I used to wear my Type A badge like a medal of honour.
Always pushing, always achieving, always striving for that next big thing. A high-performance athlete turned corporate professional; I thrived in environments that demanded intensity. I took on challenges like they were my job (because, well, they were), and I didn’t just climb mountains – I sprinted up them.
On the outside, it looked like I had it all together. Inside? I was running on fumes.
And then gradually, <cue slow motion explosion> BOOM.
Burnout didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow unraveling—years of pushing through, ignoring the signs, convincing myself that exhaustion was just the price of success. Until my body, my mind, and my soul gave me no choice but to stop.
For so long, I lived by the mantra of “Faster, Higher, Stronger” – pushing, striving, achieving. It served me well as an Olympian, where performance was everything (well, until it didn’t). But now, I see a different path, one that values “Slower, Deeper, Wiser.” This shift isn’t about giving up ambition or drive; it’s about redefining success. It’s about presence over pace, depth over achievement, wisdom over sheer willpower.
There was a time when my Type-A-self had the wheel, steering me through competition, goals, and relentless pursuit. But now, I’m taking the wheel with a new map in hand—one that prioritises meaning, balance, and a richer experience of life.
I wrote a letter to my Type-A-self recently. A thank-you note, really. Because despite how much she burned me out, she also built me. She got me through some of the biggest challenges of my life. But here’s the thing – I don’t need her running the show anymore.
Burnout Wears Many Masks (and a Blazer with Padded Shoulders)
If you’re a high achiever, burnout doesn’t always look like crashing and burning in some dramatic fashion. It’s not necessarily tears in the office bathroom or quitting your job in a blaze of glory. Sometimes, it’s quieter than that.
☑️ It’s the feeling that no matter how much you achieve, it’s never quite enough.
☑️ It’s the Sunday night dread, even in a job you once loved.
☑️ It’s the constant low-grade exhaustion, the brain fog, the sense of always needing a holiday – but never actually feeling rested when you take one.
☑️ It’s snapping at your loved ones over nothing because your nervous system is fried.
☑️ It’s the subtle but creeping sense that the life you built no longer quite fits, like shoes a half size too small.
Burnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about never switching off. It’s about believing that slowing down is failure. That if you’re not constantly productive, you’re falling behind.
Sound familiar?
My Letter to My Type A Self
When I wrote to my Type A self, I didn’t break up with her. I thanked her.
She was the one who made me strong, disciplined, resilient. She helped me achieve things most people only dream of. She got me through high-pressure boardrooms, sleepless newborn nights, and personal crises that would’ve knocked me flat if I didn’t have that inner drive.
But as I hit midlife, I realised she wasn’t what I needed anymore. That fire-and-brimstone approach to life? It was draining me.
So, I told her she wasn’t fired – just reassigned.
She’s now my trusted advisor, not my relentless driver. I call on her when I need focus, strategy, or a burst of energy. But she doesn’t get to run the show 24/7 anymore.
Instead, I’m leaning into a new way of living. One that prioritises sustainable success over burnout-driven hustle. One where rest isn’t a reward – it’s a requirement.
The Lies High Achievers Tell Themselves
If you’re anything like me, you might be telling yourself a few of these:
🚩 “This is just a busy season. Things will calm down soon.” (Spoiler: They won’t.)
🚩 “If I can just get through this project/quarter/year, I’ll slow down.” (But then you don’t.)
🚩 “Once I achieve [insert goal], then I’ll feel successful.” (Only for the goalposts to move.)
🚩 “Resting makes me lazy.” (Actually, burnout makes you ineffective.)
🚩 “I don’t have time to slow down.” (Until you’re forced to.)
I believed every single one of these at some point. Until I didn’t.
How I Stepped Off the Hamster Wheel (and How You Can Too)
Getting out of the burnout cycle wasn’t about quitting ambition. It was about redefining success in a way that included my health, my happiness, and my long-term wellbeing.
Here’s what actually helped:
🔥 Learning to Pause—Without Guilt
I had to teach myself that rest isn’t earned – it’s essential. Taking a break didn’t mean I was weak. It meant I was playing the long game.
🔥 Setting (Actual) Boundaries
Not just the “Oh, I don’t check emails after 6 PM” kind (only to check them anyway). Real boundaries. With work. With people. With myself.
🔥 Getting Comfortable with ‘Good Enough’
Perfectionism is an energy vampire. I started asking myself: What’s the minimum effective dose of effort here? Turns out, 80% is often more than enough.
🔥 Redefining Productivity
Not everything needs to be optimised. Not every moment needs to be “productive.” Some things can just be enjoyed.
🔥 Listening to My Body Instead of Ignoring It
For years, I ignored the signs – low energy, sleep issues, stress-related inflammation. Now? I actually listen. Strength training, hormone health, recovery – it all matters.
🔥 Finding Purpose That Feeds Me, Not Depletes Me
I pivoted into work that lights me up. That energises me instead of draining me. Work that lets me use my high-achieving brain without sacrificing my sanity.
Helping Other High Achievers Break Free
If any of this hits home – if you’re feeling the slow creep of burnout, the itch for something different – I see you.
I work with ambitious, high-achieving professionals who are ready to step off the hamster wheel and into a life that actually feels good. I help Type A, perfectionist, overachievers find a new way forward – one that doesn’t involve running themselves into the ground.
Because here’s the truth: Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your wellbeing.
And if you’re ready to stop choosing hustle over health—I’d love to help you find a way forward.
Book a free discovery call with me – let’s get this thing rolling…
