're being unrealistic with our timelines. In this episode, Hannah dives into what burnout looks like versus what finding the balance looks like. Learn all about Hannah’s creation, The Burn Brightly Model that includes 6 steps to slowing the burn and finding balance.

There is no quick fix to break free from burnout but you can absolutely get started today. You can transition from burnout to brilliance. If you’re unsure a...

In this episode, Anna Huff joins me to share her journey of learning to say “yes” to big changes in her career in order to fulfill her dream and make more time and freedom in her life. Anna is a mindset and marketing coach for online service providers. Anna empowers women to kick self-doubt to the curb and tap into their limitless potential. Like many others, Anna began her career after college thinking that was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life until burnout set in. She knew it was time to make a change. 

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As women, we’re all too familiar with gender bias and inequality in the corporate world, with ‘finance’ and ‘tech’ being notorious boys’ clubs. Then imagine the impossible challenge of being a queer woman of color, breaking into venture capitalism.

It’s not enough to get a seat at the table; we need a ticket to the line for a chance to be at the door and maybe in the room – let alone a seat at the table.

But could fearlessness and authenticity be the key to more women taking the lead in finance, tech and the entreprene...

For more tips and tricks purchase my best-selling book, 'Hello, Head, Meet Heart' on Amazon now:

https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Head-Meet-Heart-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B0BRT9YYJH

The expectations placed on women to be perfect in all areas of life, including work and motherhood, are leading to a culture of burnout. But why do we put so much pressure on ourselves, and how can we prevent, understand, and recover from burnout?

As women, we internalize burnout; it’s not just a lack of something; we feel like a failure in every aspect of life. We te...

These days, both men and women have a great deal more freedom when it comes to defining – and redefining – our career paths. 

The problem with having more freedom is that it tends to cause decision paralysis, particularly in those of us who aren’t sure exactly what we want or how to get there. 

Add to that the fact that our skills don’t always align with our interests, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for confusion. 

The good news is, since the pandemic tipped the scale, job applicants have been in high demand, gi...

Often, burnout comes in two waves: 

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with the cognitive dissonance that often comes with leaving a once-loved situation or environment that has become toxic, you’ll know that this combination can be complicated and difficult to escape. 

It gets even harder when we compare what we’re experiencing to what we assume others are going through, an...

In theory, maintaining a romantic relationship and a sex life is simple – and for some, it can be just as simple in practice, but it’s also very common to go through different phases. 

No matter how strong your sexual connection with your partner is, burnout can kill your sex drive and dampen the sense of intimacy in your relationship. 

Unsurprisingly, when it comes to dealing with physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, sex often goes out the window altogether – and although that’s a normal response, you don’t want it to become the norm for you. 

In the SheShatters community, we know the power of a good metaphor – and fire is a particularly powerful one. 

Cliches like “burning the candle at both ends” and “keeping the flame alive”, overused as they may be, have never been more important and relevant than they are today as burnout continues to spread. 

That’s why we were so pleased when our latest guest, Dana LaVoie, raised a fiery metaphor of her own in a conversation about energy reserves and burnout in menopause. 

As the Founder of Menopause Made Easy, licensed in accupuncture and herbal treat...

Women are resilient creatures, but we’re not bulletproof. 

In fact, certain experiences – like a cancer diagnosis, for example – can leave you completely shattered, and unsure of how to put yourself back together. 

Any serious illness raises uncomfortable questions about how you’ll carry on, and beyond that, how you’ll manage to leave a legacy that carries on after you’re gone. 

There’s a lot to think about post-diagnosis, but there’s also a lot to do in order to keep things on the straight and narrow. We’re talking: 

We’re all on our own paths in life, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, those paths can seem to twist and turn of their own volition. 

From uncontrollable factors like your birthplace, your family and your early years to the little decisions we make every day, there are an infinite number of different ways to go in life – and yet, still, many women find themselves boxed into one of a few well-trodden paths. 

Look closer still, and you’ll find that many of those paths can be traced all the way back to the same pract...

Many of us learn at an early age that sex is a dirty word – a subject that belongs in the space behind closed doors – and some would say it’s precisely this attitude that has created our warped relationship with pornography and sex in general. 

With its distinct absence of consent, candid conversations and good sexual values, it’s little wonder that the divide between porn makes such a minefield of sex education, and yet, it’s still a major source of information for young people. 

In a world characterised by endless scrutiny and comparisons between bodies...

There’s no doubt that the pandemic has been a uniquely challenging time on a global scale – similar, in many ways, to a mountainous hike with no visible end point. 

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges has been learning to climb together and follow the same guiding star, despite our different views and preferences. 

For medical professionals, there has also been the challenge of acceptance – knowing that in some circumstances, things may not go to plan, no matter how meticulously the plan is created. 

As with any long climb, this is a journey of balanc...

Of all the things that have changed dramatically in the past few years, our shared understanding of “employee wellness” and what it really means is up there as one of the most important.  

Once used to refer to the occasional approved sick day, employee wellness now represents a serious investment for many corporations – and for good reason. 

Across the globe, burnout has become a full-blown epidemic, changing the world and our collective thinking so rapidly that many are still playing catch up.

Of course, although the physical signs may be similar and far-reaching – from exhaust...

There’s no denying that being a woman can be seriously tough. We have to manage everything from hormonal fluctuations to societal disadvantages and pay discrepancies, all while contending with ongoing comparisons to other women who seem to have it all. 

Amidst all of that, it’s pretty easy to forget that men also have issues worthy of examining, but it’s true. They do – and by taking part in the examination, we can find the answers to a wide range of questions we might never have thought to ask. 

Start with the classics and you’ll unear...

They say the truth will set you free, but the path to freedom isn’t always easy; in fact, it can be quite the opposite. 

That’s why, when you come up against truths that refuse to be swallowed, creating your own truth is often the best way forward. 

Whether that truth comes from biblical quotes, life experiences, or a well-worn personal mantra, a particularly powerful string of words can often make even the most difficult situations manageable – that, and a strong foundation of challenges faced and positive outcomes achieved. 

If you have challenges...

For all of the division in the world right now, there’s one thing that brings us all together: 

We all love that feeling of achieving – whether your big win is getting a gold medal in an Olympic swim meet or just getting out of bed on a tough day. 

The thing is, like any good thing, too much of that winning feeling can be problematic and even damaging for your sense of wellbeing. 

This is especially true if, like so many high achievers, you feel the pull to do more, be more and achi...

Right now, there are more masks in the world than ever before. 

52 billion disposable masks were produced in 2020 alone. That’s one billion masks for every week of the year. 

While they were a crucial part of the effort to protect our health, these masks have had one common and unwanted side effect: 

A sense of isolation – both physically and emotionally. 

We have spent the past two years learning how to stay connected in a world that has enforced space – and if you have struggled with that, you’re not alone. 

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt as though you had to plan your way through life in order to be successful…

Most of us have been there – myself included – and there are plenty of signs. 

We buy fancy planners to write our meetings in, we use calendar apps on our phones and we schedule important meetings with colleagues and clients weeks in advance – but sometimes, life just doesn’t work that way. 

Sometimes, life demands that we improvise our own solutions. 

COVID-19 has been a perfect example of improvisation in action. It sen...

They say change is the only constant – and in the past few years, that saying has turned into a way of life. 

During COVID, many of us have had to change the way we work, live and interact with others. 

In an era driven by setting goals, achieving milestones and pushing boundaries, COVID pushed back – and when our (busy) routines were disrupted, two things happened: 

In many ways, growing up is about becoming self-sufficient, and nothing forces you to grow up faster than making major life changes at a young age. 

Whether you move out of home, make a major decision about your education, or bring a new life into the world, these events often mark the precipice of adulthood - and for some, the beginning of a battle with burnout. 

Of course, there are always some things we can do to make things easier on ourselves.  

Getting regular exercise and meditation, sourcing plenty of inspiration from female role...

They say that when it rains, it pours - and for cancer patients in oncology clinics across the country, that truth has a sharp point. 

As COVID-19 has ravaged hospitals and medical staff, these are the people who have experienced some of the worst effects of the pandemic - and often in isolation, without the physical proximity and support of friends and family. 

Undeniably, the medical professionals on hand in these clinics have been the heroic presence we all need, but the question demands to be asked…

What happens when the people looking afte...

If you were being chased by a bear, how would you feel? 

Terrified, exhausted, and pretty damn stressed, right? 

Now, because it has been a hot minute since most people have had to fight off nature’s predators for survival, that scenario might be difficult to imagine - but the reality is, those same stress hormones are still flowing through many of us on a daily basis. 

The ability to stretch our stress response can be a beautiful thing, allowing us to experience the fullest expression of life, but it only stretches so far…<...

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about dreams is that they are not linear. 

No matter how passionate you are about your life right now, there’s always the chance that something that feels even bigger and more exciting will emerge from that part of your soul that can’t always be heard. 

The thing is, achieving those dreams depends on your ability to keep moving forward when life gets difficult, and there are plenty of things that threaten to get in your way. 

Whether you’re facing up against a lack of resources, a limitin...

By the time we’re young adults, starting out in a new industry, we’re already hearing about how difficult – or impossible – it is to “have it all”. 

The thing is, with such vast differences in cultural ideals, it’s impossible to create a universal definition of what “having it all” really means – whether it’s getting married at 18 or nailing seven interviews for a lounge assistant job. 

One thing that stays consistent across cultures, though, is our hunger for shared experience and guidance from people who have walked the paths we want to walk. 

There are obstacles...

There’s no denying that the pandemic has hit hard, but the toll isn’t limited to the thousands of deaths, sick people, and emergency room chaos - it’s also about what’s going on in our heads. 

After months of isolation, confusion, and fear, the negative thoughts and feelings we all experience have become a plague of their own, leading us to experience extreme stress, full-blown burnout, and even death. 

Two plagues at once? Yep - it’s a lot, and while no one has felt the strain more keenly than our healthcare workers, adu...

Have you ever heard a sentence come out of your mouth and thought, “I sound exactly like my mother”? 

It happens to all of us eventually - and is it any wonder, given all of the research behind the Social Proximity Effect? 

You can’t underestimate the impact that your top five - the five people you spend the most time with - have on your life and the person you become. 

For Linda Weston, founder of consulting practice Rapporto, those five people include her parents, her daughter, and her closest friends, and she credi...

When I was young, I wanted to be “someone”, as I think many of us do – and when you think about it, there is no better time to want such things. 

In childhood and adolescence, we have big dreams, hopes, and plans, and all the energy we need to bring them to life.

Then, as we get older, we come face to face with situations that awaken a sense of overwhelming pressure; pressure to be – and have – it all. 

Since the beginning of COVID-19, perhaps no one has felt that pressure more acutely than medical...

If you’re a woman suffering from burnout, you probably have the same complaints as the millions of others just like you - not enough time, not enough energy, and too little space to focus on the things that light you up. 

The thing is, overcoming burnout is not complicated. The first step to doing just that and reclaiming your time and your agency in the process is exactly what you think it is: 

Making time and space for yourself and for the things that matter to you, and reserving some of that precious energy for...