(BONUS) The mindset shift that saved Holly Wainwright from burning out, again

9 snips

Oct 22, 2025

In this engaging discussion, bestselling author and podcast co-host Holly Wainwright opens up about her ongoing struggle with burnout. She shares her journey of recognizing the 'do-crash-repeat' cycle and how choosing 'nup' as her word of the year helps her set boundaries. Holly reveals practical changes she's made, like restructuring her week to protect creative time and the innovative 'Yes-But' strategy for guilt-free decision making. With insights on treating energy as a luxury, this conversation inspires a transformative approach to well-being and creativity.

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ANECDOTE

Recurring Burnout Cycle

Holly admits she repeatedly promises not to burn out and still ends up exhausted almost every year.
She recently caught influenza A after a busy book tour and is now rebuilding her energy slowly.

INSIGHT

Time Control Helps But Doesn’t Solve Energy

Shifting from meetings and corporate roles to content work helped Holly reclaim chunks of her time.
Yet she still struggles to portion energy and hasn't solved sustainable pacing for creative work.

ADVICE

Block Your Week By Focus Type

Holly portions her week: intensive studio days early, family time later to protect presence at home.
She accepts temporary guilt for being away because the trade-off improves focus and family life.

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Every year, Holly Wainwright promises herself she won’t burn out again - and every year, she does.

When she told me that, I laughed - not because it’s funny, but because I’ve been there too. Last year, I hit my own wall of exhaustion so hard it became the inspiration for my next book.

In this bonus episode, I sit down with Holly Wainwright - bestselling author and co-host of Mamamia Out Loud - for an honest conversation about burnout, energy, and why breaking the “do-crash-repeat” cycle is harder than it sounds.

We talk about the promises we make to ourselves, the boundaries we fail to keep, and how to start protecting the parts of life that matter most - our health, focus, and family.

Holly and I discuss:

The patterns that keep Holly stuck in the burnout cycle

Why she chose “nup” as her word of the year - and how that’s going

The privilege and guilt tied up in saying no

How she’s restructuring her week to protect creative focus and family time

The surprising rewards that keep her motivated (including worm farms)

The “Yes-But” strategy that sets boundaries without guilt

My “Never Again” list and how it helps me avoid burnout triggers

Why rebuilding energy is a constant recalibration, not a one-time fix

Taylor Swift’s reminder to treat your energy like a luxury item

Key Quotes

“Almost every year I say I’m not going to get myself to that place again - and then I do.”

“Rebuilding your energy isn’t a one-off fix. It’s a constant recalibration.”

Connect with Holly on Instagram and LinkedIn, listen to Mamamia Out Loud and Mid, and check out her latest book He Would Never here.

Listen to Part 1 of this interview here.

My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/

Connect with me on the socials:
Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)

If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple-to-apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au

Credits:
Host: Amantha Imber
Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler

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