the bossbabe podcast 480: High-Functioning Burnout Exposed: When Sleep isn't Really the Solution
Sep 9, 2025
Emily Gallagher and Alexi Panos, both from Awaken the Muse, dive into the challenges of high-functioning burnout, especially among successful women. They reveal why typical wellness routines often fail, emphasizing the importance of listening to the body's subtle signals. The conversation highlights how neglecting emotional needs can lead to energy depletion. They provide actionable tools for building self-trust and reconnecting with oneself, advocating for a gentler approach to achieving true vitality and sustainable energy.
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Exhaustion Beyond Sleep
- Bone-deep exhaustion often isn't solved by sleep or routines alone.
- It reflects a body in prolonged survival mode that distrusts rest.
Doing All The Things And Collapsing
- Natalie describes doing every health hack yet feeling completely empty.
- She contrasts that with a current pregnancy-season vitality that feels rooted, not cortisol-driven.
Burnout At The TED Talk Run
- Emily recounts a burnout during TED talk rehearsals where she couldn't get out of bed.
- She realized her life was always 'once I get through this' and that pattern broke her drive.