I Burnt Out At The Top Of My Career, And Had To Rebuild My Life

What happens when you climb to the top of your career… but lose yourself along the way?

In this powerful conversation, Matt shares how he accidentally fell into HR, rose through global roles at UBS, and then faced the devastating reality of burnout that cost him his health, career, and identity.We uncover:How recruitment turned into a global HR careerThe hidden drivers behind burnout and why so many ignore the signsWhy HR professionals are at the highest risk of emotional exhaustionThe three “buckets of burnout” and how to protect yourself from themPractical tools to set boundaries and recover before it’s too lateThis is not just an HR story, it’s a human story. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, detached, or on the edge of burnout, this episode might just change the way you approach your work and your life.Chapters00:00 – Falling into HR by accident01:00 – Recruitment, sales pressure & global moves02:40 – UBS opportunity & career breakthrough04:30 – Burnout disguised as success06:20 – The toxic drive of “not good enough”08:00 – What burnout really feels like09:45 – Therapy, coaching & rebuilding identity11:30 – Discovering the power of coaching13:10 – Why HR faces higher burnout risks15:20 – The breaking point moment16:40 – Catching stress before it becomes burnout18:20 – Signs of exhaustion & irritability20:00 – Detachment, cynicism & losing purpose23:20 – The tension at the heart of HR25:10 – The three buckets of burnout explained28:40 – Purpose, values & dangerous overcommitment32:00 – Overwhelm vs. burnout – the difference34:10 – Weekly check-ins to stay vigilant35:40 – Boundaries, respect & saying no37:20 – Peak performance through rest39:20 – Advice to my younger self: “Look at the evidence”