The Comeback Show

About This EpisodeHave you ever poured your professional energy into creating something for others that you quietly didn't have yourself? Maybe it was flexibility. Maybe it was confidence. For Jenn Fast, for the last three years of her 30-year corporate career, that word was belonging.She was the architect of belonging programs, the person responsible for making sure hundreds of colleagues felt seen, valued, and included. She believed in the work. By most measures, she was good at it. And she carried, underneath all of it, a persistent, low-grade sense of not quite fitting. She could articulate belonging in a presentation. She just couldn't seem to find it in the hallway.In this solo episode, Jenn takes the listener through the full arc: the structural misalignments that compounded over years, the cardiologist who asked whether her job was compatible with her health, the ADHD diagnosis that arrived four months after she left, and the lunch that quietly ended a 30-year career. She also shares what she found on the other side — a kind of belonging she describes as restful, one that doesn't require management or translation. This conversation is for anyone who has been performing belonging somewhere while starving for the real thing.What You'll HearWhy doing deeply meaningful work for others doesn't protect you from being invisible to the system that work lives inWhat the difference actually feels like between the belonging you perform and the belonging you recognize — in your body, before your mind catches upHow chronic stress from a misaligned career shows up as measurable physical damage, not just burnoutThe moment a cardiologist's words reframed the whole question: not “how do I manage my stress better” but “is my job compatible with my health”Why knowing about ADHD sooner may not have changed anything — and what that says about culture versus diagnosisThe quiet lunch that shifted everything — and what real clarity feels like when it finally arrivesWhy real belonging requires intentionality after you leave a structure, and what it looked like to build it from scratchThe two questions that help you notice the gap between where you feel most like yourself and where you spend most of your timeKey Takeaway“What if the exhaustion isn’t about the workload? What if it’s about the distance between who you are and where you’re being asked to show up?”— Jenn FastTimestamps00:00 — Belonging Irony03:22 — The Gap Question03:57 — Stress, Values, and Health05:59 — ADHD and Fit07:33 — The Lunch Moment09:16 — Building New Community10:52 — Performed vs. Real Belonging12:51 — Two Questions Closing14:02 — Reach Out and ShareConnect with Jenn FastJenn mentions ADHD in this episode — and if any of that resonated with you, she has a free Executive Function Self-Assessment that can help you understand how your brain is actually wired. It's free, takes a few minutes, and might give you some real clarity.📱 Instagram: @itsjennfast📧 Email: [email protected]💌 Newsletter: Subscribe to The Comeback Letter on SubstackIf this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who might need it — a friend in the middle of a hard chapter, or a colleague who’s been saying she’s fine for a little too long. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe and leave a review. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

Why Your ADHD Teen Can't Start Homework (It's Not What You Think)About This EpisodeIf you've ever watched your teen sit in front of an open assignment and do absolutely nothing — and felt yourself cycling through frustration, guilt, and confusion — this episode is for you. Because what looks like avoidance, defiance, or not caring is very often something else entirely: a skill gap. And skill gaps can be taught. That's a fundamentally different conversation than the one most families are having at 7pm over a backpack full of missing assignments.Carla See is an executive function coach for teens ages 12 and up, and a former special education educator with more than two decades in the field. What makes her work different isn't just the experience — it's that she's lived this from the inside. Her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD with anxiety, and Carla found herself sitting at that same homework table, watching the same tension build, asking herself the same questions she'd heard from parents for years. That experience changed everything about how she does this work.In this episode, Jenn shares her own family's journey through ADHD and autism diagnoses — and the strange combination of grief and relief that came with finally having language for decades of struggles she'd quietly blamed herself for. Together, Jenn and Carla talk about what executive function actually is, why capable teens get stuck, what parents do that unintentionally makes it worse, and what a different approach looks like — one that builds real skills while protecting the parent-child relationship.What You'll HearWhy a teen who "understands the material" can still be completely unable to start — and what's actually happening in their brain when they freezeThe difference between a skill gap and a choice not to try (and why it matters more than you think)How becoming your teen's reminder system quietly damages your relationship — and what to step into insteadWhy Carla asks parents to stop asking about homework during her program, and the "living document" that makes stepping back feel safe instead of scaryThe one-phrase technique — say it before your teen even starts a task — that builds momentum where reminders never couldWhat resilience actually looks like for exhausted families (hint: it's not positivity, it's persistence)The small, early signs that coaching is working — before grades change, before everything feels fixedWhat Jenn's own recognition moment felt like, and why so many midlife women are carrying silent self-blame that finally has a nameKey Takeaway"Homework will pass. Assignments will pass. Grades will pass. But what you really want to nourish and take care of is the relationship you have with your son or with your daughter."— Carla SeeTimestamps00:00 — When Diagnosis Mirrors You01:10 — Jenn's Family Wake Up02:02 — Meet Carla See03:37 — From Educator to Mom05:44 — Why Go Solo Online08:37 — The Homework Table Click10:47 — Executive Function Explained13:47 — Skill Gap or Defiance15:07 — Grief, Relief, Recognition17:58 — Stop Policing Homework20:29 — When Parents Over-Function22:27 — Stepping Back With Structure24:45 — Why She Says "Class"26:27 — Building Teen Trust27:14 — Praise Effort Fast28:59 — Trust Fuels Learning29:20 — Resilience With Compassion32:01 — Personal Resilience Story35:30 — You Are Not Failing36:54 — When to Get Help37:58 — Signs Support Works39:39 — Adult Self Discovery42:34 — What Families Keep44:34 — Small Moments Matter47:24 — Closing ResourcesConnect with Carla SeeWebsite — ADHD Teen Executive Function CoachLinktree — coaching program, resources, and all linksConnect with Jenn FastIf anything in this episode made you wonder about your own executive function, Jenn has a free self-assessment for adults — a gentle starting place for naming what you've been living with:→ Free Adult EF Self-AssessmentJenn is also writing a book called Executive Function Unlocked, with a course to accompany it. Join the waitlist to hear about it first:→ Executive Function Unlocked WaitlistInstagram: @itsjennfastEmail: [email protected] this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share it with a parent who needs to hear it, and consider leaving a five-star review — it helps more families find the show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

Episode 7 Show Notes — Tracey Willingham (That Hormone Girl)Episode Title:When Your Body Changes the Rules: Hormones, Self-Trust, and Speaking Up in Midlife---About This EpisodeHave you ever walked out of a doctor's appointment feeling more dismissed than when you walked in? Or spent months second-guessing yourself, wondering if you were making it all up — only to realize that the second-guessing itself is a symptom?In Episode 7, host Jenn Fast welcomes Tracey Willingham — hormone health advocate, licensed social worker, and host of the That's Not Very Ladylike podcast — for a conversation that is equal parts permission slip and practical toolkit.Tracey left her VP role at a nonprofit after years of unaddressed perimenopause symptoms and a healthcare system that kept telling her everything was normal. She built her work, her brand, and her "Speak Up Membership" from that lived experience — and she is boldly, unapologetically not here to make anyone comfortable.This is not just a hormone conversation. It's a conversation about identity, burnout, self-trust, and what it means to stop shrinking yourself to stay comfortable for everyone else.---What You'll Hear- Why women who are already on HRT still seek Tracey out — and what that reveals about what's missing- How hormonal shifts affect far more than physical symptoms: identity, relationships, work, and self-trust- Why the self-doubt and second-guessing you feel right now is a symptom, not a character flaw- Practical tools for speaking up in medical appointments — including the power of silence, bringing an advocate, and how to use the patient portal to create a paper trail- Why HR works for the company (and what to do instead)- What "unladylike on purpose" actually means — and what it costs women to stay ladylike- Tracey's "Speak Up Membership" — combining AI-based coaching tools, human support, and community for healthcare, workplace, and personal conversations- The concept of "second puberty" — and why midlife is actually your most powerful reinvention window---Key Takeaway"Whatever you're experiencing right now — it is real. It doesn't have to make sense to exist."— Tracey Willingham---Timestamps- 00:00 — The moment the old rules stopped working- 00:49 — Meet Tracey Willingham (That Hormone Girl)- 02:16 — Why she quit her nonprofit VP job- 04:08 — What "unladylike on purpose" really means- 07:07 — Hormones beyond physical symptoms- 09:31 — Self-blame, shame, and why women carry everyone else's feelings- 11:38 — Second-guessing as a symptom- 13:21 — What "speaking up" actually looks like (with yourself, your doctor, your partner, at work)- 17:22 — How to prepare for a doctor's appointment so you don't leave feeling dismissed- 21:05 — Advocacy scripts that work: silence, pausing, pushing back on "normal"- 25:01 — The Speak Up Membership: what it is, who it's for, and how the AI coaching works- 31:44 — Midlife as a "second puberty" — and what that means for you- 34:10 — Final thoughts and how to connectIf today's episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share it with a woman who needs to hear it, and leave a five-star review. It helps other women find this show.Connect with Tracey:* Speak Up Membership* Instagram: @thathormonegirl* That’s Not Very Ladylike Podcast* Tracey’s Everything PageWant support with your own midlife hormone foundation?I put together the Menopause Foundations Program for exactly this moment — when you know something has shifted and you’re ready to understand it, address it, and build from it.👉 Learn more hereConnect with Jenn FastWebsite: reinventionwithjennfast.comIf you have any questions or are interested in being on this show, please reach to me at [email protected]: @reinventionwithjennfastAs always — I’m glad you’re here.Jenn Fast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

What happens when your life looks full on paper—but no longer feels like yours?In this episode of The Comeback Show, I’m joined by my longtime friend Melissa Whitaker for a deeply honest conversation about midlife reinvention, identity shifts, burnout, body wisdom, and what it looks like to begin again without blowing up your whole life.Melissa and I have known each other since the 3rd grade. We lost touch for decades and recently reconnected while both moving through major life transitions. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to outgrow an old version of yourself, how to rebuild self-trust, and why becoming can feel messy before it feels freeing.Melissa shares her path from being an energy healer for 27 years to stepping fully into life coaching after years of helping run family restaurants through financial stress, Covid, and a devastating flood that changed everything. We talk about how women can tell the difference between burnout, boredom, and deeper misalignment—and how healing often begins by listening to the body, calming the nervous system, setting boundaries, and choosing self-compassion over self-abandonment.We also talk about perimenopause, community, fear, possibility, and the slow, sustainable kind of change that actually lasts.If your old life no longer fits, this episode is for you.In this episode, we cover:What it means to outgrow an old identity in midlifeHow to tell the difference between burnout, boredom, and misalignmentWhy body wisdom matters when you’re trying to make aligned decisionsThe role of boundaries, nervous system support, and self-compassion in reinventionWhy change does not have to be chaotic to be realHow community and honest conversation can support major life transitionsWhy it is never too late to begin againConnect with MelissaIf you need support in that process, Melissa is offering complimentary consultations. Check out her website and book a session here:  https://www.innerjourneyhealingcoach.com/ Follow Melissa and Inner Journey Coaching on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/inner.journeycoaching Connect with JennWebsite:  reinventionwithjennfast.com If you’re interested in being on the show or have questions, reach out at:  [email protected] Timestamps00:00 Becoming Someone New00:42 Reconnecting With Melissa02:09 Healer Origins03:56 Restaurant Years06:40 Last Straw At 5009:57 Flood And Rebuild12:06 Burnout Or Outgrowing14:10 Body Wisdom And Burnout18:27 Midlife Compassion Shift22:18 Growth Feels Uncomfortable27:07 Pressure to Perform28:20 Boundaries and Body Trust29:34 Self Compassion Over Guilt31:58 Aligned Change Without Chaos35:38 Reconnection Through Somatics38:16 Community and Midlife Support41:22 Never Too Late to Begin44:50 Holding Fear and Possibility46:50 Imposter Syndrome and Showing Up47:38 Trust Yourself TakeawaySubscribe and ShareIf this episode resonated, subscribe to The Comeback Show, share it with a friend, and pass it along to the woman who needs the reminder that she is not too old, too late, or too broken to begin again. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

This week, we’re diving deep into holistic health as the cornerstone of true reinvention.Progress Isn’t LinearI’ll be honest: since retiring early and moving back in September, I’ve hit a plateau on my health journey. At a recent check-in, my weight loss doctor reminded me that progress is about more than numbers—my muscle mass was up, and I hadn’t regained significant weight.Why Holistic Health MattersIf you’ve ever struggled with a plateau or felt like your progress was stalling, you’re not alone. My latest article, Why Holistic Health Matters: The First Step in Your Reinvention Journey, explores why it’s essential to look at the whole picture—body, mind, and routines—when you’re rebuilding after burnout or life transitions.Wellness Experiments: Four-Week Review of Primal Queen Goddess Creatine Bites (Video 6)In video 6 of my Wellness Experiments series, I’m sharing my honest four-week check-in with Primal Queen Goddess Creatine Bites (affiliate link). If you’re curious about creatine’s impact on energy, sleep, mental clarity, or muscle support—especially for women—this is for you.March Collaborations & GrowthMy own Outer Reinvention journey includes building a business of my own, and part of my strategy for 2026 includes leveraging my network in collaborations and speaking at virtual summits. I’m excited to be part of several collaborations this month (will share any links as they go live, so make sure you’re following):* Everyday Balance Bundle (March 16–22): More tools for finding daily equilibrium. I’m contributing my Comeback Recipe Collection Volume 1 as a free gift...And I’m contributing my Comeback Year Month 1 Reset Kit - Fresh Starts & Gentle Goals for those who upgrade to the VIP experience.* Beyond Corporate Burnout Summit (March 17–19): I’m presenting on “Lived Experience Eats Theory for Breakfast,” and sharing my Comeback Year Month 1 Reset Kit.* Aligned Life Summit (March 23–27): I’ll share my Blueprint for Burnout Recovery Email Mini-Course, and my presentation is titled, “Aligned Productivity After Burnout: Build a Weekly System Your Nervous System Can Keep.”Thanks to these collabs, my email list has grown by 384% since January 1st! I’ll share more behind-the-scenes of my growth strategy in an upcoming Outer Reinvention series.If you’re interested in collaborating or need a speaker for your event, please reach out! ([email protected]). I’m also always looking for podcast guests or be a podcast guest.Resources & RecommendationsA few favorite resources making a difference in my journey:* Oura Ring: My go-to for tracking sleep, recovery, and gentle accountability—use my link for a discount.* Primal Queen: Goddess Creatine Bites, PQ-7 appetite support, and beef organ nourishment.* Inner Journey Coaching: Melissa has been my friend for over 30 years, and specializes in mindset and empowerment coaching for business owners—book a free consult.* Ayla’s Podcast: I joined Not That Kind of CEO to talk boundaries, burnout, and self-support.Some links are affiliate links. I only recommend what I genuinely use and love.Stay ConnectedDon’t miss upcoming resources, collab links, and the Outer Reinvention series—make sure you’re subscribed. And if you have a story, win, or question, reply here or comment on socials.We’re in this together—one gentle reset at a time.-Jenn Fast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

Timestamps:* 00:00 Three Brands Merge* 01:14 New Podcast Home* 01:59 Sunday Reset Reality* 02:54 White Space Matters* 03:32 Rest And Tiny Proofs* 04:38 Capacity Honoring Mission* 05:12 March Events Lineup* 07:05 Tools And Weekly Reflection* 07:54 Closing EncouragementIf you're catching this on a platform that doesn't provide all the notes or links, please find us at comebackletter.substack.com!Welcome to the Comeback Letter & Show—a sanctuary where we collectively explore the art of reinvention. In our latest episode, we’ve merged the worlds of Hungry AF and Productive AF into a cohesive journey: Reinvention with Jenn Fast. This new chapter is about integrated living, where health, productivity, and mindset are harmonized—not compartmentalized.Three Brands Merge: A Journey of ReinventionIf you’ve been with me from the start, you’ll remember that, until recently, Hungry AF, Productive AF, and ItsJennFast once stood as distinct brands. Each served a unique purpose: exploring nutrition and the joys of cooking, navigating career pivots and entrepreneurship, and delving into lifestyle. Today, I’m so pleased to be unifying these experiences into one journey of outer and inner reinvention.New Podcast Home: Your Holistic ResourceThis first episode since the podcast’s transformation brings our entire community under one roof. Whether you’re here for wellness strategies and recipes, productivity and entrepreneurship that honors neurodiversity, or stories of midlife reinvention, there’s something for everyone. Reinvention with Jenn Fast is your refuge for real-life guidance and support in your comeback season, and the Comeback Letter and Show are the official newsletter and podcast. Here, we choose integration over compartmentalization.Sunday Reset Reality: Behind the ScenesTo show what integrated, capacity-honoring living looks like, I’m sharing my own Sunday reset ritual. Far from a jam-packed schedule, this approach embraces both rhythm and flexibility—a strategy I detail in my latest article, “Inner Reinvention: My Sunday Reset Ritual to Recover from Burnout”. My schedule includes daily motivational summaries and gentle anchors that provide structure without rigidity. Dive into the article for a comprehensive approach to beating burnout.White Space Matters: The Power of IntentionalityBeyond what’s visible on paper lies intentional white space—unscheduled time for what matters most in the moment, whether that’s spending time with family, tending to houseplants or winding down with a hobby. Radical self-trust and openness to spontaneity are keys to overcoming the notorious Sunday scaries.Rest and Tiny Proofs: Essentials for WellbeingThe article dives deeper into the misunderstood phenomenon of rest. Rest isn’t a reward for productivity—it’s a necessity, fulfilled by tiny rituals I call “tiny proofs.” Every gentle choice counts, and consistency trumps intensity for building a sustainable lifestyle. You’ll find a detailed walkthrough of my actual Sunday schedule, designed to nourish body and soul without bowing to hustle culture.Capacity Honoring Mission: A Commitment to AuthenticityConsolidating my brands wasn’t just logistical—it was a heartfelt commitment to model capacity-honoring living. Through this podcast, I aim to create a sanctuary for shared experience, practical frameworks, and community bonding. If you have a reinvention story or ritual to share, I’d love to feature you as a guest.March Events Lineup: Exciting OpportunitiesLooking ahead, here’s where I’m showing up in the month of March to continue to build our community and share resources:* 30 Days of Experiments Bundle (3/15–3/30): Featuring my 6 Days to Niche Clarity Email Mini-Course.* Beyond Corporate Burnout Virtual Summit (3/17–3/19): My talk “Lived Experience Eats Theory for Breakfast” and The Comeback Year Month 1 Reset Kit.* March Freebie Bonanza Bundle (3/22–3/28): My 60 High-Protein Snack Ideas for Real Life ebook.* Aligned Life Summit (3/23–3/27): My session “Aligned Productivity After Burnout” and the Blueprint for Burnout Recovery Email Mini-Course.Subscribe to emails and follow on socials for links when they go live!Tools and Reflection: Your Weekly InvitationAs we step into a new week, here are a few reflection prompts:* What small but meaningful reset can you incorporate?* Where could you introduce white space for rest or pleasure?* How might you honor your capacity by shifting plans or asserting boundaries?Journal your reflections, or share them with our community—your stories are valuable experience.Resource SpotlightSo before we wrap, I want to share some of these resources that I mentioned in the podcast, that I’m hearing from the community were useful. Some are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to try them—at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend what I genuinely use and love.* Weekly Dashboard Pads: Life Charge Weekly To Do List Planner and Colorful Undated Weekly Planner—both are perfect for gentle planning and keeping priorities clear without overwhelm.* Oura Ring: My favorite health tracker for sleep, recovery, and gentle accountability—use my link for a discount.* Primal Queen: Women’s supplements designed for real life, especially the Goddess Creatine Bites and PQ-7 appetite support.* Ayla’s Podcast: I joined “Not That Kind of CEO” to talk about boundaries, burnout, and why rest isn’t selfish—give it a listen if you need a gentle permission slip.* Inner Journey Coaching: My friend Melissa specializes in mindset and empowerment, especially for small business owners—book a free consult if you need extra support.* Descript (podcast/video editing): I am a certified video editing expert on the platform, so my followers get 50% off for 2 monthsRemember, progress is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m here with you, celebrating small victories as we chart our course back to clarity together. Reach out, share your stories, and become part of the Comeback Letter and Show. Until next time, embrace tiny proofs, forge new rhythms, and discover the gentle path back to clarity.-Jenn Fast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

Welcome to the Comeback Letter—a curated digest of the biggest lessons, stories, and real-life wins from the content cycle these past two weeks. (Including my birthday week!) Each edition brings together the posts, frameworks, and community highlights that shaped my own journey and (hopefully) offer some clarity, encouragement, and practical tools for yours.This edition’s focus: What it really looks like to rebuild after burnout and step into midlife with more honesty, gentleness, and progress over perfection. From redefining consistency and clarity, to celebrating the messy wins that matter most, here’s what’s been happening—and how you can join in.Want to hear the full story and more details in my own voice? Listen to this week’s Comeback Show episode, linked above.Birthday Plans & Unexpected ChangesThis year, turning 52 brought a kind of honesty I haven’t allowed myself before. The most “real AF” moment? Realizing I no longer felt the need to perform “birthday girl” for anyone—not at work, not for family, not online. In the past, I’d push through celebrations, fake the smiles, and feel guilty for not loving the attention or the cake. This year, being sick gave me permission to say, “I’m not feeling up to celebrating. Can we postpone until I’m better?”What changed? I let myself rest. I skipped the social posts. I honored what I actually needed—and it felt like a gift.Consistency in Midlife: The Shift That Changed EverythingPost: Burnout Recovery in Midlife: The “Consistency” Shift That Finally Made My Life SustainableKey Takeaway: The old high-functioning version of me was not okay. There was a constant misalignment between the identity I had built and the person I could feel myself wanting to become.Quote: “Consistency isn’t intensity. Consistency is a floor you can meet.”Frameworks for Recovery and ProductivityPost: Midlife Clarity at 52: 4 Frameworks That Helped Me Go from Chaos to Calm and Build Authentic Productivity After BurnoutOver the past year, I’ve built a set of frameworks that helped me get through even the messiest weeks—like my birthday week, when illness forced me to set everything aside. Here’s how they played out in real life…Frameworks:* Permission to Pause Audit: I’m someone who can hyper-focus for hours, ignoring hunger, fatigue, and even pain. I’ve learned to set reminders to pause every 60–90 minutes and check in with myself. That’s how I caught my illness early during birthday week—by actually listening to my body and honoring what it needed, not just pushing through. Stop, check in with your body, and decide if you’re good to proceed or need to shift your plans. It’s a reset for clarity and well-being.* Minimum Viable Day: When I was sick, my Minimum Viable Day became my compass. I focused only on caring for myself and my family, letting everything else go without guilt. This framework reminded me that sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest and recover.* Two-Way Plans: As I started to feel better, I used Two-Way Plans to gently re-enter my routines. Each day, I had a high-capacity plan (if I woke up with energy) and a low-capacity plan (if I needed to go slow). No matter what, I could move forward without overdoing it or feeling like I’d failed.* Clarity-to-Confidence Cycle: his cycle is about moving from confusion to action, then back to clarity and self-trust. When I’m stuck, I pause, ask what matters most, take the smallest step I can, and reflect. During recovery, this meant celebrating tiny wins—like getting out of bed or sending one thoughtful message. Clarity feels like a deep breath; confidence is the exhale.These aren’t just theories—they’re the scaffolding that held me up when everything else was falling away. If you want to dive deeper, you’ll find more on each in the full post and this week’s podcast.Community and Bold ActionsPost: Midlife Comeback Stories: Real AF Wins & Community After BurnoutSpotlight: My biggest win is finally achieving the lifestyle I’ve always dreamed of. But the real magic is in the community: women taking bold, imperfect action and putting themselves and their families first. The myth I want to bust? You don’t have to wait until you’re “ready.” Action itself prepares you for what’s next.Last Call: January Reset KitIf you’ve been meaning to give yourself a gentle reset this year, this is your last call to grab the Comeback Year January Reset Kit: Fresh Starts & Gentle Goals before the February kit drops!This self-guided bundle is all about helping you set clear, flexible goals and rebuild with structure that actually fits your life—not someone else’s. It’s perfect if you’re craving a fresh start, need a little support after burnout, or want to try a new approach that’s gentle, not hustle-y.👉 Get the January Reset Kit before it’s gone »Final ThoughtsAs we close out this edition, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect:What’s your real AF win this week?Is there a framework here you’re willing to try—even in a small way?And what’s one thing you’re ready to let go of, so you can move forward with a little more gentleness?If you found this newsletter and podcast helpful, I’d love for you to subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a reply with your own reflections. Your story might inspire someone else next edition.Thank you for being here. Remember: progress over perfection is real, you’re not alone, and you belong in this community.Wishing you a week of honest wins and gentle progress,Jenn FastPodcast Show Notes & LinksFinding Clarity and Confidence During Life’s Unexpected TurnsIn this episode of the Comeback Show, host Jenn Fast reflects on her 52nd birthday, initially planned as a quiet at-home celebration. However, a sudden illness led to a week of rest and prompted a deeper understanding of priorities and self-care. Jenn shares her personal journey from burnout to authentic productivity, emphasizing the importance of rest, self-reflection, and flexible planning. She introduces several frameworks, such as the Permission to Pause Audit, Minimum Viable Day, Two-Way Plans, and the Clarity to Confidence Cycle, which help manage life changes and maintain consistency without intensity. Jenn also discusses the significance of finding a supportive community, recounting inspiring stories of women taking bold actions to prioritize their families and personal growth. The episode advocates for gentle resets and actionable steps to rebuild one’s life mindfully.Mentioned in this episode:If I Were Starting Again Reflection Series: Feb 5-28, a free event featuring 17 business owners as they reflect on what they’d do differently - including yours truly!A recently released episode of Ayla’s podcast “Not That Kind of CEO” where we dig into what happens when mompreneurs try to operate like high-level executives without the support systems those roles actually have. We talk about the physical cost of pushing through stress, why boundaries feel selfish, and how to redesign your systems so you’re not constantly falling apart.Time Stamps:00:00 Birthday Plans and Unexpected Changes00:49 Introduction to The Comeback Show01:31 A Week of Rest and Realization03:27 Frameworks for Recovery and Productivity07:02 Community and Bold Actions08:42 January Reset Kit and Final ThoughtsP.S. Resources & Tools I Love & Actually Use:* Descript – My go-to for editing podcasts and video content with less stress and more ease. (Try it: 50% off for 2 months!) Why I use it: Descript lets me create and share my story even on low-capacity days, and I’m proud to be a certified video editing expert on their platform.* Skool: Join a movement of 172k passionate people earning $1+ billion per year building communitiesThese are affiliate links, but I only recommend what I genuinely use and trust to support my own journey. Thanks for supporting this work! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com

The sentence that broke the spellThere’s a moment that lives in my body like a bruise you can’t quite forget.I’m at my desk on the last day before a long weekend. The company just wrapped a successful fundraising season. People are celebrating. I’m plugging away, doing what I always did—keeping the machine moving.And I overhear a conversation that changes everything.The CEO asks my boss how the celebration lunch went.My boss mentions the names of the attendees, including my name.And the CEO says:“Why was Jenn Fast there?”Not Who is Jenn? (Bad enough, but somehow not as bad.)Not Oh, great—Jenn was there.Just… why was I there.In that one sentence, I realized something I’d been trying not to know: after decades of doing everything hustle culture told me to do—being reliable, being indispensable, being the person who handled it—I was still invisible.And my body was done negotiating.If you’ve ever had a moment like that—where something small makes the whole truth impossible to ignore—this letter is for you.Because the truth is: burnout doesn’t always show up as a dramatic collapse. Sometimes it shows up as a quiet, devastating clarity.If you want the full story in my voice, press play on Episode 1 above.If you’d rather read first, keep going—I’ll walk you through the three posts that set the foundation for this comeback season.If you’re new here (welcome)The Comeback Letter is a weekly note for women rebuilding after burnout and life transitions—when you’re functioning on the outside, but you feel untethered on the inside.No hustle. No perfection. No “just wake up earlier” energy.Just honest stories, practical resets, and permission to start small.And today, I’m doing something simple: I’m giving you the three posts that set the foundation for this entire comeback season—so you can read them in order, at your pace.Think of this as your Start Here path—three reads, in order, whenever you have capacity.Also: this edition pairs with Episode 1 of The Comeback Show (included above), where I tell the full story behind that sentence and the myths I had to unlearn to survive.The 3 posts that explain everything (in order)1) The moment I knew I had to change (Clarity in Action)“Why I Walked Away from a Six-Figure Biotech Career (and What I Found on the Other Side)”This is the post where I tell the truth about the moment I stopped trying to “push through” and started listening to what my body had been saying for years.It’s not a “quit your job and follow your dreams” story.It’s a “my life was incompatible with my health” story.Read it here: https://jfriedmanfast.com/2025/12/09/why-i-walked-away-from-a-six-figure-biotech-career-and-what-i-found-on-the-other-side/ 2) The hustle culture lies I believed (Authentic Productivity)“Hustle Culture Lies: The Productivity Myths That Almost Destroyed Me”This is the backbone of Episode 1—and honestly, it’s the post I wish I could send back in time to the version of me who thought exhaustion was proof of worth.In it, I name the myths that kept me trapped:* that doing more makes you more valuable* that rest has to be earned* that perfectionism is a virtue* that you have to perform busyness to be taken seriouslyIf you’ve been living under any of those rules, I want you to know: you’re not weak. You were trained.Read it here: https://jfriedmanfast.com/2025/12/15/hustle-culture-lies-the-productivity-myths-that-almost-destroyed-me/ 3) The mindset shifts that rebuilt my self-trust (Empowered Mindset)“The Blueprint for Burnout Recovery: 5 Mindset Shifts That Rebuilt My Self-Trust”This is the “okay, but what now?” post.Because insight is powerful… but it doesn’t automatically rebuild your life. Self-trust gets rebuilt through small decisions you keep.This post is the beginning of the framework I teach inside The Comeback Collective—and it’s designed to help you stop living in survival mode without needing a dramatic overhaul.Read it here: https://jfriedmanfast.com/2025/12/19/the-blueprint-for-burnout-recovery-5-mindset-shifts-that-rebuilt-my-self-trust/ A small reset (no journaling required)Before you click away, try this:What’s the hustle-culture rule you’re still living under—without realizing it?Just name it. That’s it.Naming it is how you start loosening its grip.For me, it was: “If I’m not producing, I’m failing.”What’s yours?If you want to, hit reply with your answer. One sentence is enough. I read every reply.A community win (because small wins count here)Starting next week, I’m going to feature tiny comeback wins—because “I took a nap” and “I asked for help” and “I didn’t spiral today” are not small things when you’re rebuilding.If you want to be featured, reply with:* your win (tiny is welcome)* your season (survival / recovery / rebuild)* name or anonymousComing up next weekAfter January 1, we begin something new.I’m starting a quiet, month-by-month reset series—one supportive bundle at a time—designed for women rebuilding after burnout and life transitions. No pressure to keep up, no dramatic overhauls… just steadier footing and one doable next step when you’re ready.In the meantime, I hope you get a peaceful close to 2025. I’m really glad you’re here.After January 1, we’ll start building—gently, one doable step at a time.— JennNote: This newsletter shares personal experience and educational information. It isn’t medical, mental health, or professional advice.Episode 1 quick guide (timestamps):00:00 Introduction: A Moment of Clarity00:35 Welcome to The Comeback Show01:15 The Reality of Hustle Culture02:13 The Breaking Point02:58 The Decision to Leave04:18 The Aftermath and New Beginnings05:41 Debunking Hustle Culture Myths07:32 Acknowledging Privilege and Offering Support08:37 Engage with The Comeback Collective This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com