241: I was overfunctioning in every role: a somatic trauma therapist on burnout & your nervous system

For years I believed burnout meant I was doing something wrong — not resilient enough, not organised enough, not disciplined enough. By 2018 I’d already survived a violent relationship, the suicide of an ex-partner, losing my hair to an autoimmune condition, a cPTSD diagnosis, and working myself into the ground running a nonprofit in Colombia.From the outside, I looked capable and committed.Inside, I was collapsing for days after every big effort.I kept changing roles — yoga therapist, somatic trauma practitioner, relationship coach, Ayurvedic wellness coach — thinking, “Maybe the next job will finally feel better.”But under all of it was the same pattern: a nervous system stuck in overfunctioning, constantly scanning for threat and trying to earn rest.In this episode, I talk about:What overfunctioning actually feels like in the bodyHow ISO 45003 describes the point where performance and emotional regulation start to frayThe turning point in late 2022, when I realised I couldn’t hack or hustle my way into safetyWhat changed when I began rebuilding from the inside out — my sleep, energy, creativity, and relationship with workThis isn’t just about me. It’s about how every time one person learns to work with their nervous system, it ripples into their team, workplace, and family.If you’re exhausted, over-responsible, or quietly wondering why you “should be coping better,” I made this episode for you. 💛What if you're not the problem? Full report. Access the full report here: https://sheridanruth.com/what-if-youre-not-the-problem/ Energy Management Pilot This 5-week program helps thoughtful, sensitive, or neurodivergent professionals understand how their brain and body actually work — so they can rebuild focus, energy, and calm at work without pushing through.If you love your work but end the day drained, forgetful, or tense — this is for you.It’s not therapy or time-management hacks. It’s practical, body-informed psychology that helps you redesign the way you work so your system supports you instead of fighting you.You’ll learn to: ✨ Read your energy in real time and prevent create-and-crash cycles ✨ Recover faster after stress ✨ Set boundaries that hold ✨ Redesign your workflow to fit your brain ✨ End the day steady, not spentHow it works:Short 30-min lesson on MondayGuided body practice on Wednesday5-min reflection on ThursdayOptional live call on Friday → About 1.5–2.5 hours per week, at your own pace.Join the pilot: Click here to apply or express interest. Your Next Step“I’m ready for something else... but I don’t know what that is.”If that’s you — start with a 90-minute Somatic Clarity Intensive. We’ll find your next step, the one your body can actually follow through on.Or if you’re tired of circling between “almost-ready” and “total doubt,” the 6-month journey helps you rebuild energy, boundaries, and clarity — so you stop second-guessing and start leading from your center.🤍 Explore coaching hereBurnout Is Weird PDF: 7 real stories of people who stopped trying to “fix themselves” and found steadiness in unexpected ways. click here Let Me Know You're Listening Connection is my love language! Let me know you exist and are listening along by sending me a ✨ on Instagram @_sheridanruth_ or LinkedIn Read Somatic Intelligence for Success Nervous system alignment to prevent burnout and leave an impact. Purchase here. Regulation Your Nervous System At Work Learn to regulate with practices you'll actually use. No need for more time, space or privacy. Download here. Try the Burnout Prevention AI ChatBot Soma helps you shift out of spirals, self-doubt, and stress-based decision-making—so you can lead from your most grounded, self-aware state. Access here. This podcast explores the intersection of sales, money, and business success, offering entrepreneurial insights on overcoming the inner critic, burnout, and the unique challenges of ADHD and autoimmune conditions, while integrating polyvagal theory, Ayurveda, coaching, resilience, regulation, and trauma healing to support holistic growth and thriving in both life and business.