48. Reframing Burnout: Understanding the Highly Sensitive Experience with Amanda Baker

If you've spent your life being told you're “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or “too much,” this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. In this episode of Healthy Buzz, Brandee sits down with Amanda Baker of Collaborative Sage to explore the intersection of high sensitivity, ADHD, perfectionism, and burnout. Amanda shares her personal journey from corporate overachiever to complete nervous system collapse — including panic attacks, chronic illness, emergency room visits, and the deep unlearning required to recover. Together, they unpack what it actually means to be a highly sensitive person, how rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) fuels people-pleasing and perfectionism, and why so many women feel trapped in a cycle of proving themselves. Amanda also opens up about the realities of healing a dysregulated nervous system, learning to honor rest without guilt, and building a life that supports who you actually are instead of who you think you’re supposed to be. This conversation is for the woman who’s exhausted from constantly pushing harder, carrying everyone else’s emotions, and feeling like she’s one step away from falling apart — even while appearing completely “fine” on the outside.In This Episode: What burnout actually looks like for highly sensitive and neurodivergent women How ADHD and high sensitivity can amplify nervous system dysregulation The hidden role of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) in perfectionism and overachieving Why rest is a biological need — not laziness How Amanda rebuilt her life and work around her nervous system instead of fighting against it Connect with Amanda:Website: https://www.collaborativesage.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborativesageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakeraBook a free 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/amanda-collaborativesage/free-consultationDo you want to optimize blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health?Join Brandee’s Blood Sugar Savvy course. Use code BUZZ to save $30 at https://beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy Connect with me:Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signupFollow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com