The Burnout Detox Kit™

Sophie talks with organisational psychologist and executive coach Rebecca Noskeau about her personal journey through burnout. They explore the “athlete’s recovery” approach, maintaining momentum through micro habits even when life knocks you down and discuss how reclaiming agency helps transform burnout into growth. Rebecca also explains why supportive systems and thoughtful leadership are crucial for preventing burnout and how taking one small step each day can change everything.Guest: Rebecca Noskeau is an organisational psychologist and executive coach who helps individuals and teams navigate high demand, complexity, and critical inflection points. In this conversation, she shares her experience with burnout, the power of micro habits, and how leadership and supportive systems can build resilience.Hosted by Sophie Theen, leadership coach, culture expert, and founder of the Burnout Detox Kit®, this podcast explores burnout, workplace culture, emotional recovery, and the hidden cost of high performance.If this episode moved something in you, follow, rate or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

What if burnout isn’t just caused by stress or overwork…but by disconnection from your own personal power?In this deeply thought-provoking episode, Sophie sits down with Rúna Bouius spiritual leadership mentor and founder of the True Power Institute, to unpack the difference between positional power and personal power, and why so many high achievers burn out despite outward success.Together, they explore how modern society teaches people to achieve, perform, and climb but rarely teaches emotional awareness, nervous system regulation, authenticity, or connection to self.This episode is powerful, reflective, and deeply relevant for leaders, founders, and ambitious people navigating modern work and identity.Because burnout isn’t always about doing too much.Sometimes it’s about becoming someone you no longer recognize.🎙️ Guest: Rúna Bouius, Spiritual Leadership Mentor & Founder of True Power Institute📍 Hosted by Sophie TheenIf this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

After 20 years in senior HR leadership including working at Nike, Theresa has seen burnout from every angle.But here’s the surprising part: she’s never fully burned out herself.In this episode, Sophie and Theresa unpack why. Together, they explore the hidden patterns behind burnout, the danger of living in constant performance mode, and why so many high achievers confuse productivity with self-worth.They also dive into Theresa’s “four energy zones” framework performance, recovery, survival, and burnout and how most people stay stuck in the wrong state for far too long.This conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply important for anyone who feels exhausted from constantly “holding it together.”Because burnout isn’t always failure.Sometimes it’s feedback.🎙️ Guest: Theresa - HR Leader & Performance Coach📍 Hosted by Sophie TheenIf this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

And we're back for Season 3!In this episode of The Burnout Detox Kit Podcast, Sophie sits down with Annabelle for an honest conversation about emotional exhaustion, identity, pressure, and what burnout really looks like behind the scenes.This episode explores the invisible weight high performers carry the pressure to keep going, to appear strong, and to hold everything together even when internally things are falling apart.Together, they unpack:The emotional side of burnout people rarely talk aboutWhy high performers often ignore the warning signsThe cost of constantly being “the reliable one”Identity, self-worth, and overachievementLearning to slow down before your body forces you toThis is a raw and reflective conversation for anyone who feels tired in ways sleep cannot fix.Guest: Annabelle CameronIf this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

She followed the path that was supposed to work.Stable career. High responsibility. Keep going, no matter what.Until her body couldn’t anymore.In this episode, Tracy shares her burnout story from working in the healthcare system where the pressure to perform quietly outweighs the need to rest. We talk about the identity behind being “the strong one,” why high performers ignore the signs, and what it really takes to walk away before it breaks you.This is a conversation about choosing your health before it’s forced on you.Because success should never cost you yourself.Guest: Tracy, Former pharmacist turned health coach helping entrepreneurs grow without sacrificing their wellbeingFollow: www.tracythehealthcoach.com

Guest: Rose Soffel, Exec CoachFollow: https://soffelhaus.substack.com/You can’t explain it. On paper, everything looks fine.But deep down… something feels off.In this episode, Rose shares her journey through misalignment, burnout, and the quiet inner knowing we often ignore.We talk about intuition, self-trust, and the moment you realise the life you built no longer fits who you are.If this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

Guest: Libby Rapin, Coach & Workplace Wellbeing AdvocateFollow: Libby Rapin @_libbyrapinYou kept going. You pushed through. You told yourself it’s just a phase.But burnout doesn’t disappear it waits.In this episode, Libby shares her journey out of high-pressure corporate life, and what it really takes to slow down, reconnect, and rebuild from exhaustion.We talk about mindfulness, boundaries, and the quiet moment when you realise… you can’t keep living like this.If this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

You think you’re coping. You’re still showing up. Still performing.But underneath it all… something’s not right.In this episode, Kate breaks down the subtle, often invisible signs of burnout the kind high performers ignore the longest.We talk about emotional suppression, silent overwhelm, and why burnout doesn’t always look like breaking down… sometimes it looks like carrying on.If this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show. One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.Follow Kate @ https://strengthdive.com @katebuschpsychology

What if having an impactful life didn’t mean sacrificing your health to achieve it?In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca Best a former global executive, single mum of four, and the author of Flourish. Bianca shares how she went from overachieving and emotionally exhausted to building a life of intentional, graceful productivity.We explore:The myth of “having it all”Emotional burnout masked as successThe 8 strategies behind her Flourish frameworkHow to prevent burnout in corporate culturesWhy real change starts with energy, not timeBianca didn’t wait for burnout to take her out she learned how to pause, recalibrate, and lead from a place of personal alignment. This is the episode you didn’t know you needed.🎙️ Guest: Bianca Best - Author, Burnout Prevention Consultant & Founder of Flourish Global📍 Follow Bianca: biancabest.com

What happens when burnout doesn't just steal your joy but nearly your life? In this episode, I speak with Kelly Swingler, burnout expert, author, and founder of the Burnout Academy. Kelly shares the raw truth of burning out twice once into chronic illness, and another time into a near-death experience.We talk about the emotional labor of leadership, how identity loss and systemic toxicity contribute to burnout, and why the World Health Organization's definition doesn’t even scratch the surface. Kelly opens up about grief, purpose, and the dangerous illusion of "resilience" in a culture that rewards overwork and self-abandonment.This is not just a story of survival it’s a powerful call to redefine what burnout really is, and how we move forward after it breaks us open.📍 Follow Kelly: @kellyswingleruk | kellyswingler.com

When flexibility isn’t given but earned at the cost of your wellbeing. In this episode, I speak with Dr Elizabeth Blakelock, Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Monzo, about the hidden emotional toll of inclusion work, and how systems often fail to support us during life’s biggest transitions.Elizabeth shares her personal story of burning out three times as a carer, a new mother, and a leader during crisis. We talk about what happens when identity shifts aren’t met with structural care, why flexibility must be the default and not the exception, and how leaders can show up differently in the moments that matter most.This is a conversation about invisible labor, emotional honesty, and rebuilding trust in the workplace especially for women who keep giving until they can’t anymore.📍 Follow Elizabeth: LinkedIn

We’ve all been there on the receiving end of change that was done to us, not with us. In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Ann-Marie Blake, change communicator, DEI advocate, and co-founder of True, a boutique agency helping organizations design truly people-first change.Together, we unpack what it really takes to create a sustainable workplace beyond the yoga mats and fruit bowls. Ann-Marie brings decades of experience from inside large corporations and now on the outside, holding up the mirror to systems that leave people unheard, burnt out, and expected to perform without safety.We talk about:– Why leaders misunderstand the emotional toll of change– The real meaning of psychological safety (hint: it’s not wellness perks)– What listening beyond surveys looks like– How ignoring culture and values post-M&A leads to disaster– A shocking example of mental health negligence in the workplace🎙️ Guest: Ann-Marie Blake — Communications Strategist & Co-Founder of True📍 Follow Ann-Marie: www.trueltd.co.uk | @annmarieblake

Why do the hardest workers burn out first and get rewarded for it?In this powerful episode, Caroline Dowd-Higgins, executive coach and workplace wellbeing advocate, joins Sophie to unpack the silent epidemic of burnout masked as high performance. From 5:30am meetings to 90-hour workweeks, Caroline shares the personal cost of being the “workhorse” and how she reclaimed her voice, her time, and her health.Together, they explore:Why burnout isn’t a self-care issue: it’s a workplace design failureThe danger of tying your worth to overachievementWhat to do when saying “no” feels like insubordinationHow to push back against toxic expectations (and survive it)The long-overdue shift from lip service to systemic changeThis episode is for anyone who's ever been told they’re "too valuable to lose" while silently falling apart inside.🎙️ Guest: Caroline Dowd-Higgins: Executive Coach, Author & Workplace Wellbeing Advocate📍 Follow Caroline: carolinedowdhiggins.com | @carolinedowdhiggins

Fela didn’t burn out loudly.She went quiet.In this episode, we talk about high performers in toxic workplaces the shame, the brain fog, the fear of retaliation, and the moment pushing harder stops working.Fela shares why burnout isn’t fixed with vacations or surface-level boundaries, how inner work changes everything, and what it really means to build a life and career you don’t need to recover from.A grounded, honest conversation for anyone surviving instead of thriving at work.🎙️ Guest: Fela Rosa: A high performer coach📍 Follow Fela: @corporate_warriorsIf this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show.One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

This episode is a mirror.In a raw, mid-season reflection, Sophie sits down with Sophie Power to talk about burnout that doesn’t look dramatic just numb, relentless, and quietly life-draining.They unpack identity loss, being valued only for usefulness, walking away from work that once defined you, and what it really means to choose yourself after years of overgiving.No lessons. No frameworks.Just two women telling the truth about breaking down and slowly coming home to themselves.🎙️ Guest: Sophie Power - survivor of multiple burnouts📍 Follow Sophie : @sophiepowerIf this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show.One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

Burnout doesn’t always feel like collapse.Sometimes it feels like coping until your body gives up first.In this episode, former HR leader Katrina Bowles shares how chronic burnout led to autoimmune illness, forced rest, and a complete redefinition of ambition, identity, and care. We talk about burnout relapse, listening to the body, healing beyond therapy, and learning to lead yourself before leading others.A grounded, honest conversation for high achievers who are tired of pushing through.🎙️ Guest: Katrina Bowles: sound therapist, breathwork guide & leadership facilitator📍 Follow Katrina: katrinabowles.com | @katrinabowlesIf this episode moved something in you, please follow, rate, or share the show.One honest story at a time helps someone feel less alone.

Hustle can give you momentum but it was never meant to be your permanent address. In this raw, in-progress conversation, founder-turned-creator Amber Gray shares how she recognized burnout in the quiet moments (sleep, stillness, numbness), what quitting alcohol revealed about her body’s signals, and why she ultimately sold her company to choose health over identity. We unpack identity beyond job titles, learning to listen to the body, and building a life where ambition doesn’t cost your nervous system.We talk about:The whisper signs of burnout (and why numbness isn’t “fine”)“Hustle is a season, not an identity” reframing success without self-erasureIdentity limbo: Who am I without my work?Delegation, boundaries, and Amber’s book Firing Yourself (micro “firing” from tasks to reclaim energy)Small steps that build real happiness: nervous system regulation, Qigong, 1% shifts, self-compassionAbout Amber: Founder, writer, and coach exploring a gentler path to achievement. She’s building resources on delegation and focus while letting art and slow creativity lead.

Burnout isn’t a personal failure it’s often a systems problem. In this honest, grounded conversation, Sophie sits down with Katrina, a regenerative coach and strategist, to unpack why so many high performers end up exhausted in cultures that reward output over capacity…and what it takes to rebuild.In this episode:What regenerative leadership really means (beyond KPIs, pizza Fridays, and “earning” rest)How to spot the gap between what a company encourages and what it actually rewardsThe difference between being a winning horse vs. a workhorseTrauma-bonding at work vs. resourcing each other for real changePractical boundaries that prevent collapse (starting with “Do you have capacity for this?”)Treating teams like a nervous system and using culture signals to recalibrate before burnout hitsKey idea: “You can’t heal in a system designed to keep you in survival mode.” If your body’s telling you the truth, listen.If this episode moved you, follow the show, rate it, and share it with someone who needs to hear: It’s not you it’s the system.About Katrina De Angelis:Katrina is a regenerative coach and strategist helping leaders rebuild their relationship with work by restoring balance, trust, and nervous system awareness. Follow her on Instagram @katrina.deangelis.

In this Season 2 premiere of Burnout Detox Kit, Sophie sits down with therapist and coach Martina Witter to explore the power of boundaries as a form of self‑care. Drawing on her upbringing as a Black British Caribbean woman, Martina unpacks how cultural expectations like the “strong Black woman” archetype shape our sense of worth and our ability to say no. She explains why boundaries aren’t selfish – they’re an act of love that preserves your well‑being and allows you to show up authentically for others.Martina and Sophie talk candidly about common emotional barriers, anxiety, shame and fear of failure that keep us over‑working and over‑giving. Martina offers practical ways to unlearn inherited rules, check in with your values, and build non‑negotiable habits (like gym time or sleep) into your week. She reminds us that “saying no is a strength” and that choosing yourself is the first step toward true resilience. Whether you’ve hit burnout before or you’re beginning to feel its pull, this conversation is a compassionate reminder that it’s never too late to draw a line and start healing.

In the season finale of The Burnout Detox Podcast, Joy Langley as a coach, therapist, and speaker, shares a deeply personal truth: burnout isn’t always caused by work. Sometimes, life burns you out first.Joy opens up about losing her son, navigating grief, and the silent pressure to keep going when everything inside is falling apart. Together, we explore why burnout is both personal and public, why fear keeps us from stopping even at the breaking point, and why self-responsibility, not blame, is key to recovery.If you’ve ever felt like you were “keeping it together” on the outside while crumbling on the inside, this conversation will remind you: you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to protect your peace.You can find Joy here -> https://www.joylangley.com/🎧 Listen now to close out Season 1 and get ready for what’s coming in Season 2.

What if your self-care routine is just another thing you’re trying to perfect?In this episode, Amy McCae, a wellness coach, speaker, and former chronic illness patient, shares how her obsession with doing recovery “right” led her into over-healing.She was meditating, journaling, eating clean, working out… and still burning out.Because when healing becomes a checklist, it stops being healing.Together, we explore:→ The trap of performative self-care→ Why perfectionism sneaks into wellness→ The difference between balance and harmony→ The shame high-achievers carry when “doing it all” still isn’t enough→ The power of micro-pauses and emotional honestyIf you’ve been doing all the “right” things and still feel depleted, this is for you.📌 Connect with Amy: www.amymccae.com

What happens when the strong ones break?In this episode, Sophie is joined by Dannielle Haig; business psychologist, psychotherapist, and resilience coach for high-performing women. Dani opens up about hitting burnout while helping others, running her business through the pandemic, and the moment she realized she’d given too much.From collapsing boundaries to emotional depletion, and the silent conditioning women face in the workplace, this conversation is radically honest, fiercely empowering, and deeply human. Dani shares how burnout became her wake-up call and how reclaiming ownership was the first step back.This isn’t just about recovery.It’s about accountability, boundaries, and remembering your power.Find Danielle at www.DannielleHaig.com📌 Topics include:Perfectionism & emotional burnoutThe power of resentment as a signalBoundaries as self-respectWhy women are at higher riskOwnership, choice & female resilience

What happens when you burn out while building a burnout prevention product?In this episode, Sophie speaks with Austin, tech founder, writer, and systems thinker who created a burnout solution inside Slack, only to hit burnout himself. Together, they explore the complexity of purpose-fueled exhaustion, the invisible weight founders carry, and how productivity culture often disguises suffering.Austin shares powerful reflections on energy management, journaling, self-worth, and why recovery isn't a clean break, it’s a series of course corrections. He also introduces a moving metaphor: the blister of burnout, a warning to those who jump back in too soon.If you're a builder, leader, or anyone trying to do meaningful work without losing yourself this one’s for you.📌 Key themes:→ Purpose-fueled burnout→ Energy & wellbeing debt→ The myth of balance vs. polarity→ Journaling as a healing tool→ Community as medicineConnect with Austin here:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-drabik/Personal website / blog — https://www.austindrabik.com/Conjuring Culture — https://conjuringculture.com/

What if recovery isn’t a break from strength but where strength begins?In this powerful episode of The Burnout Detox Podcast, Sophie speaks with Adam Dehaty, a former professional rugby player turned psychologist, about what true resilience really looks like.From the rugby pitch to Nike’s European HQ, Adam’s journey reveals how high performers often confuse pushing with progress and why learning to pause with purpose might be the bravest thing we ever do.Together, we explore:The pressure to endure even when the injury is invisibleHow workplaces can learn from sports: stress + rest = growthThe “messy drawer” metaphor for ending your day with intentionWhy wellbeing isn’t just yoga or apps it’s systemicThe belief Adam had to let go to finally healThis episode is both practical and poetic. A masterclass in redefining strength not as effort, but as alignment.🎧 Whether you're burning out quietly or already deep in recovery, this one is for you.Find Adam here:https://www.adamdehaty.com/

What if leaving the job doesn’t leave the burnout behind?In this raw and real episode, Sophie sits down with burnout survivor Harpreet for an unfiltered, two-way conversation between two high-achieving women who thought they had healed until burnout knocked again.Together, they explore:The guilt and shame of “knowing better” and still crashingHow our identity becomes entangled with workWhy rest isn’t always the answerThe hidden struggles of burnout in menThe moment you realise: survival itself is sacredThis isn’t an expert interview, it’s a moment of truth. A call to reset. A story still unfolding. If you’re in the thick of it, let this be a reminder: you are not alone.🎧 Connect with Harpreet:https://www.openyourreach.com/

What if resilience isn’t about being strong, but about finally feeling safe?In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Pett, a former lawyer turned resilience coach who burned out twice before discovering the truth about what it really takes to recover. Together, we unpack:Why burnout isn't a failure, it's a feedback loopHow shame and overachievement keep us stuckThe real definition of resilience (hint: it’s not toughness)Nervous system awareness and emotional regulationWhy connecting to your values can change everythingAlex’s wisdom is honest, grounded, and deeply human. T🎙️ This one’s for anyone who’s ever pushed through pain just to prove their worth.📲 Follow Alex:Instagram → @alexresiliencecoachWebsite → www.surecoaching.com

“Burnout means something different to all of us, it shows up as shame, silence, even identity loss.”In this episode, I sit down with Neely Kimey to explore how burnout looks for neurodivergent hyper-achievers and why internalized ableism keeps so many of us stuck.We unpack:Neely’s personal burnout journey and the cost of hiding her strugglesHow she turned that pain into a “sandbox” for practicing boundariesWhat recovery really means when worth equals productivityConnect with Neely:Website: www.weird-wired.comTiktok: @neelykimeyLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/neelykimeyYoutube: @neelykimey

Dive into Episode 4 of the Burnout Detox Kit with Hannah Baldwin, a former London trader turned Reiki healer and organizational psychologist. Discover “misalignment burnout,” how your body signals its limits before your mind catches on, and why wellbeing is your non-negotiable foundation. You’ll learn actionable tools, from setting energetic boundaries and taking mindful walks to the power of Reiki, which complements talk therapy and helps you reclaim joy and balance.You can find Hannah here:Website: https://www.wholeofhannah.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholenesswithhannah/Ready to transform stress into self-awareness? ▶ Listen, subscribe, and leave a review!

“What if the pace that fuels your success is what’s burning you out?”In this episode, I sit down with Katherine Baldwin (Coach, Author, Ex- Parliament Journalist) to explore healing from burnout by reclaiming your true self. Katherine reveals how her childhood coping strategies evolved into a high-pressure role following the UK Prime Minister at that time, and why awareness wasn’t enough. We unpack:How hidden coping habits drive adult burnoutSimple strategies to carve out space for real recoveryTransforming identity beyond your to-do listConnect with Katherine:• Website: www.katherinebaldwin.com• Instagram: instagram.com/katherine.baldwin/• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katherine-baldwin-speaker-coach-author/▶ Listen, subscribe, and leave a review!

Join us for Episode 2 of Burnout Detox with somatic psychotherapist Laura Shook Guzman. Discover why driven founders, especially Enneagram Type 2s who are prone to burnout, how to spot early warning signs, and why toxic positivity backfires. Laura shares simple somatic practices to soothe your nervous system and reclaim sustainable energy.Connect with Laura Shook Guzman:• Website: https://www.consciousambition.com/about Conscious Ambition• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciousambition/?hl=en• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurashookguzman LinkedIn▶ Listen now on Spotify, subscribe, and leave a review!

What if the first step to burnout recovery wasn’t doing more… but doing less?In this episode, I sit down with Chris Lovett ; simplicity coach, professional minimalist, and TEDx speaker to explore how decluttering your life can become the most powerful antidote to overwork.Chris shares how one seemingly small moment (stepping on a CD case) sparked a life-changing journey from corporate chaos to intentional living.We unpack:– How minimalism helped him perform better professionally– Why less is more in a culture addicted to “busy”– How to set boundaries when you’re terrified of being seen as “lazy”– Why so many of us are burning out in silence… without even realizing itThis one’s for the overachievers, the people-pleasers, the calendar-maxed high performers.Sometimes, the most radical thing you can do… is stop.🎧 Listen now and find space where you didn’t know you needed it.

Burnout doesn’t just happen overnight. It builds, quietly and relentlessly, until your body, mind, or soul can’t keep up anymore.And when it hits, it can feel like you’ve lost yourself.In this first episode of The Burnout Detox Project, host Sophie Theen shares the story behind why she created this podcast, what burnout really felt like for her (both the first time and the most recent time she didn’t see coming), and the shame, grief, and guilt that no one prepares you for.If you're ready for honest conversations and real recovery, subscribe and let's detox from burnout together.