Burnout Recovery & Creating a Culture of Rest with Nicole Havelka

Send us a MessageIn this episode of The Empowered & Embodied Show, Kim Romain and Louise Neil sit down with burnout recovery coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and ordained pastor Nicole Havelka to explore why slowing down feels so radical in a culture obsessed with doing.Together, we dive into:How burnout shows up differently for each of us, and why it’s not just an individual problem but a collective oneThe pressure to constantly prove our worth through productivity and “being the best”Why the word can’t disempowers us, and how to reclaim choice in our lives and workThe surprising overlaps between burnout, perimenopause, and values misalignmentPractical ways to create compassionate workplaces, embrace rest, and focus on impact instead of outputIf you’ve ever felt buried under the weight of doing it all, this conversation will remind you that rest is not only possible, it’s essential, powerful, and deeply radical.Key Moments0:00 – Welcomes and introductions03:57 – Doing vs. planning: the trap of over-strategy08:25 – Replacing “proving” energy with body awareness11:12 – Duality of busyness and rest13:56 – Redefining “being the best”22:05 – Pebbles, rocks, and ripple effects23:28 – Burnout is a collective issue, not individual26:51 – The exhaustion of being a change agent32:25 – Awareness as the first step to choice34:30 – Reclaiming choice instead of saying “can’t”37:48 – Bodies, yoga, and honoring differences39:45 – Rethinking work culture and flexibility41:46 – Final reflections and takeawaysConnect with Nicole HavelkaNicole started her business, Defy the Trend, in 2018 to support change agents and values-aligned organizations while they embrace a more rested life and create compassionate workplaces through mindful time management, transformative coaching and restorative yoga and meditation. When she’s not working, she is nurturing herself by doing experimental cooking, watching/reading apocalyptic literature and television, traveling to new places and spending time outdoors. Learn more about her at defythetrend.com or subscribe to her Substack, Just Rest. https://defythetrend.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-havelka-35762022/https://www.facebook.com/NicoleHavelkaConsultinghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkq_yGnNi_JFnTIIzJytNAhttps://www.pinterest.com/defythetrendJoin a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com