EP.136 - Kam Bassier - "You're Not Lazy, You're Burnt Out"

In this episode of Middle Fingers Up, host Kiran Randhawa sits down with Kam Bassier—fitness and life coach, father, husband, and self-proclaimed student of life—to unpack the emotional and physical toll of burnout and the radical power of rest.Kam’s story begins in Guyana, shaped by intergenerational trauma, hustle culture, and the immigrant grind. But what makes this conversation unforgettable is Kam’s vulnerability and wisdom as he reflects on his journey from survival mode to intentional living.“We’ve been plopped on Earth with no manual,” Kam says. “So I’m just trying to figure out the best way to go about this thing.”Together, Kiran and Kam explore how our childhood scripts—especially those rooted in immigrant households—shape our adult lives. From the glorification of hustle to the shame around rest, Kam challenges listeners to rethink what it means to be productive.“No one is going to tell you to slow down,” Kam warns. “You have to choose it. You have to disrupt the pattern.”This episode is a masterclass in nervous system regulation, inner child work, and redefining self-worth. Kam shares tangible tools for getting unstuck, including the power of sleep, body scans, and intentional boundaries.“Healing isn’t nice—it’s necessary,” Kam reminds us. “And rest isn’t laziness. It’s survival.”Whether you’re a burnt-out parent, a high-achieving professional, or someone simply trying to feel better in your body, this conversation will leave you full—like a nourishing meal that doesn’t need dessert.What You’ll Learn:Why rest is harder than hustle—and how to change thatHow immigrant narratives shape our relationship with workThe link between nervous system regulation and emotional resiliencePractical ways to disrupt your daily patterns and reclaim your energyWhy healing requires conscious engagement, not just reflectionGuest Info: Follow Kam Bassier on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @kambassier. Kam helps burnt-out adults build sustainable routines that support their physical, emotional, and relational health.Support the showIf you like what you hear please click on "subscribe" or "follow" -  It's free and you will get notified when the newest episodes are posted!  Check us out on Instagram, X, and YouTube @mfupodcast. Give feedback, middle finger recommendations as well as random thoughts to [email protected]. Thank you for listening!In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.