From Burnout to Badass: How I'm Putting My 20 Year Old Self to Shame in my 40s

"I'll bet you can eat whatever you want"

"That's easy for you to say - look at the great shape that you're in, it must be so easy for you!"

These are just a couple of the comments that I hear regularly at social events.

The thing is, it's easy to look at someone who is fit and think about how much easier their lives must be. They must have more time, better genetics, be younger, etc.

It's easy to think that someone else just has more luck or advantages on their side to achieve their health goals, but you don't know their story...

So here's mine...

As a business coach dedicated to empowering my fellow female entrepreneurs, I've always believed in leading by example. But behind the scenes, my journey hasn't always been smooth sailing. Today, I want to share my personal story of burnout and recovery—a journey that reshaped my approach to success and well-being.

In 2017, at the peak of my entrepreneurial career, I hit a roadblock that I never saw coming. Despite my drive, energy, and passion for business, I found myself burning out. Long hours, relentless stress, and neglecting my own health finally caught up with me. At just 39 years old, I was diagnosed with shingles—a wake-up call that I couldn't ignore.

Shingles was just the tip of the iceberg. The illness pushed my body over the edge into a state of adrenal fatigue—a condition that demanded significant lifestyle changes. Low on energy, battling brain fog, and falling into depression, I found myself at an all-time low. Suddenly, I was forced to confront the harsh reality: I couldn't pour from an empty cup. My health had to become a priority, even if it meant redefining my approach to success.

Recovery wasn't easy. It required patience, resilience, and a willingness to adapt. I faced setbacks, struggled with self-image, and grappled with the limitations of my body. But I refused to let adversity define me. Instead, I embraced a holistic approach to well-being, focusing on physical fitness, nutrition, and stress management.

My first focus was on overcoming the adrenal fatigue. I worked closely with my naturopath to "reboot" my internal systems. It took many long months, significant dietary adjustments, and a lot of patience, but little by little, day by day, my body began to recover.

With my energy levels restored, I was given the all-clear to resume my workouts (oh yeah, did I mention that when I was diagnosed with the adrenal fatigue I was advised that any sort of significant activity would set back my progress and was expressly forbidden?).

So with renewed energy, I couldn't wait to get back into the swing of things. But of course, I'm now in my early 40's, and I'm 20 lbs heavier than I was before I got sick.

One of the biggest challenges was revamping my fitness routine. As a passionate runner, I had to accept that pounding the pavement wasn't always the best option.

Unfortunately, as women enter their 40s, hormonal changes, particularly fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels, can impact their metabolism and muscle mass. This shift often leads to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat.

Strength training is crucial for maintaining lean muscle mass and supporting metabolism and has been shown to positively influence hormone levels, including insulin sensitivity and cortisol regulation. By reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone), strength training can help mitigate the negative effects of chronic stress, promote hormonal balance, and support overall well-being.

So I incorporated strength training and boxing into my regimen—activities that supported my body and boosted my overall health. And I reminded myself daily that it wasn't about perfection; it was about progress.

Next stop on my recovery journey, I needed to address my nutrition. I needed to boost my protein intake and, as a vegetarian, that meant getting creative. I added protein-packed seeds like pumpkin and hemp to most meals, found numerous creative ways to cook tofu (a food that fortunately I've always enjoyed) and made protein shakes a daily habit.

The initial battle to lose weight was daunting, but with discipline, determination and perseverance, I started to see the results of my efforts. I lost pounds and inches, and not only did I lose the excess 20 lbs I had gained, but I surpassed that goal, shedding and extra 10 excess pounds and reclaiming my vitality. But truthfully, it wasn't about losing the weight. While the weight and the inches provided me with an easily trackable metric, the true goal was to rebuild both my physical and mental health to be stronger and more resilient than ever.

Through the adversity of the journey, I gained invaluable insights that continue to shape my approach to business and life. I learned the importance of self-care, the power of resilience, and the value of listening to my body. Today, I'm proud to say that I'm in the best shape of my life—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

My journey from burnout to balance wasn't easy, but it was worth it. As a business coach, I bring my battle-tested strategies to my clients and I'm committed to helping other female entrepreneurs avoid the pitfalls of burnout and build sustainable, fulfilling businesses. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of success, one empowered step at a time.

If there's one thing my journey has taught me, it's that resilience is our greatest asset. No matter how daunting the challenges may seem, there's always a path forward. By prioritizing our health, embracing change, and staying true to our passions, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our wildest dreams. Let's journey towards success together, with purpose, resilience, and unwavering determination.

Want to take control of your business and life and find the balance that you deserve? As a special thanks for checking this out, I’d like to offer you a FREE Business Planning Session - we’ll discuss your biggest challenges and even lay out a personalized roadmap to help you to manage the stress and overwhelm of building your empire - click here to get on my calendar.