EP 125: Doing More Isn’t the Answer — Rethinking Leadership, Burnout & Capacity with Rachel Edmondson Clark

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Rachel Edmondson Clark to explore how identity, lived experience, and internal patterns shape how we lead—especially under pressure. Rachel shares a deeply personal journey, from growing up observing human behavior in her mother’s salon to quickly rising through corporate leadership roles—and eventually experiencing burnout that forced her to pause and rethink how she was showing up in her work and life. Through this conversation, we explore how intersectionality shows up not only in visible identities but also in internal drivers like high standards, people-pleasing, and the pressure to perform. A central theme in this episode is the distinction between capability and capacity. Many leaders focus on building skills and doing more—but often overlook the importance of restoring energy, recognizing internal signals, and creating the conditions for sustainable leadership. Rachel offers a powerful reframe: "Sustainable leadership isn’t just about what you can do. It’s about how well you can continue to show up." 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode How early life experiences shape emotional awareness and leadership The connection between high performance, people-pleasing, and burnout What happens when leaders ignore their internal signals The difference between capability (skills) and capacity (energy + resilience) Why pushing through works—until it doesn’t The role of nervous system awareness in leadership How small daily practices impact long-term performance What leaders can do to create cultures where people feel energized and supported How the way people feel at work directly impacts performance and culture 👤 About the Guest Rachel Edmondson Clark is a UK-based executive coach, facilitator, and founder of Elevar, a leadership development consultancy focused on sustainable high performance that serves people, performance, and the planet. With over two decades of experience, her work sits at the intersection of energy, identity, and behavior—helping leaders understand how their nervous system, lived experience, and internal narratives shape their leadership. 🎙️ About the Podcast Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through conversations and reflections, Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive—but truly thrive. Each episode invites leaders to reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations. ⭐ If This Episode Resonated • Share with a colleague or leader • Leave a review to help others discover the show • Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.