Way Out #4: She Had Tenure, a Marriage, and a Child: It Was Slowly Killing Her with Dr. Risa Stein

Most of us are taught that strength means pushing through, never complaining, and achieving at all costs. But what happens when that definition of "success" nearly kills you?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Risa Stein, a clinical psychologist turned tech founder, who spent 25 years in academia checking every box—PhD, tenure, marriage, house—until a near-death health crisis forced her to stop.We discuss how she went from “suffocating” in a tenure-track career to launching a digital health startup, SeeInMe, in her 50s. If you feel successful on paper but stuck in real life, this conversation is the permission slip you’ve been waiting for.👇 IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER:➡️ The danger of the "high-achiever" coping strategy➡️ The medical emergency that changed her life instantly➡️ How to pivot when you are terrified of losing your identity➡️ The exact email subject line she used to ask for help (“Help. I’m suffocating.”)➡️ Why she traded the safety of academia for the chaos of startup life➡️ How to build a life that feels as good as it looks🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:SeeInMe: https://seeinme.com/The Best Damn Life Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Damn-Life-Workbook-Personally/dp/0985677937Connect with Dr. Risa Stein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-stein123/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 09:53 - The making of a high achiever 16:36 - The near-death wake-up call 29:38 - Overcoming the fear of leaving academia 35:14 - Redefining success & happiness 40:05 - The "Help, I'm suffocating" email#CareerChange #Burnout #Psychology #Entrepreneurship #101WaysOut #RisaStein #MentalHealth #MidlifePivot--------101 Ways Out explores how thoughtful, capable people step away from inherited definitions of success and begin designing lives rooted in freedom, meaning, and joy.Through intimate conversations with founders, creatives, coaches, executives, and explorers, host Vanessa Jupe uncovers the moments that changed everything: burnout, clarity, fear, courage, and the decision to choose a different path.These are not overnight success stories. They are real conversations about identity, autonomy, money, fear, creativity, and what it actually takes to build a life that lights you up.🎧 New episodes weekly🌱 Part of the 101 Ways Out transformation platform🔗 Learn more: https://101WaysOut.com📷 Instagram: https://instagram.com/101waysout💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/101waysout/