Tess Brouwer | How to Reset, Rebuild & Rise Stronger After a Major Setback

What happens when the very qualities that built your success almost break you?In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, Di Gillett sits down with Tess Brouwer, former Virgin Australia executive, now Chief Energy Officer and Co-Founder of Awake Academy to explore what it truly takes to reset, rebuild, and rise stronger after life changes in an instant.At 32, Tess was a high-performing corporate leader living in Switzerland when a skiing accident left her with a spinal cord injury, Guillain-Barré diagnosis, multiple surgeries and months in rehabilitation. Her identity had been built on performance, drive and achievement. Suddenly, none of that worked.This is a raw and honest conversation about identity grief, burnout, nervous system overload, emotional resilience and rebuilding self-worth from the ground up.If you have ever ignored the warning signs…If you have ever tied your worth to your work…If you have ever asked, “If I can’t perform, who am I?”This episode is for you. You’ll hear:The life-changing accident that forced Tess to confront her identityWhy high performers ignore red flags - until they can’tThe difference between grit and true resilienceHow mental fitness differs from “pushing through”Why burnout is often a wake-up call, not a weaknessPractical daily resets to regulate your nervous systemThe simple question every ambitious woman must ask herself: Am I enjoying my life? New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations.🎧 Watch and subscribe to: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts.✔ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1✔ Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8✔ Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590✔ Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/ Who is Tess Brouwer?Tess Brouwer is one of Australia’s leading mental and emotional fitness trainers, a Positive Psychology Practitioner, best-selling author, and Co-Founder of Awake Academy alongside seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley AO. Formerly Head of Brand Partnerships at Virgin Australia, Tess rebuilt her life after a life-altering spinal and brain injury. Today she helps leaders and organisations develop emotional endurance, resilience, and sustainable high performance. Find Tess at:Website http://awakeacademy.com.au/ Seven Day Self-Care Program https://awakeacademy.com/self-careLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-brouwer-7128aa54/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tesscbrouwer/?hl=en Connect with Di & engage with Power Of Women: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ 💫 If this conversation lit a spark please share the episode and help spread the stories that prove women are never to be underestimated.Your ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify keeps these stories alive. Credits:Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen – https://vinilo.com.au/Executive Producer: George Donikian: https://www.donikianmedia.com.au/ Disclaimer: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/💫Subscribe to the Power Of Women Podcast and leave a review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🤝 Interested in collaborating or a sponsorship partnership with Power Of Women Podcast. I’d love to hear from you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.