13. Burnout Isn’t Just Stress: How Unprocessed Trauma Shows Up at Work for Women of Color

Why do you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or on edge… even when you’re doing everything “right” in your career?For many high-achieving women of color, burnout isn’t just about workload. It’s deeper than that. It can be unprocessed trauma stored in the body.You’re showing up, performing, hitting your goals—but your body is carrying stress, tension, and pressure that no amount of productivity hacks can fix.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas is joined by Shena Moreau, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trauma therapist, and founder of Valorous Wellness, to talk about how trauma shows up in the workplace—and how to start healing in a way that actually supports your life and career.If you’ve ever felt like you can’t turn your mind off, your body is always tense, or success still feels heavy, this conversation will resonate—and we end with a special guided sound bath and meditation from Shena you can come back to anytime.Jessica and Shena break down how both big T and little T trauma impact women of color at work, why burnout can be a nervous system issue (not just time management), and how to start reconnecting with your body so success doesn’t come at the expense of your health.Chapters: 00:00 Burnout beyond workload 02:43 From burnout to self-awareness 06:18 Unlearning limiting beliefs 09:59 Cultural pressure and overworking 13:32 How trauma shows up in the body 17:04 Big T vs. little T trauma 19:42 The mind-body connection 24:48 Reconnecting with your body 28:11 Nervous system regulation 34:57 Integrating healing into daily life 38:41 Owning your worth and leadership 41:22 Guided sound bath + breathwork meditationAbout Shena Moreau Shena Moreau is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trauma therapist, and founder of Valorous Wellness. She helps women reconnect with their mind and body through evidence-based and holistic practices so they can heal, regulate their nervous system, and step into the life they’re meant to live.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglifewithshe/Book a consultation: valorouswellness.comWork With JessicaIf this episode made you realize your burnout might be deeper than your workload, this is the work I do with my clients.I help ambitious women of color build careers that don’t come at the expense of their health. We look at how you’re operating at work, where stress and pressure are driving your decisions, and how to create boundaries, leadership strategies, and career moves that actually support your life.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow on Instagram: @jessicalynnrojas: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnwellness/Subscribe & Review If this resonated, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. A quick 5-star rating and review helps more women of color find this podcast and feel seen in their experience.